1999 NWSS Tournament -- Sept. 11-12, 1999
by Waid Reynolds
(scores courtesy of Kirby Parker)

We had a beautiful weekend for the Tournament, and a gorgeous site -- the Anderson Turf Farm a few miles east of Mission, B.C. The contest was hosted by the Vancouver club, The Oakalla Hawks. Arend Borst was club coordinator and Tom Culmsee served as CD for NWSS. The Portland Area Sailplane Society and the Seattle Area Soaring Society provided most of the launch and retrieval equipment. Ole Skotvold also donated the use of his winch and retriever for the final rounds on Sunday.

Even though the weather was pretty, the Fraser River Valley threw us a curve with strong NE winds that no one had predicted. The locals insisted that it would turn around to the west -- so much for local knowledge!. On both contest days the wind started strong first thing in the morning, got stronger until 1 p.m. or so, then suddenly tapered off during the latter part of the last round giving those who sandbagged late into the last rounds a bonus because of the thermals that kicked in after the wind died. The rest of the time thermals as we know them were pretty well suppressed by the wind. We had to work bubbles, waves and gusts as best we could. Ballast became a very important commodity. Falling short of the task time (all 7 ID except 1 4 ID each day) was pretty much de riguer. Landing accurately and on time were also very challenging. Over all the contest was reminiscent of the typical Pasco Tournament, but this one had nicer scenery. The top twelve pilots at noon on Sunday went into the finals, which consisted of 6 rounds of alternating 3 P and 10 ID. There were not many 10 minute flights until the last flight group of the last round when the wind died and the thermals came to life. Fortunately, the ten minute rounds were flown mano a mano, so the suddenly good thermal conditions did not hurt the preceding two flight groups.

Good food and a good time were had by all at the banquet at the new Mission City Lodge on Saturday evening. Gy Russo grabbed the NWSS season points championship trophy with Arend Borst in second. Amy Poole was most improved. Ole Skotvold took first in Competitor. Kirby Parker, Harley Michaelis, and Jim Pugh were promoted to Master Class, which is quite an accomplishment. Jim Porter received the coveted Cliff Mink award for service to RC Soaring in the NW. By the way: this motel is a very nice facility. Everyone who stayed there commented on the nice rooms, good restaurant and low rates.

The results:
Preliminary Rounds (Saturday & 1/2 day on Sunday)
Final Rounds (Sunday afternoon)

Doug Buchanan provided some pictures taken with his Sony Mavica digital camera:
Wild Willy & Company
The 12 Finalists
The Winners
Billy Bob Gloats Over His 36th Place Finish -- A Personal Best