Page 43 - MFW Dec 2024

Words by Joe Wurts Aneil Patel & Chris Kaiser
Joe Wurts
What a wonderful four days of weather for flying
Soarchamps this year in Hawkes Bay! We had an
ambitious schedule for this year’s Soarchamps, with a
total of seven events scattered over four days. We flew all
events, with zero weather issues, other than a winch
change on the first day, which was expected due to the
weather prediction for the day. It was very nice to see a
couple of new faces to Soarchamps, as well as a few that David Ackery Peter Mcevoy & Joe Wurts
had not been for a few years.

Day 1: Thursday F3B the Formula 1 of Soaring!
The weather forecast had SW winds in the morning,
changing to NE around 11 AM. When arriving on the field,
the SW wind as moderately strong, so we set up to launch
into the wind, knowing that we would be changing later.
Everyone was helpful in getting the sighting bases set up,
and we started with flying duration, with 11 competitors.
After a single slot, the wind changed as per the weather
predictions. So, we flipped the winches 180 degrees, and
the sighting base A became base B and vice versa. We
flew two rounds of duration, then broke for lunch which
was catered by Joe with smoked brisket sandwiches.
Rowdy got the perfect flight award for an exact 10 minutes
and a 100 landing, taking some points off Joe. Peter Glassey & Peter Williams Andrew Hiscock & Richard Thompson
F3B Results
Rowdy procured a new wireless signal system for 1 Joe Wurts 5942 6 David James 5576
distance and speed, which was used for the first time in 2 Peter Williams 5795 7 Andrew Stiver 5168
this event. There were a few niggling issues, but the 3 Kevin Botherway 5729 8 Stew Cox 5126
consensus was that it will be a far superior system once 4 Peter Glassey 5693 9 Pete Brown 4471
we get a couple details sorted. Thanks Kev! After lunch, 5 Richard Thompson 5691 10 Andrew Hiscock 3878
we flew two rounds of distance. It was very surprising that 11 Rob Morgan 3273
we had so many ties in distance, so many 1000 scores!
David James did the highest number of laps during the two Day 2 Friday eRES and F3J
rounds with 24 in the second round, with Stew Cox getting We started the morning with flying eRES, with 11
20 laps. Stinky did a great job taking a lap off Joe for one competitors. The conditions were nice with little wind. That
of the few non-tied slots in the first round. Then we flew is, after the first slot which had some very difficult light
two rounds of speed. Joe flew a clean 16.64, with Richard thermals. After a couple of rounds, it was apparent that
Thompson doing 18.01, Peter Williams with 18.20 and landing accuracy in both time and position were going to
Andrew Stiver at 18.76 for the sub 20 second flights in the decide the results. Joe ended up with two perfect flights
first round. In the second round, Joe did 17.53, with Peter (5:00 and 50 landing), with Kev having one perfect flight.
Glassey close at 17.73, Kevin Botherway at 18.64, and Friday’s hot lunch was pulled pork with various sides and
Peter Williams at 19.68. was well received.

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