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Well, Agnes and I had a fabulous time at the F3A Open competition in Columbia. We would like to thank all the people involved with organizing the event, especially Eduardo and Ricardo and making it possible for us to attend.

The contest was very well organized and the level of competition was very high. I personally finished in 5th place. Although I am not happy with that result, I did feel that I flew very well during the competition. All the rounds were very close, and I am sure anyone could have won the contest at any point with a bit of luck!

It was great to catch up with some old friends as well as make a lot of new ones. The contest was more relaxed and fun than say a World Championships, where there is always a lot of stress. With the bar right on site we had plenty of time to enjoy a few cerveza and great food while waiting for the next round to start! I definitely had the most fun at this contest that I have ever had flying F3A.

As with any contest you always learn something about your own flying as well as things to try to keep improving. I managed to take home with me a few tips both for my flying and a few ideas to try on my airplane to make it fly even better. With this level of competition in F3A any small improvement can make a significant impact to your overall results.

Agnes also really enjoyed herself. The hotel facility is fantastic for the wives, and as well the shopping in Medellin and Rionegro is great. Agnes managed to find herself many pairs of nice leather shoes and accessories, at much better pricing than we can get in Canada.

I would recommend attending this event to anyone thinking of going. The country is perfectly safe and the organizers make all the arrangements to transport you to the hotel. From that point you need no vehicle. The facility is fantastic as well! I understand they plan to hold the event again in 2012, as next year is the 2011 World Championships, and making two major trips for most people is not possible.

I have taken the time to post a number of our better pictures on my Picasa account here,

Colombia F3A Open

Hope you enjoy!
Chad

2nd Day of Competition

Hey guys,

Sorry for the lack of updates, but we usually end up down playing pool or ping pong by the hotel pool, drinking cerveza, eating supper...and by then I am either too tired, or too many cerveza to write anything intelligent LOL.

I am not going to post pictures today, as there are simply too many.

Round three is over today, so the scores are starting to take shape. I had a bit of a slow start, with a not so good flight in #1, then a first up position draw in #2. I redeemed myself (almost) in #3 with a second place finish (behind Wolfgang).

Dumb story for the kids....Chip has been talking about snapping out all day, normally with this flight direction and wind I was snapping in (left) on the vertical upline in P. Well....last flight, I decide, damn I am going to be like Chip and snap out. BAM! Big over rotation, shiza...don't' do that again!

Even more dumb, I looked at the scores, assume I lost myself 1 point per judge...I would have won the round....agghhhhh, time for more cerveza!

The contest and the flying has been great, lots of great pilots and flights are being put in. Other than a bit of wind and bumpy conditions, the weather could not be better and the facility is unlike anywhere else that I have ever been too!

Ok, a couple of pics :)

The Thunder Power boys (Chip and I), before Chip's flight

Here is the flightline security guard, he protects the cerveza!

Here is part of the group taking the shuttle back to the hotel, makes a good airplane transport as well!

Thats all for now!
Chad

Not much today

Hey guys,

Sorry for the lack of a report today, but its late and time to hit the rack. Another great day though, and I was so busy helping and flying (both my plane and others) that I didn't even get a picture taken!

Wolfgang Matt and Juan Rombaut from Spain arrived safe and sound and were able to put up some practice flights. Brett will arrive tomorrow evening.

Shaping up to be a great event, I will post up some more pictures and some more reporting tomorrow.

Chad