WIB05

Wompatuck Ice Breaker

NEIL SIMPSON, JOE FUSTOLO, BRIAN STAS &

PAUL KUBEK TAKE TOP FOUR SPOTS

SHAYLENE VADER WINS SPORTSMAN

APRIL 17, 2005 -HINGHAM, MA– This was it, opening day of the 2005 New England control line combat season. Conditions were sunny and warm with a light breeze, just perfect. Nine New England pilots were on hand to get the season off to a good start. We were ready for four rounds of Formula GX Combat action.

Round one saw Rick Clark get off to the best start posting a two cut to one win over Glenn Simpson, a very well flown match. Other good starts in round one included Neil Simpson (620 pts) along with Joe Fustolo and Jeff Vader both at 615 points. Brian Stas and Ken Hargreaves were also sitting well, both flyers posting identical 510 point scores. Round two started with Neil getting past Rick with a one cut win. In the next match Jeff and Brian flew to a one cut apiece draw. Meanwhile Glenn Simpson and Paul Kubek had good round two wins to climb into contention. At the halfway point Neil had the lead with 1240 points followed by Glenn (1230 pts), Paul (1130 pts), Jeff (1125pts), Joe (1025pts) and Brian (1020pts). Round three saw Neil and Brian improve their positions greatly each posting two cut to one wins over Glenn and Joe, respectively.

Going into round four Neil had 1965 points followed by Brian (1745pts), Paul (1640pts), Jeff (1635pts) and Glenn (1530pts). The final three matches of the contest seemed destined to determine the outcome. In the first of these Jeff Vader and Rick Clark flew to a one cut apiece draw, both pilots flying very well. Next, Paul Kubek and Glenn Simpson, in another good match, flew to a one cut apiece draw. In the final match Neil Simpson and Brian Stas would fight it out for the contest win. The action built slowly with Neil getting the first cut near the three minute mark. As the four minute point approached, Brian drew even with a cut of his own. Furious action at the end, however, the match ended in a one cut apiece draw. When the scores were tabulated, the final order of finish was Neil Simpson in first, Joe Fustolo and Brian Stas tied for second with Paul Kubek in fourth. Brian and Joe, after two exciting fly-off matches, both ended in a draw, decided second place via a coin flip. On this day Shaylene Vader was the Sportsman division winner.

Thank You to all who shared in the judging and a special thanks to Rick Clark who CD’ed the event, secured the site and did all the great prep work that made this a fun contest.

Wompatuck Ice Breaker - Formula GX Combat

9 Contestants (7 from MA) (2 from NH)

18 Matches - 1 mid air

(E) Neil Simpson-East Brookfield, MA