On schedule: Landres 2005, selected as a Qualification contest for German F2D, but this is not so serious. More important is to meet the commitments to exchange judges. Therefore Brigitte and I are judging in F2B and Katja -to the large joy of Gerda - in F2D as timer/counter.  Garnished with Anja as a combat-pilotress and Angelika responsible for the photos. Susi & Holger were apologized - they had their wedding day! They should have coordinated this s better with the contest calendar, bur Holger insisted to have had his date earlier then Jean Paul and so we can accept the excuse!

707 km - a night shift again, and Saturday 3.30AM we finally arrived. Nice to know that the contest will start not before noon, but on the other hand there is no more sleep anyway after 8am: some needed the "drug" called training and the lawn mover does not sing a sleeping song too.

So we got up, had a breakfast , wet to shopping and had a look at the preliminary list of participants. Number 11 for F2B was quite relieving. I thought for three rounds on Saturday, minimum two. But: we are in France here, so Start at 14.30PM and the remaining two round on Sunday.

The weather was developing to hell's conditions: Title of "Bild" (yellow press) "Murdering Sun!" It became the hottest day of the year: 35°C ! Up to now we dammed the wind in Landres, especially when my daughter had to fly. This year we did pray for Petrus to not stop the ventilation machine. This was the only way to resist, Sun blocker use provided.

There was no opening ceremony, around 12.30PM flying speedies testified the beginning of the contest. There was a new pilotress from the French club - Aurelie Aube . Last year "only" counter in F2D - this year she went around the pylon and did it fast! It is the same in JPP's club as ago in our's: All what is fathered has to fly, despite of the random gender! But in the moment there is an advantage for the French offspring! 

In combat there was a field of 27 pilots - quite relaxing and therefore dangerous, because of the lack of pressure in time! So it came as expected: Combat was the last category what found it's winner on late Sunday afternoon! We had with Axel, Lothar, Johann, Andreas and Anja a numerable team but all they retired quite soon! 

By the way- no Ukrainian team at site. 

In the Stunt category one round on Saturday only, remaining rounds on Sunday. The models quite as usual, only the x. modification! Serge did not only re-paint his model, he had surely a new one! We wondered about his first round: first attempt, 2nd attempt - nothing! The engine went on strike! After exchange of the engine and two excellent rounds later he ranked 2nd finally.

Luc showed up with - I think - the 11th version of his model and won unchallenged.

New (at least for me) the models of father & son Billon, looking close to Retro, double fin and so on. Gerard Billon, who's models I know from the past only in the tricolour-style, designed a new finish for his Acro-Stunter: Basic green. May be there are some new sponsors: BP and the local brothel - or how to interpret the sticker at the model (hi)! Eddy had the same model, but other finish.

For me a surprise- Metkemeijers in F2B ! Bert had a model aged around 30 years and similar to these of Billon's, whilst Rob drove an Ukrainian style, maybe out of Yatsenko's forge, I don't know. Both of them proofed that the fastest can also fly beautiful! Stunt is simply the cradle of all C/L! 

In the centre of the attention the class F2C. 19 teams were announced, plus F2F. First two heats on Saturday, the rest on Sunday. Final race Sunday half past five: 2 French teams against Austria at 32°C ambient! 90 seconds warm-up: a joke at these temperatures (a complete amateur, that I am!) and so I emptied my water bottle over my steaming head to cool down and watch the race. At the first pit stop a slight mistake of Fischer/Straniak and off they were. Unchallenged Ougen/Surugue, circling faultless and winning well deserved.

On Saturday in the evening then the banquet in the local facilities. This years presentation - after a Birthday Cake last year - was the unveiling of the official Logo of the 2008 World Championships. JPP and his team want to do it again - in 2008! One can wish all the best to them and I'm sure it will become a championship of superlatives again! We are wishing best success and we are willing to help if we can !

Sunday 18.30PM, an early price giving for Landres in front of the new W/C's Logo - W/C feeling life! Everyone got a souvenir and someone a diploma inclusive goblet.

Next year, following JPP, the Grand Prix de France will not happen as usual. The reason is: major building activities on site. If I understood the right way there will be a sporting hall and a public pool built on the grounds. So then until 2008!

In 2006 there will be divided competitions: Combat in June and Racing in September. Surely we will be there! Up to then we wish happy working and say thank you to the whole team. It was a really nice event and a good pre-pre-test for 2008's W/C !