down in flames [Updated October 2004]  

 2004 WBC Report  

 2004 Status: pending December Membership Century Vote

Chris Janiec, PA

2004 Champion

2nd: Joe Harrison, KY

3rd: Chris LeFevre, AZ

4th: John Alsen, MN

5th: David Metzger, NY

6th: Sal Vasta, VA

Event History
1999    Roger Taylor     21
2000    Mike Lam     30
2001    Mike Lam     24
2002    Andy Lewis     32
2003    Legend Daniel Hoffman     36
2004    Chris Janiec     27


Offsite links:

AREA Ratings

boardgamegeek

 Laurels
Rank Name

From

Last
Total
 1. Michael Lam

CA

01
70
 2. Roger Taylor

VA

03
63
 3. Ed Karpowicz

DC

03
42
 4. Legend Dan Hoffman

NC

03
30
 5. Andy Lewis

DE

02
30
 6.  Chris Janiec

PA

04
26
 7. Steve Caler

PA

03
24
 8. Kris Weinschenker

PA

02
21
 9. Rich Phares

VA

02
21
10. Bill Alderman

VA

01
21
11. Chris LeFevre

AZ

04
20
12. Andy Maly

MD

00
16
13. Joe Harrison

KY

04
12
14. Peter Perla

VA

03
12
15. Geoge Young

VT

00
12
16. Michael Nagel

NJ

99
12
17. Winston Forrest

VA

00
  8
18. John Alsen

MN

04
  6
19. Charles Eastman

VA

02
  6
20. David Metzger

NY

04
  4
21. John Ellsworth

IL

00
  4
22. Roy Gibson

MD

02
  3
23. Jim Gutt

AZ

99
  3
24. Sal Vasta

VA

04
  2

Past Winners

Roger Taylor - VA
1999

Mike Lam - CA
2000-2001

Andy Lewis - DE
2002

Legend Dan Hoffman - MD
2003
 


Down in Flames ...

The preliminary round format was double elimination using pre-determined aircraft in rounds of two dogfights each, from which three players with 3-0 records and five 2-1 players with the best net score advanced. The preliminary round aircraft used this year were from RISE OF THE LUFTWAFFE, C&H and ZERO!

Round 1 1 element A6M5 + 1 element of Ki-61 vs. 2 elements Hurricane IIB
Round 2 1 element Ki-44-2b + 1 element of Ki-84-Ia vs.1 element F4U-1 + 1 element Seafires
Round 3 2 elements Bf-109E vs. 1 element Spitfire I + 1 element Hurricane I

The final eight players were seeded on best record first, then by best net score. In the quarterfinals, the advancing players had to figure out the best way to use two elements of the sturdy P-40E Warhawks in dealing with two elements of the 1942 Pacific menace, the agile but fragile Japanese A6M2 or Zeke. The Japanese dominated the eight dogfights played in the quarterfinals, 6-1-1, winning by a margin of five points a dogfight. Three of the higher seeds advanced: Joe Harrison (#2) defeated Peter Perla (#7), 19-to-7, Chris LeFevre (#3) defeated Sal Vasta (#6), 9-to-7, and Chris Janiec (#4) defeated defending champion, Daniel Hoffman (#5), 17-to-12. The lone upset had John Alsen (#8) defeating David Metzger (#1), 17-to-12, in a close contest that wasn't decided until the last turn of the second game.

The semi-finals would be another equally challenging round between two elements each of Bf-109Fs against Spitfire Vs. The Bf-109s' edge was its leader's performance rating while the Spitfires' would counter with its own advantage, an extra damage point per aircraft. The Spitfires' advantage ultimately prevailed, winning three out of four games played. This round was very equal as the margin of victory for both combined matches was only 1.5 points! Chris Janiec barely defeated Chris LeFevre, 16-to-15, while Joe Harrison narrowly defeated John Alsen, 17-to-15.

The finals consisted of two elements of N1K2-Js (George) vs. two elements of F4U-1c Corsairs. The first game ended with Joe Harrison's Georges winning by a good margin, 17-to-7. After switching aircraft for game 2, Chris Janiec's Japanese elements battled back slowly, until finally at the end of the six regulation turns, the match was tied, 24-to-24, forcing an overtime turn. In the first ever DIF Finals overtime period, Chris Janiec shot down the last of Joe Harrison's damaged Corsairs to take the championship and his first WBC wood, 27-to24!

 GM      Michael Lam  [2nd Year]   NA
    mike_lam@mindspring.com   NA

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