Kites
More about kites and kiting
Kenilworth Winter League 6th February 2005.
After a few years in the doldrums, the winter league 2004/2005 season seems to have captured renewed interest and gained more participants.
It is really pleasing to note that there is more Midlands interest this year, and there seems to be some keen, good-natured, local rivalry.
Thanks to conversations on "fractured axel" a local fly in was organised at Kenilworth on 6th February at very short notice. Sadly, this clashed within MKF fly in at Evesham, but apparently the Evesham site would not have been ideal for a league, and a number of us were limited for time on the day. This is the second event at Kenilworth this year. It is a good location, with plenty of space, and the expected amounts of mud and footballers.
Keith Barlow, Paul Collins, Ian Newham, Roy Ashton and myself all arrived in the early after noon to absolutely no wind, and very dull skies. Various kites were tried, and we considered making one of the figures a 360! By 2.30p.m.there was a small breeze, so we agreed the figures and went for the league.
It was Keith's first Dual Line Individual league, and being the proud owner of a brand new Fury (grey so his daughter can colour it in), he has to borrow my T2 ultra-light to fly in the low breeze. Seeing his superb first two figures, we thought we might as well pack up and go home. Roy was next with an Acara, designed and built by Ian. When it came to my turn the wind died completely. That was my excuse.
Ian showed that once an expert always an expert, even though he wasn't familiar with the current figures.
Paul came last with a perfect wind for the T2 ultralight - again my excuse. Paul and I are engaged in our own league rivalry after the narrowest of victories to Paul in Sutton Coldfield in 2003/2004.
The results:
1st Paul Collins 59.42
2nd John Williams 56.67
3rd Ian Newham 56.17
4th Roy Ashton 55.75
5th Keith Barlow 46.25
Sadly there was no time for a pairs competition, so "What-Can" will have to fight another day.
As the sun came out, low in the sky, the trick kites came out, Ian advised me on bridling a home designed kite, and Roy practised with his Revolution ready for Blackheath.
Scores this year? Paul Collins 2 - John Williams 1; but with winter leagues being such fun this year, every one is a winner.
Watch out for a possible league on 10th April: Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield.
Boldmere Fliers
A few photos from the MKF/ Boldmere Kite Fliers meeting on 9th January. The weather was very windy. I wasn't able to get there until the last hour and a half by which tine the wind was 22mph with gusts much higher. I flew the T2 vented with the large panels open, then risked a fully stuffed Fury which coped very well, but I hurt a bit afterwards!
Ian Wilson.
Ian's vented Rev.
Ian's rev again.
My vented T2.
June Walker
Comments on the day can be made here, or at the MKF forum.
Articles and other pages
Here is an article I wrote for MKF news on my first attempt at sport kite building. The BDUB M3.An article on the building of my Dopero.