Bill Soderquist <<billsod>> writes:

As for the weather, both meets experienced some weather issues. The task committee at both meets did a good job of sending the pilots on a course that avoided the worst overdevelopment. I commend the Big Spring task committee for threading the needle so well.

The tasks at King were limited to four routes but the committee called good directions even though several days blew up and shortened the days. It was cloud cover from the overdevelopment that shortened the days, not flying in to it.

As for mileage this year's King meet was one of the shortest on mileage that I have been to because of the weather conditions. We had several days that high overcast limited the mileage. We only had one day I was able to break 100 miles, but most days were 60 to 80 mile days often on a cross wind component.

As for pilots in the air King put fifty plus pilots (thirty four in open flex class) in the air most days we had sixty eight competitors and several free flyers.

I don't know if anyone put the daily scores up they where on paper each day as most pilots had no internet access. Wi-fi was available but most pilots were socializing rather then blogging. I only saw about two lap tops out the entire event. Lisa or Ernie Camocho may have the scores available. But I don't know if they have been put up.

Big Spring had by far more racers. I was hoping this year would have brought more racers to King but there were only about seven or eight competitive pilots there.

King is a recreational fun meet for most of the contestants. All though Lisa's art (trophies) are second to none and worth competing for.

This year's Big Spring meet (and I have been to three now) was the most enjoyable and relaxed meet I attended for a tow meet.

As for a rumored boycott the pilots at King were the usual minus a few and the ones there I have never seen at one of the tow meets. Several of the pilots that I have competed with at King were noticeably absent due to other commitments or time constraints that only allowed them to take in one meet.

If you look at past results from King you will see many of the top Big Spring pilots have taken in King on previous years but have switched more to the points meets.

The Texas and Florida thermals are conducive for gaggle flying and shoulder to shoulder racing. Where King is about one on one against the mountains and the challenges of reading changing weather and terrain. It is a pilots' choice what they prefer to do.

As for a comparison David and Lisa both run great meets with a class act. There is a place and need for both. Hope you can come fly King some day.

The scenery and experience are unique to the area. They are building a tow park at the base of King. It was having its first gathering the same week as the end of the Big Springs meet. I was sorry to miss it. It's web site is: http://www.kingmountaingliderpark.com.

Big Spring will always be a race venue that is in a class by itself and will attract the best racers around. It is a once a year event at a site that is only available when the meet happens. If the sport is to grow we need places like Big Spring to turn in to year round sites. But till we have a growing pilots base we must support and hang on to the sites that we have year round access to.

On that note I think companions, on a local level, are part of the key to that. They prompt camaraderie and push pilots to better them selves whether it be for a spot landing or getting a better glide. There we come to the crutch of the problem. Some one has to put forth the effort to put on and organize the events. Usually at the expense of their own flying.

So on that note I want to say thank you to both David and Lisa for the endless sacrifice they put in to put on these meets. To take anything away from either one of them would be an insult to all their work.