My friend Chris Jubb Has sent us a report of the first contest of UK League 2007:
A few worries for Clive Needham (CD) during the week leading up to the competition due to the field being flooded but on arrival the field had drained and was in good condition. A great entry was recorded with five new B league pilots entering.
Mark Southall, Ken Woodhouse and Mark Passingham taking up F3B as well as F3F. John Stewart returning after a few years absence and Keith Whitton being encouraged by Bob Dickinson to take part.
The day turned out quite breezy but with a fair amount of sunshine.
Round one, A league duration started at 10:00.
Group one was topped by Norman Quirk with his Europhia with Paul Carrington (Skorpion) just inching out John Whittle (Samsara MkII O/D) in group two.
Round 1 B league duration followed
Ken Woodhouse demonstrating that he does not need a slope to keep aloft and just held of Mark Passingham who overflew by 11 seconds, both flying Crossfires. John Stewart (Europhia) took top points in group 2.
Round 1 A league distance
Group 1 was lead by Norman Quirk with 21 legs.
Group 2 was very closely fought with all pilots recording 18 legs.
Round 2
Norman again showed the way, to complete 19 legs.
Rounds 1 and 2 B league distance
Nigel Witchalls , Mark Southall, Ken Woodhouse and John Stewart took top points although Nigel damaged his Cobra on the final turn forcing him to retire.
Steve Hoppe managing to catch a wingtip in round 1 on his final turn, result broken fuz and wing.
A league speed.
Task C was started with quite blustery conditions.
Round 1. Paul Carrington completed the coarse in 17.74 with Steve Haley trailing with 18.85.
Round 2 saw Steve pull out the stops with a 15.02 with Paul trailing at 16.52.
B league speed
Round 1 saw John Stewart with the fastest time 26.78. Ken Woodhouse was awarded 0 for cutting the safety line. Chris Jubb lost control of his cobra prior to entering the course. B league speed was now getting low on competitors.
Round 2. With only 5 out of the 10 pilots now competing Ken Woodhouse flew a very smooth course to record 22.81 with Mark Southall close behind with 23.56.
Final A Duration
By this time the weather had deteriorated somewhat and time was getting on.
Paul Carrington retired after a very loud flutter during the launch de-laminating the flap surface. Paul was trying to wring the last bit of launch height from his prototype Skorpion.
Steve Haley and Johnathon Wells won their respective groups demonstrating some fine flying and landing skills considering the weather.
B league final duration followed with John Stewart taking top honours but only managing 2.55 Wind was by now quite strong.
A League
1.Steve Haley
2.Norman Quirk
3.John Whittle
4.Paul Carrington
5.Johnathon Wells
6.Bill Haley
7.Mike Challinor
8.Bob Dickinson
B League
1.John Stewart
2.Mark Passingham
3.Ken Woodhouse
4.Mark Southall
5.Keith Whitton
6.Alan Jones
7.Clive Needham
8.Nigel Whitchalls
9.Chris Jubb
10.Steve Hoppe
Photos here.