Jury Report on Free Flight Euro Championships 2014 F1E for Seniors and Juniors
FAI Jury
Gerhard Wöbbeking | GER | President |
Ivan Horejsi | CZE | Member |
Patrik Michnac | SVK | Member |
Dates
August 24 to 30
Location
Martin, Slovakia
Information
The RC Model Club of Martin – already awarded with the F1E WCh in 2013 – got this year’s F1E European at the 2012 Plenary Meeting, with no other offer on the table. They had already a good name in F3J and are now confirmed again as able organizer of F1E championships, even under difficult circumstances. On behalf of the FAI Jury, working – especially with Miroslav Majercik (Contest Director) and Miroslav and Jakub Drmla (Organizer) – was a pleasure. One bulletin provided sufficient information.
Participation
27 juniors + 40 seniors = 67 out of 13 countries attended the 2014 championship, making this EuCh the best supported F1E event ever, beating the F1E WCh in 2009 (Germany with 22 juniors + 40 seniors = 62 out of 13 countries). With new teams from Hungary and Ukraine and impressive performing juniors the class showed its potentialities for the future.
Accommodation
As practised in 2013, the organizer concentrated everything at one place – registration, processing, Team Managers meeting, food and lodging, opening and closing ceremony as well as registering for two World Cups. The facilities of a small winter resort named “Snowlands” made that possible, with rooms in different pensions and hotels and two restaurants. This time, the 4star Hotel Impozant provided early breakfasts and dinners at very reasonable price, but sometimes in difficulties to cope with the demands, especially of that many food orders. To fulfil their task the event management took into account to be bothered with all the accommodation booking.
Flying site
In principle, four different flying sites – within about 15 minutes drive distance from “Snowlands” – offered slopes facing to four wind directions. Despite of the fact that the wind took different courses, finally all flying took place at one site.
The competitions (with the exception of the World Cup offered the day before the championship) took place at comparable shallow slopes of a hill on which the crop just had been harvested leaving stubbles and straw lying in rows (Slope No. 4). The hill had the advantage of sites to three directions, allowing to leave the cars at one place close to organizer’s tents and shelters for provision.
Competition
Tuesday August 26 the Junior EuCh was scheduled, but the weather conditions were bad and Jury and CD agreed to postpone the competition to the reserve day (Thursday). Next day scheduled for the Senior event got a bad forecast too, nevertheless the organizer was keen using every hour. Two rounds could be flown before – after a lunch break – the weather didn’t allow to continue. In accordance with the Team Managers and the Jury, all following rounds were postponed to the morning of the reserve day. As initially not enough timekeepers for than 14 positions were available, the organizer asked the teams for support with nominations.
Thursday now both events had to take place: the three remaining rounds of the Seniors as well as the five rounds of the Junior event. Sacrificing the World Cup on Friday was no option for the organizer as the World Cup-entry fees were needed to cover the budget.
Unfortunately, the nice weather forecasted for Thursday started with fog. It took two hours waiting until Senior-round 3 could be started. Due to the lack of upwind three hours later the event was finished without a fly off. After a short break the Junior event followed. It run smoothly with one shift of the starting line after the northerly wind direction had changed toward West. With only one full house no fly off was necessary to classify this event too.– There were no protests, not at least because of the extensively conducted communication between Contest Director and Team Managers.
Opening and Closing Ceremony
Opening and closing ceremonies took place in the open on the terrace of the hotel Impozant. FAI diplomas and both perpetual trophies could be awarded, including a new one which was first given to the 2012 Junior European Champion. The organiser as well granted cups to all winners and winning teams.
Conclusions
Despite of difficult weather conditions Slovakia organised demanding, but good and successful championships which took place in a very friendly, communicative and sportive atmosphere.