UK VRQ 2008

For the first time in 10+ years the UK team has been chosen from a one-off qualifying event rather than the national leagues.  This change came at the same time that Great Britain was offered only one team, as opposed to a separate team for each of our home nations, and that certainly focused the mind a little. 

The event was scheduled for 26 and 27 April 2008 at the Bwlch in South Wales.  Saturday started off on the Back of the Wrecker with sun and around 25mph SSW.  Most who know me are aware that I hate this slope, and that it hates me. The orientation and lead in to the slope make it incredibly thermic, which is the last thing you need for a one-off qualifier.

We flew seven rounds where the same competitor would score 1000pts one round and 600pts the next. I didn't even bother to complete my flight one round as I was up against a time in the mid thirties and was trudging towards a 60+. I just couldn't face finishing it, especially after getting 600pts in the previous round in similar circumstances. There's a rather charming photo below that captures my sentiments shortly afterwards.

The wind swung more towards the west so we decamped to Mickey's slope.  For sure there were still thermic influences but the differentials were much, much less than on the Back of the Wrecker.  We managed a total of 16 rounds, thanks largely to the skills of Andrzej, John, Mike and Andy who selflessly gave up their own day to run the competition.

Sunday started off with some hill fog, which turned into more hill fog and finished off with, yes, hill fog.  Not a plane was launched on Sunday leaving the results form Saturday to stand as below.

1	Kevin	Newton	13371.32	Ascot
2	Mark	Southall	13366.27	Ascot
3	Greg	Dakin	13109.33	Race M Ult
4	Mark	Passingham	12626.32	Ascot
5	John	Phillips	12458.5	Falcon
6	Mark	Abbotts	12400.28	Caldera
7	Ken	Woodhouse	12381.19	Radical
8	Graham	Read	12243.61	Skorpion
9	Joel	West	12032.52	Skorpion
10	Mark	Freeman	12032.46	Elita
11	Ian	Mason	11460.02	Acacia III
12	Mick	Walsh	11279.17	Acacia III
13	Vic	Eldridge	5138.23	Elita

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