FWIW, after judging Classic for two days and wandering around scoping out the flyers for three days before hand, I've got to point out that the dude with the Panther is, indeed, Bill Wilson and Bill is, indeed, the real thing when it comes to flying tricks. I watched several practice flights on the grass that were as good as anybody's on the perennial "hot dog" practice circle. Crisp corners, nailed bottoms and consistently the best sizes of anybody practicing.
I got a whiff of some nerves on his official flight for us which didn't quite come up to what I saw on the practice ones. Once he gets rid of any nerves (he doesn't need 'em because he is really, really good enough to fly anywhere) he's going to be right there come the end of day two.
Although it pains me to admit it, the two guys who impressed me the most (for unanticipated excellence, that is) both came from the Lone Star state. Bill was good as described, but the one who blew me away during officials was none other than Linda Bob's less loquacious other half, Dale Gleason. He not only "nailed" 45 degrees to a degree that "nobody" else did, he combined it with absolutely awesome shapes, bottom and corners. I kept wanting to peek under his Lone Ranger mask to see who was hiding under there! I don't know who's been coaching him, but he must be stunt's equivalent of golf's Harmon brothers. I didn't have a chance to check scores but I'm reasonably certain he must have been very happy with what I wrote down.
Good jobs by both of these nice guys.
Ted
p.s. judging beside Ms Ricki Pyatt for two days was a complete delight. Sharp, well versed on the rules and uniformly and conscientiously attentive to all 80+ flyers we judged; from Billy's little buddy Bobby (you had to be at the banquet) to # 87 or so.
Mr. Lucky was a "lucky" man.
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