The weekend 24-25th of January 2010 , I was again honored to be invited back to the Lithuanian F3P Championships.

What a weekend this turned out to be !

My outward bound flight was from Dublin on Friday evening and I arrived in Kaunas late on Friday night. At Kaunas airport I was meet by my friend Ilja and his father who took me to an Hotel, about 1 hour from the city. Next morning was an early rise as we had a further 2 hours to travel to the competition venue.

Like most of Europe, Lithuania was suffering a massive freeze and with temperatures set at -28 DC !

it was very refreshing to the body and soul !!!!!

-28 and we still have fun !!!!

I arrived at Utena Basketball center and was truly amazed at the size and standard of this facility. The main arena was for the competition and there was a second hall for the purpose of trimming flights. I was in ora at the scale of this competition.

Arena Utena Lt 2010

As soon as I arrived, my good friend Donatas was there to welcome me as was Richardas and the rest of my friends from Lithuania. To me this is what is so special about the Lithuanian Championship.

The competition was already started so Donatas kindly showed me his planes that I was to fly. First was his Deluxe V1 , Vytas motor and basically the same as my own Deluxes, Next was his SUltimate that he flew in World Air Games, his planes are total perfection !

Planes supplied to me by Donatas for the competition

I had one 2min flight to get used to the Deluxe/SUltimate and then it was time for me to fly. My flying was far from good on the day, but I was here to enjoy myself.

A special lunch was set for 1-2pm and I was glad of some wholesome food.

Saturday evening had 1 round of F3P followed by AM plus Freestyle and some demos for the spectators. Spectators really enjoyed the electric atmosphere.

Demo flights were flown by Donatas and Danil (Belarus) and the boy wonder David Duval (France)

8pm and we then drove the short distance to the chalets. The chalets were set in a country style park area with woods and a large frozen lake. The place was picture post card ! and the chalets were 5 star accommodation.

Home for the weekend, luxury log chalet

Sauna for the relaxation of pilots

After a quick shower it was time for the evenings entertainment , a Lithuanian Banquet of local foods. This was YUM YUM ! all washed down with a little local vodka. The vodka was for medical purposes !!!!!!

Saturday Night Traditional Lithuanian Banquet for the Pilots

Once the food had been eaten, Danil flew his Sultimate in the small dinning hall,

Danil, entertains us with his amazing indoor skills,

I have never seen skills like it ! totally mind blowing how he could do snaps etc. in such a confined area. 12.30 came very quickly and the pilots set off to their chalets. Donatas followed on and we chatted about planes to the early morn. I learnt alot, if I could only remember. 6.30am came very quickly.

My friends called early Sunday morning, great alarm clock !!!!!!!

Sunday was finals day and after a little hickup( all the diesel cars were frozen) we finally left our chalets and headed to the Arena.

I again got only 1 practise flight and it was not going to be my day, I was not really caring as I was having the time of my life.

Sunday was spent with David and his dad Dom Duval, these people are real gents and great fun to be with. David has a massive future ahead of him in RC , what talent !!!!

Finals over and there was some speed flying with the pylon racing , very very entertaining.

The prize were given out and now was reality time as the Competition was closing for another year. I was sad, as this has to be the best organized most relaxed comp in Europe. Well done to the competition team giving us pilots, a very special time.

I also have to thank all the pilots for a fantastic time.

I have been invited to the Lithuanian Competition during the summer months so I am saving, see you all next year and thanks again.

I would like to thank my sponsors for making my trip possible,

www.expressfly.co.uk

energon solutions

www.flighttech.co.uk

Dungannon and District Council

www.expresssystems.co.uk

More pictures, and Videos ! enjoy