WACDay3

Rich and Paul did not have to fly today, so took it easy and watched some of the other groups fly, or lounged by the pool at the hotel.   Still very warm, and hazy, which affected the performance of aircraft and pilots noticeably.
We submitted our Free Unknown sequence for vetting at 0900.   By 1030 all the Free Unknowns had been juried and posted for viewing.   After some assistance from Coco Bessier, Sergei Rakhmanin and Alan Cassidy - we chose to fly the Russian sequence rather than our own!  See above.   Rich is first up tomorrow after the warm-up pilots, and the third group should all fly before lunch..
We watched all of the top group fly their Frees this afternoon.   The full results are up, so go and have look at civa-results.com.   Rich and I thought Mamistov, Shpolyansky, Kapanina (apart from her roller), Ivanov, Masurel and Cassels flew very well.   Many struggled with altitude in the heat we thought and this spoiled some figures.   The design of some Frees were also 'challenging' we thought. - not what was needed on a performance-sapping day.   It was a pleasure to see the older CAP-232 flown well around a sequence, and they still seem to appear very good flicking machines.

So, we need to be in the top 75% after the Unknown to go through to the 2nd unknown.   It will be a challenge, but we'll give it a shot.

WACDay2.2

Both Paul and Rich flew the Free last evening.   Rich ~66%, Paul ~64%.  The first group of pilots completed the Free and scores are posted.   Will see whether the Jury enforce the cut or not.
We designed our Unknown submission last night,  I'll put it in at brief this morning.  The guys will have a day off, maybe watch some flying this arvo - the top group.  Then tonight design the second Unknown.

WACDay2.1

Just had the Unknown submission meeting - all good fun, just like at home.  You put up a figure and the french shout 'non,non' at you..... Not quite that bad, but some preparation is essential, which we had done fortunately.

Due to less than ten 'teams' here, the remaining competitors/countries drew lots to submit a figure, then the ten drew lots again for order of figure submission.   We got to submit the 8th figure for the first free unknown, but missed out on the 2nd Free Unknown.  However, Vittorio, the Italian we share the aircraft with made it, so we worked together to submit a figure we could reasonably fly in the 300S and deny others an option, for the 2nd unknown also - the 5th.  (we did both Unknown figures at the same briefing).
The first Unknown figures are shown.   Tonight we will draw some sequences over a birra grande or two!

WACDay2

Another fine day in Foligno.  Serious discussion has taken place regarding moving the Oz Nats here....?

Flying recommenced on the Q programme, and that was done by lunch.    Standout flights were Nicolas Ivanoff, Mikhail Mamistov and Tom Cassells.  Final scores for the Q are out, and unfortunately we are in the last group of three.   This means both Rich and Paul will fly their Free this arvo, and the warm-up pilot is out right now.   The judges are south, direction of flight to the west.

Day1.2

Paul flew a little while ago and was pretty neat. Provisional scores just out - 62.94%. Wind and temp had picked up this afternoon and some top pilots were pushed to the back downwind corner of the box. Paul coped better than many with the changed conditions.
More Russians flew and some of the US team. Plenty of smash but rushed with some of them. Rob Holland flew very well, I thought, and right in front of the judges. Check the civa-results page for all the scores and links to the individual score details.
So, both our pilots have qualified and now on to the Free, probably Saturday.

WACDay1.1

We're off and running! Richard flew his Q and did well, no donuts and a provisional score of 66.14%. Some good flying, the French warm-up pilot Francois Rolet, was one of the best! Castor was neat, as was Aude Lemordant. Surprise leader thus far is Svetlana Kapanina with 77% - we didn't think it looked like that, however, we weren't on the judging line.
Just starting after lunch break, with judges moving to the West of the box. Paul flies 3rd.

WAC Day 1/2

Pilot briefing yesterday was longish and hot in a steel hangar. Not much different to ours, and then the draw. Richard drew 8th and Paul 16th, amended to 6 and 16th today due the American in the Extra drawing 11. Rich will follow Castor Fantoba, and Paul is bracketted by Jeff Bourbon (USA) and Victor Chmal(RU) - nothing like diving in the deep end!
The opening ceremony last night was in the centre of Foligno, Piazza Repubblica(sp?) with all the local dignatories and officials, as well as local drum band and flag tossers. Culturally significant to the locals, not sure how it all fits in though.
The organisers have done an excellent job publicising the event to the locals and getting their support. Very important considering we are flying right next to houses as the airfield is surrounded by built up areas. Some new houses are actually within or on the boundary of the box, luckily unoccupied at present.
We led the 'march' up the sreet to the officials podium, teams in alphabetical order. Like a centipede with two left feet, though the french tried to call the time! Then the speeches, drummers/flags throwers and then dinner in the 800y.o. stone and fresco 'community centre'. many pilots were keen to depart to prepare for the Q, but others stayed until late.
Thursday a.m. here now, the warm-pilots have just flown, awaiting the first Q flight - Yoshi Moruya in an Sbach 342. The boys are walking through the Q, again.