CTWG: Tie Breaker Wins Rocketry Competition for Stratford Eagles

Story by Maj Steven Rocketto

Three Squadrons and 30 Cadets competed in the The 2010 competition for The Commander's Cup. The event went down to the wire. At the end of the official competition, The Stratford Eagles and Thames River Composite Squadron were tied at 13 points each.

In Novice Class competition, Cadet who had never entered the contest before were judged on the construction and finish of a standard kit built rocket. Cadets Riccio of the Eagles and Paquin of Thames River tied for honors and were awarded five points each. Cadet Fusco's entry from the New Haven Minutemen placed third for one point.

The "scratch built" Free Form competition required Cadets to construct a rocket from approved materials such as nose cones and body tubes but kits were not allowed. Laurels were garnered by Cadet Herzog with a model of a Tomahawk cruise missile for five more points for Thames River.

Stratford's Junk Yard Dog by Cadet Walker placed second and garnered three points. New Haven did not enter this event. Thames River took the lead ten to eight.

The Altitude Contest followed. The only restriction was that a standard engine supplied by the Wing must be used. Cadet Walker of Stratford sent his rocket up to 377 feet. New Haven's Fusco 289 feet which was equaled by Cadet Hall from Thames River. The scoring rules gave Stratford ten points and Thames River and New Haven eight points each.

The judges calculated the totals and found that that the Eagles and Thames River were tied at ten points each. A decision was made to use the second best scores from the Novice Class to break the time. The score sheets of Cadet Walker of Stratford and Cadet Daniels were pulled and compared. Each rocket was worth nineteen points based upon construction and finish. After averaging the judge's scores, Cadet Walker earned 14.75 points to Cadet Daniels 13.5 points to win the Commander's Cup.

The CTWG extends it thanks to Al Gloer and the members of CATO, the Connecticut amateur rocket club which has supported this event for the last three years, providing launch support and advice.

The judges were SM Decker, 2Lt Franco, 1Lt Fortes, Capt Petry, and Maj Rocketto.