[NSRCA-discussion] WC '07

[Bryan Kennedy]

Great Report Earl
 
Thanks so very much, and Congratulations to the entire USA Team. We are
all very proud of you.
 
Regards

Bryan Kennedy
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Earl
Haury
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 1:19 PM
To: Discussion List, NSRCA
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] WC '07
 
Made it home from Argentina this morning, a bit tired from a long drive
yesterday, a long wait at the airport, and a long nite on the airplane.
The WC was completely worth the effort. The posts so far do not begin to
describe the huge amount of work, the superb flying, and awesome
accomplishment of Team USA!
 
The Team spent huge amounts of time at the practice field flying in
conditions (wind, sun, dark, cold) most wouldn't even try. Each flight
was generally critiqued by a number of Team members & supporters as
these guys worked together to eliminate every possible flaw. There was
total focus and commitment within and for the Team. Team Manager Al
Glenn took care of administrative details - including leaving the hotel
around 5:00am to ensure transmitters were impounded on time, handling
"information just in time" logistics and essentially doing everything
but sleeping. (Don't give him too much grief when the photos of him
sleeping at the banquet publish.)
 
The conditions during the prelims were extremely difficult. Cross winds
in or out each day that approached 30mph at times. It was amazing how
many "unknown" folks flew exceptionally well and that all of the "know"
folks flew even better. Not only were these guys flying in strong wind -
but it was usually quite cold in the morning sessions as well. The
semi's and finals were also windy - but not as bad and it got warmer,
downright hot for the finals. 
 
Bad luck and a great performance by BPLR prevented Team USA from winning
the Team Championship - BPLR flew one flight during the only calm period
(maybe half an hour) of the prelims and did a very good job of
capitalizing upon the opportunity. Jason was up next - but a delay to
allow for an airliner departure was long enough for the wind to return
before Jason flew. This was enough to swing the advantage to the French
and give them a well fought win - Team USA can be proud of second, it
was a hard fought battle with great flying on each side, with the
Japanese team always in the mix.
 
All of the flying in the finals was exceptional. Quique was consistently
solid, Jason likewise (and winning his first WC round), and Andrew
flying superbly. In hindsight - it may be that the "in-close" style
Andrew flew to good advantage in the prelims / semi's that may not have
scored as well in the finals without the strong crosswind. 
 
There were a lot of electrics (mostly Hacker) as well as glow (mostly
YS) and neither had an advantage / disadvantage in the strong winds.
Either propulsion is totally viable, Sebastiano even flew a Hacker with
contra-rotating props in the finals - good power and excellent braking.
 
The highlight of the experience occurred while standing next to Quique
when he was announced as the winner (he didn't know he'd won). I'll
remember his emotion forever - he really wanted this! 
 
So - second WC Team placing is good, every Team member making the Finals
is outstanding, everyone in the top 8 is exceptional, and a USA Team
member winning the World Championship is more than great! The
accomplishments of 2007 Team USA are HUGE!! Congratulations to Quique,
Jason, and Andrew - we couldn't be more proud or appreciative of your
accomplishments!!  Thanks to the callers who worked as hard as the
pilots, the TM's that handled logistics, and everyone who contribute to
an exceptional performance by Team USA.
 
Earl
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