The Rex and Noelle Show has come to a Close - by Rich Owen

The ships are in the box, some pilots have already headed home and others are heading to Nephi for the 18 Meter Nationals next week.  The banquet was great and the awards were passed out but what did we learn from all of this.  You will have to wait a couple of minutes for the answer.  When the day began, the difference between first and second was very close.  It was a toss-up on who would win the contest.  Even Team 98 was in the hunt but we needed some help from both competitors ahead of us.  Rex planned a task that would not be described as a banquet task.  It was an assigned task that covered 419km and demanded three valley crossings.  If you have never flown in the mountains, valley crossings are like final glides 20 minutes before sunset, very quiet and smooth.  After a Craggy Start we went to Carter, Dry Lake, Butte Valley, Big Springs, Tennant, Weed and home.  The first leg was fast.  A 7kt climb at the start circle got us up over 12,000ft and well on our way to Carter.  We went directly there since the high terrain route was too much off course.  Approaching Carter, we found another great climb that put us at cloudbase and allowed us to head over the valley in style. On the leg to Dry Lake, we encountered a convergence zone that kept us at cloudbase for most of the way.  Our speed was building up at this point.  Big Springs and Tennant were not too much of a problem.  We glided into and out of one turnpoint because it was in the blue.  We did miss a climb and had to cross the valley at a lower than desired speed but we wanted to connect at a higher altitude.  After that climb it was a simple matter of managing a good final glide. 

After the dinner Noelle thanked all the volunteers who made this contest viable.  From the tow pilots, ground crew, scorer and meal folks, everything was first rate.  If you have not stopped at Williams Soaring you should.  Rex and Noelle ran a great contest that not only selected the best National Champion, but also challenged all of us to do our best.  Ben and Nick Mayes are very close personal friends of mine.  During this contest they did an enormous amount of work to help their parents run the contest.  Thanks to them and Rick Indrebo in helping us put 98 in the box. 

Now for today’s scores, we had a tie for second place between the Team of John Cochrain and Kempton Izuno and Team 98 with Pete Alexander.  I should point out that we beat John out by .55kph! In first place today was Team Texas.  Jacob and Mike flew another great flight that covered 419km with a raw speed of 134kph.  Team Texas flew a great contest after surviving a land out early in the contest.  It shows you to never give up!  Overall scores:  In third place with a total of 5718 points was Team 98, Pete Alexander and Rich Owen.  In second place was Team Texas with Jacob Fairbairn and Mike Westbrook with a total of 5924 points.  This year’s 20 Meter National Champion is John Cochran with a total of 6026 points.  Congratulations John for your first National Championship win.  With John was Rick Indrebo and Kempton Izuno in the back seat during the week. 

Well folks, so what do we take away from this contest.  We are very lucky to be living in a country that Americans give up vacation and personal time to help put on these events. That we love what we do and enjoy the company of other glider pilots and contest staff.  This has been a great event and I’m looking forward to the next contest in Nephi.  Ok Bruno, here we come!

Goodnight all, I hope you liked these reports.  

Rich Owen
Team 98 Back Seater