Subversive

The recent antics of our scorer (see previous posts in July) have not gone unnoticed by our Gauntleteers, who are filled with glee (and rhyme) much to his embarrassment:

An own goal during a glide?
I think the truth he does hide
We know that the clown
Has shot himself down
Next thing with himself he'll collide!

--oo--

Our favourite scorer is Alan
But what a sad tale he is tellin
We know that he tried
But his software had lied
Enough to make one the hellin!

--oo--

An intricate task is this scoring
And we all thought it was boring
Who cares if it's skew?
At least we all flew
Plus it adds to the fun of our soaring

Scorer responds:

"Please, Mr Competition Director, can we have a rule to legalise penalties for subversive behaviour?"

CD responds:

"First, Mr Scorer, you can't penalise the Gauntleteers unless you were going to give them some points in the first place (and you're not exactly handing points out like confetti are you?), second,

Rhyme is no crime".

Not possible: A gliding "own goal"

After a somewhat surprising discovery that our two scoring programs yeilded different results (thanks to Eagle EYed EY), we instigated an investigation into why this discrepancy existed. Blustering manufacturer's protested their innocence and eventually the white-hot spotlight of TRUTH fell on our lowly little scorer!

In an out-of-character momentary loss of self-control, a competitor "head-butted" the Cape Gauntlet organising team with a flaming limerick:

Mr Farrell protested with grace
“No transgression has here taken place”
The scorer is dumb!
A quick rule of thumb
Shows the trace has no point in airspace!

It turns out that the poor chap was a little bemused that airspace moves up and down each day. It does what? How? Yes, on high pressure days, airspace specified in flight levels is actually higher than it is on low pressure days. Drop that one in at your next session at the bar and become the life & soul of the party!

A relieved Mr Farrell, cleared of any airspace infringement, provided only a brief comment "Phew!", while HW and GUJ pilots were completely uncontactable (perhaps they are on 119.7?).

While no change is being permitted to finalised scores of previous days, the one competitor in April previously thought to be in airspace will have the infringement expunged from their Gauntlet record. Litigation on this matter is not anticipated, however, as Fate has sense of humour. That competitor, who's character and airmanship have been libelled through this appalling error, is none other than our rather sheepish scorer!

Can you handle it?

See the revised scores at the Overall and D4 links. These scores will become final in 24 hours if no further objections are received.

Music in the score!

The transgressions of Saturday are much lamented, as ZS-ANON (a participant) notes:

Who can escape the beady eye
Of the GPS in the sky?

A minute or two and a touch too high
Is enough to make a big man cry.

But truth be out, there is no doubt,
It never fails to catch you out !

And don't forget the other part . . .
Make real sure you cross the start!

And as a number of competitors noted from the scores, the music was in too high a key. Lets hope that next time we wax lyrical it will be to celebrate!

But there is music here, and if you take the time it to absorb it, you'll find the harmony of flying with knowledge and skill. Where is it I here you ask? Get Martin and Hubert's trace of Saturday and play it in 3D (unfortunately without sound effects!).

Also note from the verified scores that we, er, "found" a competitor. Ian Forbes mentioned on Saturday that he might do his best to get disqualified by climbing in the wave into the TMA, but didn't, and was then a little tardy submitting his trace for provisional scoring. But, "Welcome!" Ian - here's hoping your Gauntleteering is long and profitable!

And, the scores are likely to stay "verified" for some time while Mr Farrell takes his logger for calibration - I hope it doesn't get a clean bill of health (and he'll get his points back)!

Please try to make briefing at 09h30 on 5th August and we will explain how to avoid these airspace problems (QNH vs Standard Pressure, when, why and where).

And, with your co-operation, you will learn something you will NEVER be able to forget!

Can you handle it?

Day 4 again - and MUCH better!

The twinkled-eyed Gauntleteers assembled for another contest day at sunny Worcester (mouse over for names!):
The weather was forecast to be a strong NW with good heating (for winter!) to 24C and no cloud. Adriaan and Adri had taken a pre-briefing flight to check the weather and confirmed turbulence and 80kph at altitude, making the Contest Director a little nervous that the conditions on the ground (calm at briefing) would blow-out and become too turbulent to launch the grid. Launch was set for 11h00 with the start point at Rawsonville / Renosterhoek for a 3 hour OLC variant task.

With superb help from Alison, Jerry and Craig (the latter two on duty), the grid was soon launching (after a brief breathe-held pause while June Sterling execute a perfect first-solo landing in the Motor Falke, well done, June!) and with many pilots "gliding in" to Vic Peak, tug-times were sometimes under 6 minutes (not for the faint-hearted).

Martin and Hubert (slightly in shock) deserve special mention for getting to Rooi Els but marred their otherwise winning performance with unfortunate airspace infringements! They were also unfortunately joined in that unholy activity by two other pilots resulting in a devalued day.

Most pilots had smiles on their faces when they landed (or were they grimaces?) and it seemed like everyone had pushed themselves a little and achieved more than they thought was really possible in the conditions. It was perhaps disappointing that the wind stayed too northerly for the front ridge to work as we might then have seen some spectacular winter distances.

But Ari "Circles" Cotton proved that it was possible to do it the old-fashioned way - in thermals (no, not underwear) for a good day-result. And Adriaan is now navigating the pitfalls with aplomb (and mainly in straight lines) making him the winner on the day and giving him a commanding lead.

See the detail results here, and 'till next time, fly safe!