Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 13:34:15 -1000 From: CFWONG@pb1.pacbell.com (CRAIG F. WONG CF) Message-Id: Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: Road To World Cup - Part V FROM: cfwong@pb1.pacbell.com Friday, September 9th -- Several times through the night, I was awakened by sound of hard rain against our windows and skylight. As we assemble at 6:45 AM in the lobby of the hotel, it is still dark outside and the hard rain has turned to a light drizzle. There would be no breakfast today as the hotel dinning room did not open until 7AM. Amazingly, Team Banzaii is also up early and joins us for the 20 minute walk to the beach. Not surprisingly, we are the first two to arrive at the site. The rain starts again, and we find the only coffee shop and restaurant open near the beach. The wind is blowing as hard or harder than the day before. Winds which topped out at the mid 20's were now at least 25 with gusts and sustained periods in the 30's. During the World Cup, I experienced what I thought I would never see again for quite some time - namely the reverse of a sky void of all kites due to low wind- a sky void of kites because there was too much wind. In my travels, there is always someone crazy enough to try flying no matter what the winds, but there some periods where nothing was up due to the high winds.... Randy and the precision team are huddled together at a corner table. The team decides it needs to make still MORE adjustments due to the high winds. Randy is scribbling new changes on the paper placemat and everyone stares intensely. It would not be as simple as eliminating moves in a routine because the lines & transitions had to also work. In the end, about 20-300f the wind dependent moves were either eliminated or changed. A quick series of finger practice sessions before entering the stage-in area was all that there would be time for. There was equipment to set up and no time to fly the entire routine while we were waiting our turn. The experience of the flyers and their poise would have to make do with a quick warmup and review of the changed portions of the routine. As the judges and other teams arrive, they find the same haven as we do at the coffee shop. The pilots meeting is held inside the coffee shop. Daniel Prentice does a quick roll call of all the teams and looks confident despite the hard rain and fierce rain outside the cafe. It is now 9:30, and an hour later than expected. The rules are outlined for the teams by Viv Watters and Robbi Sugarman. Yes, the winds are high and if they exceed 30 MPH, you can call for a wind check...etc. Competition will continue if there is not TOO MUCH rain or thunder. (This naturally begs questions as to how much is TOO Much?). We will be flying in the parking lot because of the weather and tide conditions. Competition would begin at 11AM. Some teams moan, others groan, we just wanted to get started. A random computer draw reveals that TSUNAMI is 6th in the flight order. Randy is pleased and so are the superstitious members of the team. There are 6 members of our team and we draw our lucky number! We note AIRKRAFT draws 9th, and our Team USA pals, the Sundowners draw 12th. It looks most if not all the major contenders fly later than we do. We would have to set the pace and thus fire the first opening shot towards the cup. As we warm up for the precision, we note that the settings we had the day before are no longer valid. On Thursday, we discovered that the 500 lb test lines, a single 4 inch diaper, and one patch removed provided the right amount of drag. With the increase in winds, the addition of another 8 inch diaper would be necessary. We typically adjust for the following criteria: Amount of Pull (Can we control the kites safely), Speed (Linear), Control (turn sharpness, ability to stall, etc) vertical, and horizontal window size. There are compromises required in each of these dimensions and we felt we had made the proper adjustments for the wind conditions. When the TSUNAMI precision team took the field, a year's worth of preparation, personal sacrifices, dreams, and hopes was in the balance. Every member of the team and the supporting cast of relatives and friends felt the same. With the exception of a slow ground roll, and a minor line tick, the team nails the routine and everyone goes wild! It was now a waiting game as the other contenders for cup have their turn. The team is especially interested in AIRKRAFT's routine. We noticed that late Thursday, they had an especially bad collision while practicing which put a big hole in one of their sails. Our early scouting had indicated that AIRKRAFT and Banzaii would be the teams to watch. I was curious as to how they recovered from that disaster because they stopped their practice soon after the accident. It was apparent after watching AIRKRAFT that they did not have a good day. There were a couple of ground touches during their compulsories and a crash in their freestyle. As each team had their turn, it was really obvious that the field (the parking lot) had holes and backwash which made landings on the left side, and ground work nearly impossible. Despite the conditions, each team gamely did their best because there was no choice and there would be no other chances for the World Title. The crowd, which was expected at 200,000, had pretty much decided that the rain and high winds would make the day miserable and stayed indoors. Those that came were appreciative and warm. I note a special moment when a loud cheer follows the Sundowners removal of their jackets to display their "TEAM USA" sweatshirts. The Sundowners, flying single wings for precision, also fly cleanly. As the day wraps up, we try to relax. The scores are posted. We are on top, ahead by only 2 points--it is anybody's race. Tomorrow is another day, and the Ballet event will be truly be for all the marbles....... In PART VI (the last chapter), the Ballet competition and even more wind ! Craig Wong If something DOESN'T go wrong when you least expect it, then something IS wrong !!!!! ...MURPHY'S SEVENTH LAW --------------------------------------------------------- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =