We Have a Champion

I have thought long and hard about what to say. I started the 2003 Nationals thread to congratulate all of the individuals that competed. Not to defend or chastise those that flew or those that did not in deplorable conditions. The fact still remains that this was the Nationals and all were vying for the same goal, to be National Champion.

All of the flyers had to make an assessment of the risk involved in flying in the conditions that prevailed on Friday. Those that found the risk to be acceptable are not "stupid" or "crazy" and those that found the risk unacceptable should not have to defend thier decision.

Lets congratulate those who competed and crown our National Champion with all the glory he deserves and move on to next year.

Again, congratulations to David, Ted, Richard, Randy and Constantine you all deserve it.

Now lets put this to rest and move on.

Fair winds and tight lines....

There were a lot of guys getting "drenched" this year (thanks to Windy, et al.), making it to the finals for the first time, winning advanced, etc. It is part of the initiation rites. Last year Doug had to take a shower all by himself. This year more got in on the action.

Now our guys knew what was going on. Poor Konstantine. I think he thought these "dirty capitalist pigs" (my words, not his) were out to get him. But Windy then threw his arms around him and he accepted it in good humor.

Having said all that, I want to add that Konstantine seemed to be one of the nicest guys I have met. It was a pleasure to have made his acquaintence (along with a few others) and I look forward to next year when the various contestants from around the globe appear at our site. It should be fun. (And we will hope for two good weeks of normal Muncie weather and happy flying to all. Really, guys, this was not the normal weather that we experience there.)