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Aerobatics ServerACRO E-mail Archive Thread: [acro] WAC Update #20 (July 4)[International Aerobatic Club] [Articles etc] [Communications] [Contest and Patch Information] [Aviation Organizations] [Other Aerobatics Info] [Aerobatics Images] [Other Aerobatics Links] [Other Aviation Info (including weather)] [Search ACRO Website]Disclaimer: These aerobatics pages are developed by individual IAC members and do not represent official IAC policy or opinion. |
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Thread: [acro] WAC Update #20 (July 4)
Message: [acro] WAC Update #20 (July 4)
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From: Allyson Parker-Lauck <aplauck at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2005 15:57:58 UTC
Hi all, Going to give you one last update before leaving for home. I haven't reported since before the 4-minute free was flown, so here's a recap. On Saturday, for the first time since the contest began, the flying started EARLY - 9:45 AM. Most days the 9:15 briefing started late, planes had to be pulled out of the hangar, warm-up flights, etc. caused the flying to rarely start before 11:00. So to our surprise as we arrived at the airport Saturday morning at around 9:50 AM, we saw white smoke over the airport, and it was David Martin we were missing flying his 4-minute routine. Bummer. Saturday turned out to be the hottest day we encountered at Burgos, causing many to stay in the shade. It was brutal out in the sun. After the 4-minute was completed, there was an airshow. One of the most interesting acts was a formation group of helicopters doing awesome aerobatic maneuvers. I know little about helicopters and their capabilities, but it was very interesting. Awards were scheduled to be presented after the airshow, but considering that the 4-minute and airshow were behind schedule and also considering that the heat was almost unbearable to stand in for too long, the organizers decided to incorporate the awards ceremony into the closing ceremonies. Good call. The closing ceremonies didn't start until after 9:30 PM. The US Team met early to get a formal Team photo in our dress attire in front of the airplanes. We had some leftover wine from the wine and cheese party Friday night, so we shared that with our international friends as we waited for the hangar to be set up for the closing ceremonies. Awards were presented - and I now think I know the Russian National Anthem by heart. We heard it A LOT that night. You all know the results by now, but both the men's and women's world champions and Team world champions all were Russian. Congratulations to Sergei Rahkmanin and Svetlana Kapanina for a job well done. Also of interest, US Team Manager Marta Meyer was presented with a very special award - a bronzed replica of the famous El Cid statue - for being the most helpful person at the contest. Marta was adored by everyone, and served as a great representative for our country. Spanish pilot Alex MacLean was also presented with a special award - a beautiful Spanish sword for exemplifying the warrior spirit. The meal was served, and then came the fireworks. The fireworks were shot off only a hundred yards or so from the fuel pit and right over airplanes and the helicopters - Don't think you'd see that anywhere in the US! :-) French pilot Laurant Narjoux, we learned, is an EXPERT at sound effects. After the fireworks were over, we heard that familiar whistling sound fireworks make as they are shot off, but there were no grand explosions. People were looking to the sky - all for naught. Laurant was having fun with his practical joke. Then came the powered parachute team flying a night time show with their canopies aglow. Great fun. By this time I think it was pushing 1:00 AM, so it was back to the hotel for some sleep to prepare for the task of disassmbly. It was a great evening and a great way to end the contest. Greg Panzl flew back to Spain Saturday to assist me and Vicki with our disassembly, so yesterday morning we began to tear the airplanes down again. By about 10:00 PM, we were fully loaded with the exception of one box of supplies that we're packing up today. The truck and cranes come out to pick up our container, and our planes will go back on the ocean later this week. The rest of the Team left yesterday for an airport just outside of Madrid where they are disassembling and will be air freighting their airplanes home. Most of us will be arriving back in the states over the next 2 or 3 days, while Michael Racy will be vacationing another week or so in England, and Hubie and his wife will be another few days in Barcelona. Thanks for all the words of encouragement along the way, and I hope you've enjoyed these updates. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I hope to do it again some day. I certainly learned a lot, so hopefully next time will be even better. Take care, and signing off from Burgos, Allyson
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