Have just returned home from a weekend of watching some great racing. Some impressions...

Conditions are quite variable, wind generally starts light and then picks up. The measurement day gave "almost" no.3 rig weather, but otherwise a change down from No.1 to No.2 around lunch time, then a change back up in the early evening. How well and how often you get the change right will determine your event. Black clouds build up during the day, sometimes giving light rain, sometimes giving a thorough drenching.

Hospitality is stunning, just remarkable. Venue is outstanding. Facilities are very good. Race management doesn't fully understand R/C sailing while undoubtedly being very competent at full-size events. Still some wrinkles to iron out of the umpiring system...

A quick glance at the scores will tell you that positions will change, sometimes dramatically, as the discards kick in. Look out for Peter Stollery, Guillermo Beltri, Franco Borin, and Martin Roberts to drop some awkward numbers.

Bantock's new "Topico" seems on the pace, always there or thereabouts. Notice that Graham rarely posts wins, instead steady top placings.

Scharmer's "Scharming XI" tweaked ultra-narrow beam, hard bilge design is fast! Complete with wooden mast, booms, and florists' wrapping paper sails it is remarkable to watch!

Trevor Binks' "Isis" is also always there or thereabouts, and will be in the hunt right to the end.

Stollery's modified "Tonic" finds the conditions suitable most of the time. Guillermo Beltri will need to stay out of trouble, but when he does his "TS2" has remarkable pace, even in the lighter airs.

Slightly lower down the order, Garcia, Gibson, Priestley, Puthod, and Byerley all showed excellent results at times, and if they can gain consistency will become threats.

The Notice of Race for the 2005 Worlds in AUS is expected soon. POR have indicated their interest in hosting the 2006 Europeans. The Arcos site will be developed into an International centre for radio sailing.

Did I mention that Tito Llana's Andalusian hospitality is simply outstanding? Many thanks to Tito and his team!