When the Head of Competitions asks you in a low conspiratorial voice, in a quiet corner of an airfield, somewhere in middle England, "Would you like to try something you have never done before?" I have to say your mind does race! When he further explained he was offering me the role of CD at Fenland I was both shocked AND relieved all at the same time. A larger than normal field than for recent competitions just increased my angst but the entry list was a pleasure to see and long may this situation continue.

Friday was the day for Club class pilots to strut their stuff, flying their known sequence twice. A mixed aircraft field saw a Pitts S2, a Bisport, two Slingsby's and G-EEEK (an Extra 200), battle it out.

Coming out on top was Ian Turner in the Pitts with a cracking combined score of over 82%.

The Intermediates battle for the Fenland Trophy was a 6 horse race (with 50% of them called David), with KITI flyer and Sleap based Alex Cartwright taking the high scores in both the Fridays Free/Known and Unknown sequences.

With more of an International flavour at Advanced, Paul Elvidge was competing against the Dutch pilots Ringo Massa and Rene Kamphues. All this flying being  carefully monitored by Acting CD Phil Massetti who very gallantly step up to the line and covered for my early morning work orientated absence. Thanks Phil.

A 0800hrs briefing on Saturday, may have caught a few pilots out, not to mention the "more mature" Judging line but a full turnout for the morning briefing was gratefully acknowledged. With the need to chase the good weather ever present we needed to start early. To kick off the flying programme on Saturday morning was the Sports class competing for the McAully Trophy. This part of the competition included the McAully +3. whereby three chosen figures are added to a known sequence.

First up was Sam Kempsey flying G-EEEK who turned in a pretty good performance and set the pace for the rest of the competition. Sam flew first, and with an overall percentage of nearly 84% after the round he finished first. He took the competition and the McAully trophy back home for the second year running. With a 10% score lead over his nearest rival – banter of "Move Up!" and "Intermediate Now!" were voiced in Sam's direction as he departed the presentation with a rye smile.

With rain showers and low cloud occupying most of the day – we flew when we could. The Advanced competitors managed their further flights before there was a nail biting climax to Saturday to see whether we could manage to fly the third sequence for the Intermediates before the 7pm curfew. Following a planned and briefed time line with various hold positions and hand signals, the Intermediate pilots did me proud and responded to requests without question – who said , organising pilots is like herding cats?

With a locally arranged "time extension", thank you Ray Tower, Ian Smith completed the last flight of the day landing at 1909hrs. Job done.

If only I had my camera with me when I advised the Judging line I had arranged the briefing for Sunday morning for 0800hrs again! There is always next weekend to lay in. My reasoning for depriving the line and the remaining pilots of their beauty sleep was the weather was only going to get worse throughout Sunday – so early start it must be.

Alex Cartwright hung on to his lead in the Intermediate field and was declared the winner of the Fenland Trophy, leading the second place pilot Jan Nijhof by just under 12%, David Slater being declared the third place recipient.

Rene Kamphues took the Advanced title over his Dutch compatriot Ringo Massa with Paul Elvidge in third.

By mid morning there was a realisation that the weather of the Fenland area was going to beat us and with no real expectation of better weather on the way as well the need for pilots to get home  - some having to travel further than others – the competition was declared complete  at 1145hrs. The usual thanks are necessary to firstly the pilots, a safe and ordered approach to a larger than normal entry field. The Judging Line under the command of Nick Buckenham and not forgetting the First Lady of CIVA, scoring director, Jen Buckenham.

A special thanks to our European friends travelling from far to sit and watch a lot of British clouds, but a three medal haul will no doubt make the trip back easier.

From the airfield thanks must go to Ray and his team from the tower and Katie Booth and her team of staff behind the counter. What many of you will not know is that Katie is also the airfield liaison officer nominated to deal with events and organisations like the BaeA. It takes a certain kind of woman to be able to talk NOTAMS and circuit patterns whilst at the same time whipping up a cream filling for one of her gorgeous cakes and ordering extra bread because of the associations  presence, whilst organising B+B's for the Dutch visitors.

As long weekends go - All in all I kinda enjoyed myself....

Leif Culpin, contest director