Jury Report on 2001 Free Flight World Championships F1A F1B F1C
FAI Jury
|
Pierre CHAUSSEBOURG |
FRA |
Delegate and CIAM 1st VP |
|
Ian KAYNES |
GBR |
FF S/C Chairman |
|
George XENAKIS |
USA |
|
Dates
Location
Lost Hills, (west of Bakersfield) California, USA.
Accommodation
Teams and officials were accommodated in local motels: in Lost Hills (10 km from the flying field) and Button Willow (about 20 km). Prices for a double room was $55 instead of the $31 starting price The only meals provided by the organisers were:
- Barbecue at the opening ceremony
- Lunches on each of the competition day
- Banquet on the last evening.
On the other days, breakfast and other meals had to be purchased in the local restaurant at a price higher than the $20 per day which had been estimated to CIAM.
Flying site
Lost Hills flying field is one of the very best fields in the world for Free Flight. This site had already been used for the 1993 World Championships, and since that time, it has been improved: no more holes and no bushes.
Participation
199 competitors from 32 countries
China and Croatia did not come and Bosnian team was not granted visas despite many efforts, both from AMA and Californian organiser.
Competition
It took place on three days with deciding Fly-Off in classes F1A and F1B in the early morning.
The event was very well run and the field organisation was perfect: Good score board, excellent public address. Very accurate timing in each round including Fly-Off rounds. The processing, during, and after contest for the winners, was very accurate and efficient.
The weather was just perfect during this Championship which gave very clear winners.
Protest
There was no official protest.
Timekeeping
Most of the timekeepers were from USA. They were experienced modellers, and there was no communication problem… All were well equipped with binoculars and tripods. Timing was good and there has been no major problem.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Opening ceremony was in WASCO recreation park. It was followed by a barbecue and later by the team managers meeting.
Closing ceremony and banquet was at Stockdale Country Club in Bakersfield. Coaches were provided for participants, from Lost Hills and Buttonwillow. Some national anthems were not played fully, or not at all in the case of the Sweden, which gave the opportunity to the team members to sing it beautifully.
For some reasons, FAI medals and diplomas were not awarded and will be sent later to the NAC of the winners. Some FAI trophies were missing:
- The F1A team trophy was not brought back by the Slovakian team.
- The F1B team trophy, the individual F1C trophy and the two F1C team trophies that had been awarded to Bosnia in 1999 were not returned and could not be awarded to their winners.
Conclusion
This Championship will be remembered for superb field organisation and excellent weather. The SCAT and AMA must be congratulated for an excellent Championship.