Thursday --- Happy Campers

Wednesday’s bad weather moved on and Thursday dawned with promises of a solid post-frontal soaring day. Good Dr. Richard Kellerman, our weatherman, predicted the day would be strong regardless of possible ridge lift which was present early but was predicted to wane in the late afternoon and not be reliable.

Task advisors make or break a contest; R2 benefited from the advice of John Good (Sports), Glen Kelley (FAI Combined), and Erik Mann (18M). The task advisor’s consensus was a cross ridge day and so it was … all classes were given a 3:30 TAT being Waggoners Gap, Midstate, Turnpike Tunnels, Penns Cave, and finish delivering a nominal distance of roughly 210 miles. Being high cirrus had started creeping in from the NW, launch started early and the famous (or infamous) Mifflin ridge tow had the sailplanes up and ready to start in no time. Great job Mifflin OPS! FAI Combined launched first and opened with a 3:30 task; Sports launched second followed by 18M and the approaching circus backed their task down to 3:00. Please weather be right … it looks like it’s going blue.

Next day Friday weather was not looking good and Saturday was forecasting even worse. We needed this day and we’re playing for all the marbles in Sports and FAI Combined classes. Please … no drama on the probable last day.

End of 3 task times converged within a 15-minute bracket and it started raining sailplanes. Better yet, most pilots were wearing big smiles and flying the happy camper flag. Congratulations to daily winners Karl Striedieck – Sports, John Seymour – FAI Combined, and Tim Welles – 18M.

Two contest days for Sports and three contest days for 18M. On the Sports podium were 3rd Boris Kubrak - 1869, 2nd Sean Murphy – 1891, and 1st Karl Striedieck – 1980. FAI Combined was celebrated by 3rd Jake Barnes – 1575, 2nd Glen Kelley – 1805, and 1st John Seymour – 1873. Standing on the 18M podium were 3rd Hank Nixon – 1925, 2nd Tim Welles – 2182, and 1st Erik Mann – 2271. Congratulations to all.

Mifflin Soaring Association annually presents the Mifflin Trophy to the pilot from any class who scores the longest handicap adjusted flight distance. By a scant 3.55 handicapped miles, John Seymour’s 297.40 edged out Tim Welles’ 293.85. After all, what are good friends for?

What a pleasure to work with Team Mifflin … they never missed a beat and truly are an outstanding contest organization. Great job guys!
Respectfully,
Marshall McClung, CD
Hope to see you out on the grid!