July 7, 2025: Control Line Combat

By Bob Mears

F2D combat is a double-elimination event, that started on Monday, July 7th. Round one went well. The most interesting match was when the only two female pilots had to fly against each other. That was Anna Minor (next year’s World Championship Junior pilot team member and/or open female pilot team member) and Aimee Olson. They not only had a great match, they had to re-fly twice due to even scores.

Speaking of team members. Our 2026 F2D team for Australia will be Dave Fischer, Andy Minor, and Mark Rudner. Those pilot flew some stellar matches and I think it is one of the best F2D teams we have ever had. Austin Minor will be going to Australia as the returning world Junior champ. So if you didn’t notice, there will be three Minor family members representing the USA at the world championships. That is impressive, to say the least! Alternate pilots will be Rylan Rich, Chuck Rudner, and Bill Maywald.

Two and a half rounds were flown today with fabulous weather. Most rounds went well. There were a couple of disqualifications. One was for a handle restraint breaking, one for an engine safety cable breaking, and one red flag disqualifying the pilot from continuing the event. After tempers cooled, we are all still friends. Combat is simply a huge amount of fun! BTW, I want to give a big shout out to Randy Ritch of Ritch’s Brew fuel. Randy is a big sponsor of control line combat ,and has been for many, many years. Every pilot that flys combat, or any other modeling event, should make a point to purchase their fuel from Randy exclusively. Nobody else is standing up to that plate. And fuel is not cheap! Randy’s not growing his own corn to make this stuff. Show your appreciation by buying Ritch's Brew fuel!