Team USA at the 2010 World ARDF Championships

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Photos by Dick Arnett WB4SUV, Ken Harker WM5R, Jay Hennigan WB6RDV, Joseph Huberman K5JGH, Dale Hunt WB6BYU and Marvin Johnston KE6HTS

Hotel Opatija was just one of many hotels housing the participants.  Note the flags on some of the balconies, especially the balcony with both Canadian and German flags. Nick Roethe DF1FO competed for Canada, his nation of birth, while his wife Brigitte competed for Germany, their nation of residence.  (WB6RDV)

Team USA resided in the Hotel Kvarner, which was built in 1884 as a retreat for Austrian nobility. Opening and ceremonies and awards banquets were in this hotel  (K5JGH)

Competitor and visitor fees included meals, which were sumptuous buffets.  (KE6HTS)

The St. Jakoba Church, next door to the Hotel Kvarner, is the oldest church in the town and a very popular location for weddings. Dennis Schwendtner WB6OBB appreciated this model with Braille information in several languages, provided by the Lion's Club.  (KE6HTS)

Jay Hennigan WB6RDV, Bob Cooley KF6VSE and Ruth Bromer WB4QZG arrive at the Platak Ski Resort for their second day of training.  (K5JGH)

This is a typical Croatian forest scene.  (K5JGH)

At the opening ceremony, a view from the balcony of all of the team representatives with their flags and signs.  USA is at the far left.  (WB6RDV)

Dick Arnett WB4SUV held the flag for the USA and Lori Huberman held the sign.  (WM5R)

Participants had this view for many hours on training, model event and competition days. The bus rides were long and started early.  (WB4SUV)

Vadim Afonkin KB1RLI decided that the bus was a good place to sleep.  (WM5R)

Some teams, including the one from Czech Republic, have their own vehicles.  (WB4SUV)

Team USA members and officials relaxing at a stop on the way to the Model Event on September 14.  Back row: Dick Arnett, Harley Leach, Karla Leach, George Neal, Alla Mezhevaya, Vadim Afonkin, Jerry Boyd, Bob Cooley, Dennis Schwendtner, Jay Hennigan.  Front row: Ruth Bromer, Lori Huberman, Marvin Johnston, Kuon Hunt.  Competitors not pictured: Dale Hunt, Jen Harker, Ken Harker.  (KE6HTS)

This was the first world championships in which a team from Canada took part. Three of the team members are inspecting a micro-transmitter by Nick Roethe DF1FO. They are Les Tocko VA7OM, Joe Young VE7BFK and John MacConnachie VE7GED.  (WM5R)

The Model Event was like a mini-hamfest, with opportunties to meed old ARDF friends and check equipment.  (WB6RDV)

Lori Huberman, Ruth Bromer WB4QZG and Jay Hennigan WB6RDV prepare their two-meter sets for the model event practice.  (K5JGH)

Ruth Bromer WB4QZG and Dick Arnett WB4SUV punch in at one of the two-meter transmitters (but not at the same instant) on model event day.  (WB4SUV)

Getting ready for the blind competition, which took place in Opatija on the same day as the Model Event.  Dennis Schwendtner WB6OBB is being led in at left.  (WB6RDV)

Some of the blind competitors lined up for a photo.  Dennis Schwendtner WB6OBB is wearing bib #4.  (KE6HTS)

Dennis awaits the start of the blind competition.  Standing in the center of the photo is Jay Hennigan WB6RDV.  (KE6HTS)

A blind competitor approaches one of the transmitters.  Note the circle around it.  When he steps into the circle, he has "found" the fox.  (WB6RDV)

This is Emil Punos of Croatia, who won the "Veterans" category in the blind championships by finding all five transmitters in two minutes and 18 seconds.  Dennis Schwendtner WB6OBB of USA finished fourth in that category, finding all five in just under five minutes.  (KE6HTS)