Friday, 4th December 2015

A final early morning here at the Palm DZ for the Canopy Piloting competitors.  7.30 wheels off and by 11.00 the competition was over! 

We started the morning with three rounds of Speed on the LH calving course and almost no wind conditions.  At the end of an exciting three rounds we had a result - with Nick Bastch, USA first - Curtis Bartholomew, USA 2nd and Cornelia Mahi, UAE 3rd.  Nick was excited on his landing as he had a minor control problem - so 'I just went for it' he said, and it obviously worked. 

We then switched to the completion of the final round of Distance which was interrupted yesterday as we ran out of time on our slot.    The top competitors made their flights and the excitement was high because the result of  this round's distance would determine the overall position, they were so close.  Would it be Nick Batsch or his team-mate and friend, Curtis Bartholomew.  Nick made it to 128.11 m whereas Curtis, who follwed him into the course, made 133.27 placing him in 4th above Nick in 5th place for Distance and therefore in the Gold Medal position Overall. 

Meanwhile Cornelia had sailed past all of them with a final flight of 144.72 m - placing her First for Distance, and in 3rd place Overall.  Guillhume Bernier, France was in 2nd place and Pablo Hernandez Moll, Spain in 3rd.

All these results are 'unofficial' until signed off by the Chief Judge - and can be accessed by the button at the top of the page to Live Results.  The World Air Games is huge and there is a heavy media pressence and team working here, including live-streaming TV each day - go to the menu button at the top or follow this link WAG to see some of the amazing footage being put together - often thanks to the Camera Flyers from Skydive Dubai who are working to provide parachuting images for them.  (as caught above)

6.30 am the sky is filled with hot air baloons	WAG 2015

At 12.00 we had a Canopy Piloting Competitors and Judges meeting to discuss the rules for Freestyle.   CP Event Judge, Bjorn asked those who did not want to compete in the Freestyle event, to let him know, so that the aircraft loading lists could be finalised.   He clarified that this event did not count in the Overall placings - that competition was now over, and this one would stand alone.  He then discussed and handed out, the Drama Sheets, for each competitor to detail their moves for each of the three rounds.  He further explained that they would be using 5 judges; 1 to judge the Technical aspect of the move and points would be awarded for the degree of difficulty and technical precision of completion.  Three judges would judge the presentation and creativity and the 3rd the landing.  Each judge could award a maximum of 20 points. 

Touching the water counted as the "entry gate" so by touching the water you ensured the default score of 3 points.  However, landing in the water ensured a 0 score from the landing judge.  The judges and spectators would be sat centrally on one of the long sides of the pond (position not finally decided). meaning it would be possible to exit the pond on either side - to be stated on the drama sheet.

There were a couple of questions relating to the weight rules which Bjorn read and clarified to the meeting.  However, he did say that there would be the opportunity to hold a further Competitors Meeting later to discuss the competition and rules generally.

He then took a roll call of competitors to establish who would not be jumping in the Freestyle Event.  Tomorrow we have two slots, 9.00 to 10.00 and 15.00 - 17.30, so it was planned to hold one round in the morning and the remaining 2 rounds in the afternoon.  That was it for the day, and tomorrow we start at 9.00 am.

Curtis Bartholomew, USA Gold Overall Gold Zone Accuracy	Nicholas Bastch, USA Silver Overall Gold Speed	Cornelia Maihi, UAE Bronze Overall Gold Distance
Christian Webber Jenson, DEN Silver, Accuracy Landings	Guillaume Bernier, FRA Silver, Distance	Pablo Hernandez Moll, ESP Bronze Distance