Contest Comments

What a way to end the 2011 season.  In the early pre-contest hours there was a bit of a breeze and there was a question as to whether the sun was going to shine.  Many of you were bundled up prepared for the worst.  Our 3 term president Mart “Lazarus” Falarsky returned from the dead to finish the season in style.  It was good to see him well, vertical and still among the living.  All the way around the turnout was excellent.  We had a good showing from the Bay Area boys, and a special announcement was made regarding Bobby McGowan, who qualified for the U.S F3J team after finishing 3^rd recently in Florida.  This means he will be representing Team U.S.A. in South Africa next summer.  Congratulations to you Bob.  So by about 10:30 the sun came out and the jackets came off.  The format was 4 rounds of 5, 7, 9 and 11 minutes, to be flown in any order.  Everyone seemed to be loitering after the pilots meeting so I decided to set the example and launch.  After all how hard can it be getting 5 minutes in the brisk air?  Wahoo! Got my 11 minute task done.  Turns out, my rookie partner and I did our times in reverse order.  The rest of the day got warmer and wind subsided to where it was just right.  Not bad for November.  The Sportsman class was won by rookie sensation Lawrence Trokle, another one of Marty’s students.  But in all fairness his score was the same a Jim Rolle’s.  Dudley couldn’t figure out why his computer allowed a winner if the scores were tied.  I offered to settle the matter with a sudden death “land-off. “  To that Rolle said “in that case I loose” so that was that.  Nice flying Jim all the same.  The expert class was won by Steve Clasen.  The master’s class was won by Aaron Lewis from the Bay area followed by Scott Meader then JT. (only 4 points between them).  The dogs and trimmings were fantbulous as always; provided by Chef Boy Our Bob.  It was a great finish to another great season of soaring competition at SVSS.  You all deserve a big round of applause for another great year.  Next week A.L.E.S.  See you all there.  Kipp Geisler

What  pleasant surprise today was.  Earlier in the week we were discussing how, in the event of rain, we were going to juggle a postponement of the club contest with the ALES event scheduled for next Saturday.  Not only was a postponement unnecessary, the day was delightful for flying.  More like Spring than November.  Just look at the background sky in the picture above.  Guys on the east coast, would surrender their left huevo for a November day like this.  Rich Beardsley and Bill Curry did a fantastic job of grooming the field days before the contest.  The grass looked like it was manicured.  Kipp Geisler was the CD for our last contest of the season.  We had 28 pilots flying four rounds without a single mishap.  Everyone went home with their plane intact.  Compared to some of the "Wild 'n Crazy" formats we've seen in 2011, November was very gentile.  Four rounds, 5, 7, 9, & 11 minutes in any order with a standard 100 point landing tape.   A slight breeze from the north helped everyone practice their downwind thermaling skills.  We saw some planes get waaaay up there!  I thought I flew a hellava contest today until I looked at the scores.  How often does it happen that you get a normalized score of 98.2 and wind up in 10th place overall???  Eleven guys, almost half the pack, got scores of 98 and better.  Bless the cook!  Bob Mosher was back at the grill this month workin' his briquette magic.  A huge round of applause broke out when he told us he'll continue in his capacity as "Chef - Boy Our Bob" for the 2012 season.  That was the best news of the day and the main reason why I always buy a season pass.  While the scores were being tabulated, President Falarski held a brief club meeting, his last, in an unprecedented 3-year team as Club President.  We owe Mr. Falarski a huge vote of thanks for his service to our club!  Let me be the first.  Thank you Mr. Falarski. Dudley Dufort

It was a swell well run contest as usual with great weather and good flying conditions.  Thanks to all who helped make it happen, flow smoothly.  Lou Fox

It turned out to be a great flying day to settle the dust in all of the various club contest races.  Lift was very available and the top scores came down to landings.  Kipp's "That's Odd" contest format made it a bit challenging with decisions continuously needed during each flight as to would another 2 minutes be possible.  In the end, it was.  And Chez Bob was open for NorCal's greatest hotdog fest.  In Arnie's words, "I'll be back."  Jim Thomas

Great contest.  Good early support.  Good CD, firm but fair.  Very, very challenging air.  First flight was an easy 11. Then 4:35 on a 5:00.  Barney loves you!  Juan Mota

I think this is the best contest that Jim Rolle has flown.  He was on fire with his landings and never had a problem with the air.  He flew very well today.  There was some great flying today.  I saw a great save by Bruce (SBSS).  NICE! My dogs, Charley and Abbey have a great time at the field and they almost caught a ground squirrel and flushed out  a couple of Jack rabbits and most importantly, helped set up the winches.  Bruce Moore

Today's contest started with overcast skies, but this was far better than the rains that had been projected just a few days ago.  As the day progressed, we had one very nice day for the final contest of the season.  Lift was elusive for some of the rounds and fortunately Kipp let the pilots choose the flight order for the 5, 7, 9, and 11 minute rounds.  Many kudos to the field crew for their efforts all summer long, as well as for chef Bob who had warm dogs ready to greet the flyers as they finished their final rounds. Aric Wilmunder

What a great day! It looked foreboding at the start, but after my first flight of 11:01 and a 96 point landing,  I felt better. I was aided by a good timer with thermal sniffing dogs .. I have a new respect for chef Bob after attempting to duplicate his effort. Great dogs and potato salad, but no cookies. It was good see Marty at the field, Dorothy will  never learn from me that he violated house arrest and flew.  Jim Rolle