By Buzz Wilson

When we planned the 2012 combat schedule, we wanted to use this contest as a tune-up for the Bladder Grabber. We would fly high performance Half A and F2D Kills.

At the pilots' meeting, it was decided to fly both events as round robin. This meant each flyer would fly every other flyer. Placing would be decided based on wins and losses. In the event of a tie, head-to-head results would determine the outcome. With the round robin format, there are no reflies; a no decision is a tie. Pilots agreed to the 30-second starting period and a four-minute match. This is working well.

Half A

There were some good Half A matches with Jeff Rein going undefeated and winning first. Robert Smith was second and Don McKay third. Half A finished around noon and it was time for Bod Busters Official Caterer Roberta Martin's lunch. Southern Fried Chicken, salads, fresh fruit, and my favorite, homemade oatmeal cookies. Scott got into the swing of things and brought his secret salsa. Roberta has been known to put care packages in flyerscars for the drive home.

With well-fed flyers, F2D Kills started at 1:00; again flying the round robin format. Pilots are given time to warm their engine. A 30-second starting period is then given. Matches are four minutes long.

In many of the matches, there would be a cut by one flyer and their opponent would come back and get the kill. Most flyers used the same plane all day long.

Jeff was on a roll having won all four Half A matches and his first three F2D matches when I had to fly him. Jeff got a cut on me, but I was able to come back and get a kill. Jeff finished F2D kills with three wins and one loss. For the day, he had seven wins and one loss -- I think the back surgery was successful. It is good to see Jeff returning to his old form.

Having a competitor like Jeff to fly against has elevated the flying skills of everyone. One of the better matches of the day was between Jeff and Jim Green. Jim was chasing Jeff all over the sky. At the end of the match Jeff was overheard telling Jim what an awesome match.

Robert was a round behind with one win and one loss when we flew. Robert needed to win out to keep his lock on the overall C-Cup standings. Robert and I test fly equipment and practice fly combat once a week during the summer. The practice flying is a good way to make shop space for new equipment and our record against each other is pretty even counting wins, losses, and destroying old equipment. Going into my final match of the day, I needed to beat Robert to secure first. I had a fuel tube come loose from the connecting “T” and was down on airtime when I got into the circle. I saw a chance for the kill and got it.

Robert then flew Don for third and fourth. When the match was over with, Don's plane looked like it had been toilet papered with Roberts's streamer.

Scott and his two sons Daniel and Nathan helped judge. For the last three matches, Daniel was running the matches. They do a great job, and it helps to have young eyes on streamers.

With only one contest remaining there has been a shakeup in the standings. Robert, the current C-Cup champion, dropped from first place to being tied with Jeff for second; both have 6 wins. Don McKay is in third place and has 5 wins. Jim Green is in fifth place with 1 win. I had a good day and moved into first place with a total of 8 wins. Four contestants have a chance to win the 2012 C-Cup which will be decided at the final contest.

Here are the results. (Northwest standings points in parentheses)

HIGH-PERFORMANCE 1/2-A COMBAT (5 entries)
1. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (5)
2. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (4)
3. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash. (3)
4. Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash. (2)
5. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash.

F2D FAST (5 entries -- Points counted as Speed Limit Combat)
1. Buzz Wilson (5)
2. Jeff Rein (4)
3. Don McKay (3)
4. Robert Smith (2)
5. Jim Green