SHAYLENE VADER WINS SPORTSMAN

APRIL 27, 2003-HINGHAM, MA– This was it, opening day of the 2003 New England control line combat season. Conditions were a bit overcast and cool, in the morning, however, by midday the sky cleared and the temperatures warmed giving us a very acceptable day, weather wise. Twelve 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 Matt Stas get off to the best start posting a three cut, 830 point win over Jeff Vader. Jeff and his ten year old daughter, Shaylene, were both participating in their very first contest. Other fast starters in round one included Brian Stas (725 pts) and Paul Kubek (620pts). Glenn Simpson, Joe Fustolo, Dick Sherman and Neil Simpson were also sitting well, all four flyers posting identical 510 point scores. In Round two Matt and Brian Stas drew each other and flew to a one cut apiece draw. Following that match Joe Fustolo and Paul Kubek hooked up and went buzzer to buzzer with Joe earning a three cut to two win. Going into round three Joe Fustolo and Matt Stas shared the lead each owning 1340 cumulative points. Brian Stas was close with 1235 points followed by Neil Simpson (1130pts) and Paul Kubek (1125pts). In the first match of round three Matt Stas stayed hot with a one cut win over Joe Fustolo. In the next match Neil Simpson got a two cut win over Brian Stas. In the next match Paul Kubek improved his position with a three win over “Lil Sherm”.

Going into round four Matt had 1960 points, Paul had 1955 and Neil had 1855. Joe Fustolo (1640pts) and Brian Stas (1635pts) were also very much in contention for the win. The final three matches of the contest seemed destined to determine the outcome. In the first of these Brian Stas got an airtime win over Glenn Simpson. In the very next match Joe Fustolo and Neil Simpson flew to a one cut apiece draw. In the final match Matt Stas and Paul Kubek would fight it out for the contest win. Matt and Paul put on a good show with Matt earning the contest win, two cuts to one. When the scores were tabulated, the final order of finish was Matt Stas, Neil Simpson, Paul Kubek and Brian Stas. On this day there were four sportsmen flyers who battled all day long for the sportsmen “gold”. In the end, Shaylene Vader emerged as the winner, posting an excellent cumulative score of 1550 points. Lil Sherm, who also flew great, was just off that pace with 1320 points. These two kids are both great pilots.

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

12 Contestants (9 from MA) (3 from NH)

24 Matches – 3 mid airs

(A) Matthew Stas-Kingston, MA 2685pts

(E) Neil Simpson-East Brookfield, MA 2365pts

(A) Paul Kubek-Brockton, MA 2355pts

(A) Brian Stas-Kingston, MA 2155pts

(E) Joe Fustolo-Stoughton, MA 2150pts

(S) Shaylene Vader-Franklin, NH 1550pts

(E) Glenn Simpson-Worcester, MA 1530pts

(E) Jim Carpenter-Salem, NH 1445pts

(S) Lil-Sherm-Andover, MA 1320pts

(E) Dick Sherman-Andover, MA 1320pts

(S) Jeff Vader-Franklin, NH 1210pts

(S) Rick Clark-Hingham, MA 1000pts