This Region V West contest was a very demanding one. It required the best of every pilot. My congratulations to those who topped the field, they did an exceptional job of reading the weather and finding the energy lines. Fernando Silva came in first, Frank Paynter second, and Mamad Takallu third. All very experienced contest pilots. Frank was working the finer points of his new 18M ship.

Stormy morning—Photo by Frank Paynter (TA)

The weather was beautiful all the days of our contest; still the low ceilings and weak thermals made the tasks challenging. Our venerable Contest Director, Francois Pin, missed nothing in understanding the conditions and calling tasks that gave the skilled a solid chance to complete them. Others, YHS (Your Humble Servant) included, landed out or cut short the task to return to Chilhowee. Despite the multiple out-landings, all gliders returned without incident. The Nationals had three no-fly days due to weather.

Weather forecasts, by Fernando were spot on; some days improved a bit from the morning predictions but were generally characteristic of our flights. The last day was the best and the task speeds showed it.

Messrs Paynter and Mittel (aka TA and BZ)—Photo by Rand Baldwin (NN)

All in all a very well run contest. Sarah Arnold and crew did a great job.