Thermal Wizard

by Harley Michaelis

Reprinted with the permission of Harley from the NWSS Web Site

Many years back and for several years, the Spokane bunch had a traveling "Thermal Master Trophy" that was awarded to the individual who, over the 2 days, acquired the most air time. The winner would typically be the individual who won the contest, since at the time we had a speific task for each round. Names of winners would be engraved on the traveling trophy. I do not recall if anyone got to keep it or not. One of the failings was that, a flyer could range way out, neglect to get back to the field, but still be given full credit for his air time.

About 10 years ago, when we began having optional tasks per round, I came up with the concept of a "Thermal Wizard" trophy, which would require thermalling skills and which could be won by someone other than the contest winner. An attempt was made to make the trophies attractive and unique to generate interest in winning one.

With "pilot's choice" those interested in winning the contest may opt for doing shorter flights, but those after the "Wiz" would have to go for longer flights. This risked getting a poor score from a contest standpoint, where somebody went for say a 9, but only made 8 minutes, etc.

Having the "Wiz" involved gave something to shoot for, even if chances of winning the contest were poor. It became more interesting when it was necessary to win 3 times for permanent possession. Sometimes it would be well into 2 contest seasons before someone got it 3 times. Over time several names would be engraved on the trophy as different people got temporary possession. If someone had won it 2 times, everyone else was more determined to prevent a 3rd win. A condition was that the trophy had to be available at the next regular contest until it was won 3 times. Then another trophy would voluntarily be made.

The trophies were were intended for use at "east side contests". If an "interloper" from Seattle, etc. won it, it had to be on hand for the next regular contest this way. That is, it could not be taken out of the area and used at Seattle, etc. The intent was to stimulate participation and interest within our contest area. If "foreigners" wanted to show up to try to win it, that was fine, but if they took it home, it had to be at the next contest this way!

The rules were further tightened when time over the target time (or over the max in an Add-Em-Up) could not be counted and when any flight exceeded the target time by 30 seconds, the time would not count. To avoid a flyer getting credit when he failed to get back to the field, the rules evolved to require landing within 100 feet of where landing points could have been made. This was easy to step off, simply being twice the number of paces to walk the 50' line length. Timers had to know the difference between putting a "DQ" and a "0" on the score card.

In many contests, a second or 2 was all that separated the contenders. Although for contest points it was the same, it became important to be a second over target time, rather than a second under, so this involved some strategy. Contenders might willingly blow a landing or pass up a better contest score to get extra time needed to get the Wiz. That is, rather than doing an easy 5 minute, go for a 7 or a 9, etc. for more air time, but fall short for a poor contest score.

The "rules" were largely the whim of the guy who made the trophy. I made most of them, so am largely responsible for the rules are they presently stand. One important objective was to not have it be a landing contest. . . hence only the 100 foot stipulation for the time to count. Someone could go for the Wiz, but willingly blow a landing to get a few more seconds of air time. I remember doing exactly that at a Farragut contest one year, to prevent Guy Russo, I think, from getting a 3rd win. He got it at a later contest, though!

Harley Michaelis