Connecticut Ringer Invitational
MARK RUDNER WINS FAI EVENT ALEX KOPKA TAKES SPEED LIMIT
OCTOBER 26, 2003 – COLUMBIA, CT - On this day the New England combat contingent assembled in Columbia, Connecticut for an event sponsored by the Connecticut Ringers. For the third contest in a row we were faced with challenging weather conditions, however, as always, the show went on. Temperatures were in the low sixties, however, what was at first just a low overcast turned to drizzle, and later, a wind driven rain. The events were F2D combat ( single airplane ) and speed limit ( 73mph ) using AMA slow combat rules.
F2D was the first event. There were eight entries, an excellent showing considering weather conditions and that this was the first time F2D was being flown, in this neck of the woods. Mark Rudner, our adopted New Englander, is the driving force behind this renaissance getting several of us to participate and enjoy these great flying machines. There were a lot of good matches despite the fact that several of us were trying it for the first time. The match of the day was a war between Mark and Roy Glenn that went buzzer to buzzer. There were several cuts by each pilot and non-stop action. It was one of those matches that, win or lose, was enjoyable for both pilots. When the event was over Mark had 5 wins and no loses to take home first place. Neil Simpson went 3-2 to take home second while Alex Kopka at 2-2 finished third.
Speed Limit was run single elimination due to time constraints. There were several good matches as well as some fairly ugly mid airs. In fairness some of the matches that ended poorly did feature some good flying early on. When the dust had settled, Alex Kopka was first, Gerry Pompeii was second and Neil Simpson was third.
Isn’t it nice to see good young pilots like Alex Kopka and Matt Stas on the circuit, continually improving and honing their skills. This reporter had the pleasure of flying Alex and Matt in both events. These are two good smooth flying young pilots who both possess a rare combination of aggressiveness, skill and common sense which allows them to challenge the best pilots and also land airplanes, at the end of the match, with some degree of consistency. On this day, the combat gods, allowed Alex to have the type of success his skills warrant, while they weren’t as kind to Matt, however, he too has been on the trophy stand several times this year. Combat, in the Northeast, is better for having these guys are around.
Thank You to Mark Rudner for all his efforts in bringing this contest to fruition. Thank You to all those that shared in the judging, especially Paul Kubek, who traveled to this contest just to help out. ThankYou to the Connecticut Ringers for sponsoring the contest and to John Merritt who generiously allowed us to use his property as a contest site.
F2D Combat (double elimination) 8 entries
Speed Limit Combat (single elimination) 6 entries