Keith Eyler T21

On Monday, July 3, 2017 at 11:06:29 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Thx John,
I read your work before the few contest I've flown and fly the best I can. The other pilots simply flew better than I did. The statistics of their flights show that. The winner flew 4.5% better than I had. I'm sure I would have podiumed had I simply understood better the way my ClearNav thinks, nothing to do with the fact I was flying a club class glider. It was pilot error.
(not at John, who, I'm a big fan of his work)
I have no problem competing against the D2s etc... My day win I flew better. I had a great thermal average, flew great lines and flew the TAT to limit as much of my headwind as possible. It was my day in the spot light.
Garret won this contest in my sailplane in 2015, HA came in a close second simply because they're experienced, damn good racing pilots in the same way 5F, and RO are also highly experienced, damn good racing pilots.
I don't buy for one second into the accusations of D2s having an advantage, Team Flying etc because i was there, had drinks, drove a cooler, had potato cannon fights with the AF cadets etc. Quite frankly it does nothing productive for the sport and should stop. A nationals with 10 gliders would have been boring and I was glad to see the turnout in club class.
I had a great time at the contest with everyone and hope that with club class and the great turnout for the junior event on the east coast this week we may have a sign that persons not on REC complaining, but rather those out in the field are doing good things for the sport.
I fly my glider because it doesn't have wifi, I can be an introvert and so this concludes my once in a decade post and most likely wont be visiting this site for another 10 years.

Fly safe, and strive for perfection knowing you'll never get there.

T21

Good show, Keith! Who knew that a '19 could go so fast?

All the young people who showed up really made Hobbs a great contest! It's amazing what a little youthful enthusiasm and energy does for the feel of a contest. ND is absolutely right: "if every contest could be as fun as this one, you'd soon see a waiting list like perry."

WB