Free Flight European Championships, Romania. Daily Reports 18th - 20th July

Those of us travelling by Whizz Air on the 8.10 am flight to Cluj-Napoca met up at Luton Airport in the early hours of the morning. Numerous large boxes were deposited at the over size luggage desk and we made our way through all the checks. Boarding was quick as soon as we were called, and although the plane left slightly behind time the pilot made it up and we landed right on schedule.

Luggage and model box collection was plain sailing with not a lost suitcase or more importantly model box in sight and all that was left was car collection and a 2 hour drive to our hotel in the very pleasant town of Deva. Slight mix up in room allocation but quickly sorted out. A very pleasant evening meal followed and we were all set for an early morning start.

Another participant arrived at 11pm after driving over 1000 miles.

We all 8 travelled to the flying site at different times during the morning, with it already being exceedingly warm. Lots of practice took place in all three classes .

Facilities onsite were adequate , although a distinct lack of vegetarian food on offer for the two members of the party who are vegetarian. The site itself is in a pleasant open area bounded on one side by a large sunflower field. Slightly undulating ground but nothing to make retrievals difficult. Very little wind , although there were a couple of gusts at lunch time which nearly took a couple of awnings away.

Members of the team convened at 7pm for dinner and to discuss the day and put plans in place for a very early start on Saturday.

The alarm trilled at 5am !!!

We planned to be at the field for 6am for a 7am start.

The Friendship Cup was the days competition being contested by Bill College and John Carter. Other team members were going to be busy preparing and trimming.

A slight problem arose when it was discovered a bus was blocking some of the team in the car park at the hotel, but eventually we all made it out of the town and arrived in time.

The competition started on time with Bill and John on pole 6. They had a rather inexperienced timekeeping group, but they were welcoming and friendly. John's first flight maxed at 4 mins, but unfortunately Bill had two attempts so recorded no time for the first round. After a 3.39 in the second round and a max of 3 mins in the third Bill decided not to continue.

John managed 3 mins in the second round and then had three successful further rounds with three 3 min maxes.

The weather deteriorated rapidly and the competition was halted due to thunder and lightening. Torrential rain added to the poor conditions so we all returned to the hotel hoping for improved weather for Sunday.

The final two members of the team arrived later in the afternoon so we are at full strength now .

Looking forward to a good day tomorrow .