By Buzz Wilson
Chehalis Cup Number 3 is history and there is a new champion. Entering the final contest on Saturday Robert Smith led the pack with eight cuts. There were three flyers with seven, one with six, and then there was Jim Green and Ken Burdick.
The Beavers' were not able to make the contest leaving six flyers to compete for the cup. The previous weekend Jeff and Ken went out to practice, and Robert and I tested on Wednesday. This was going to be a serious contest. To keep it interesting I decided to fly the high point flyers against each other in the early rounds. The first match of the day would be between the reigning champion Jeff Rein and the leader Robert Smith.
After a drought at the Bladder Grabber, Robert was hungry and soon turned Jeff into a Safeway Chicken by getting three cuts on him. Don McKay and I were tied each with seven cuts entering our match. Don got a cut on me before a line wrap and my shutoff activating. Going into the contest, Ken's plan was to get at least two cuts per match, he got one against Jim.
The second round began with Robert flying Don and getting one cut on him. Jeff flew Jim and got one cut on him. I flew Ken; well not really, Ken was having problems and managed not to get in the air. Ken would need to get five cuts on his next opponent.
Robert flew Jim to begin the third round and got one cut on him. Ken and Don flew the next match and the only cuts were on the airplanes. Jeff and I had a great time flying. In the middle of the match we took a 10 second break to catch our breath. Jeff got one cut.
It was time for lunch and equipment repair. It was hot but a good breeze kept it comfortable. Robert was the most comfortable with a substantial lock on the cup with 13 cuts and his closest competitor, Don McKay, with nine.
Photo: Last year's champion Jeff Rein congratulates Bob Smith (right) on winning the series in 2011. Buzz Wilson photo,
Don and Jeff began the fourth round with Jeff getting a cut on Don. Robert flew Ken and got two cuts on him. Jim and I ended our match early with a midair.
Ken and Jeff flew for the full three minutes. Well almost the full time, Ken went down with four seconds remaining in the match. Each with a cut, but Ken losing the match with his downtime. Don flew Jim and got one cut. I flew Robert and managed not to get a cut on him or let him get a cut on me. The match ended in a tie.
Robert, who began the day with eight cuts picked up seven for the day and won the C-Cup. Jeff and Robert tied for the contest but Robert beat Jeff giving him first for the day, with Jeff getting second, and Don third.
We are taking bets as to how long the cup will sit on a shelf before becoming a water bowl for Rufus.
Here are the results (Northwest standings points in parentheses):
80 MPH COMBAT (6 entries)
1. Robert Smith (6)
2. Jeff Rein (5)
3. Don McKay (4)
4. Ken Burdick (3)
5. Jim Green
Buzz Wilson
FINAL 2011 CHEHALIS CUP POINTS STANDINGS
1. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash., 15 cuts
2. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash., 10 cuts
Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash., 10 cuts
4. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore., 7 cuts
Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash, 7 cuts
6. Ken Burdick, Kent, Wash., 5 cuts
7. Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash., 4 cuts
8. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore., 2 cuts
This page was upated Aug. 29, 2011