2022 RCS Acro Open Swiss Championship at MG Flaachtal

On the day of the competition itself, the weather turned out just as forecast. In the pouring rain, everyone gathered at 8:00 a.m. in the club’s tent, drank hot coffee, and discussed how to proceed. The goal was set to hold the competition at all costs, even if in a scaled-back format. The weather forecast promised a few breaks in the rain, which they planned to use for a few flights. The first break in the rain came shortly after 11:00 a.m. Despite all the adversity, the model airplanes were eagerly assembled, and

the first round of the regional program was able to begin.

After the lunch break, it was the turn of the pilots in the Advanced Program. Shortly after the start, a light drizzle set in, and—just as at the regional competition in April—the waterproof tarps were brought out again and the model airplanes were covered.

It was clear to all participating aerobatic and tow pilots: They wanted to conclude the Swiss Championships with three valid rounds each. Six pilots had registered for the Regional Program, and 11 pilots competed in the Advanced category for a good position in the rankings. Three rounds were flown by each pilot, mostly in light drizzle or during brief breaks in the rain. A big compliment to all the pilots and the five judges for their perseverance and resilience.

Without the MG Flaachtal, the 2022 State Championships would have literally been a washout.

At 5:00 p.m., the awards ceremony took place. Only then did the weather gods take pity on us, and

treated us to a few warming rays of sunshine at the end. Despite everything, the mood remained very positive throughout, and in the end everyone was glad that the entire event had gone off without a single hitch. After all, dirty clothes and grimy model airplanes can always be cleaned!

Pulling off a Swiss Championship under these adverse and wet conditions

deserves great respect from everyone involved: the judges, who sat on their damp mats and awarded points without complaint and with full concentration; the highly motivated tow pilots, who remained unflappable and expertly brought the gliders up to altitude; the pilots who bravely battled through the rain showers and completed their flight programs, and all the volunteers who worked through—

who braved the rain, and not least the members of the MG Flaachtal, who waded through the soggy terrain to treat us to some delicious food. Let’s hope that the weather gods are

be kind to us next season, and that we’ll once again be able to hold a competition under sunny and pleasant conditions. ■

*Hans Gratwohl*