RE: 2008 US Nationals
It is strange that the Masters scores are yet to be posted. I judged the 1st and 2nd rounds of Masters finals yesterday so I'd like to see the results to see if I had things right in my mind.
The Nats was a blast. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this happen.
Congrats to all who participated.
Congrats to the new US team. These guys had to battle some unbelivable competition. They will make us proud I'm sure. I firmly belive that the US could bring 2 teams to the worlds that would be at the top when all was said. To those who were just out of the top 3 like Chip and Sean all I can say is it must be very hard for you. I know I was 4th in a team trials once and it's not easy (1975). You guys flew really well and I don't know what else you could have done. Hang in there and don't give up. The level of competition has gotten better and better and it's really hard to call a clear winner anymore.
Best part of the Nats for me was meeting so many that I have only communicated with via emails for a very longtime. Guys like Jerry Budd, Rusty Fried and the whole California group are cool as all heck. Chad Northeast who helped me out with a prop problem and turned out to be the great guy I knew he was. Meeting Don Szcur, his Dad and of course his son Joseph who is the coolest person in pattern at the age of 8. Seeing old friends like Bill Cunningham, Don Lowe and Ivan. Meeting up with Chris Moon. Practicing with the D5 guys like John, Joe Dunnaway, Tom Gilkey, Todd and Chris and Vernon White. Helping Jack Li with my backup plane so he could experience the last 4 rounds of the Nats. And the best part of the Nats was to see my great friend Jim Hubbard get healthy enough to be there and fly.
Here's some pics I took of things that interested me. Thanks again to everyone, Mike Mueller