Classic from the air

See the Day 1 takeoff from a different perspective.

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We had the opportunity today to shot the takeoff from a helicopter. That pilot and owner Greg Shore in his Robinson 44.
We had the opportunity today to shot the takeoff from a helicopter. That pilot and owner Greg Shore in his Robinson 44.
Despite the 10 degree temps, Greg Shore didn’t hesitate to take us up.
Despite the 10 degree temps, Greg Shore didn’t hesitate to take us up.
By 8:00 the anglers and crowd were arriving.
By 8:00 the anglers and crowd were arriving.
That’s John Crews preparing to put his boat in the water.
That’s John Crews preparing to put his boat in the water.
Seeing the competitors from the air gives a whole new perspective to Classic Day 1.
Seeing the competitors from the air gives a whole new perspective to Classic Day 1.
Green Pond Landing in Anderson, SC was buzzing with activity.
Green Pond Landing in Anderson, SC was buzzing with activity.
Even from way up in the air we could feel the energy at Green Pond Landing.
Even from way up in the air we could feel the energy at Green Pond Landing.
One might say the party is about to get started!
One might say the party is about to get started!
Greg Shore is a brave pilot and didn’t mind giving us a closer look at the dock.
Greg Shore is a brave pilot and didn’t mind giving us a closer look at the dock.
The perspective you get from the air is completely different than the view you get from shore.
The perspective you get from the air is completely different than the view you get from shore.
The motors are idling and getting ready to work hard.
The motors are idling and getting ready to work hard.
It’s cool to see the clear the waters of Lake Hartwell.
It’s cool to see the clear the waters of Lake Hartwell.
The white tent at the top of the hill is serving hot biscuits and coffee. Bassmaster.com head man Jim Sexton told us they were mighty tasty.
The white tent at the top of the hill is serving hot biscuits and coffee. Bassmaster.com head man Jim Sexton told us they were mighty tasty.
This might be a record for the percentage of Toyota Tundra’s in one parking lot.
This might be a record for the percentage of Toyota Tundra’s in one parking lot.
The boat in the foreground was frozen to the trailer. Tournament officials spent 10 minutes trying to break it free.
The boat in the foreground was frozen to the trailer. Tournament officials spent 10 minutes trying to break it free.
Anglers waited anxiously to get started.
Anglers waited anxiously to get started.
Despite the cold the dock was full of anglers fired up to get fishing.
Despite the cold the dock was full of anglers fired up to get fishing.
There’s more media than anglers in the photo.
There’s more media than anglers in the photo.
This is the first big event at Green Pond Landing. Nothing like starting things off with the Classic!
This is the first big event at Green Pond Landing. Nothing like starting things off with the Classic!
Anderson County did a fantastic job keeping the dock clear of ice.
Anderson County did a fantastic job keeping the dock clear of ice.
The anglers jockeyed to keep their boats from bumping too hard.
The anglers jockeyed to keep their boats from bumping too hard.
Out at the end of the dock there’s room for one more boat.
Out at the end of the dock there’s room for one more boat.
We’re getting closer to having all the boats in the water.
We’re getting closer to having all the boats in the water.
It’s fair to say the Marshals might have more trouble staying warm than the anglers. At least the anglers are moving around generating heat.
It’s fair to say the Marshals might have more trouble staying warm than the anglers. At least the anglers are moving around generating heat.
From this angle you might think there’s a party cove about to begin.
From this angle you might think there’s a party cove about to begin.
One positive today: very little wind at take off.
One positive today: very little wind at take off.
A lot of thought went into crowd control at the launch. It paid off today with a smooth beginning to Day 1.
A lot of thought went into crowd control at the launch. It paid off today with a smooth beginning to Day 1.
The big Mercury Verado 350 powers this saltwater boat, giving it inhabitants a great view of the launch.
The big Mercury Verado 350 powers this saltwater boat, giving it inhabitants a great view of the launch.
Once all the anglers finally got their boats in the water, the dock got a little busy.
Once all the anglers finally got their boats in the water, the dock got a little busy.
The cold may have slowed the take off just a little, but the mood of the anglers could be described as “fired up.”
The cold may have slowed the take off just a little, but the mood of the anglers could be described as “fired up.”
These are fan boats, ready to follow the world’s best anglers.
These are fan boats, ready to follow the world’s best anglers.
That looks like Greg Hackney blasting off into the day.
That looks like Greg Hackney blasting off into the day.
These guys are not afraid to travel at a high rate of speed. I can tell you from experience that wind chill goes down severely at 70 miles per hour.
These guys are not afraid to travel at a high rate of speed. I can tell you from experience that wind chill goes down severely at 70 miles per hour.
It looks like Greg Hackney’s Marshal is wearing a Save Phace. Smart move brother!
It looks like Greg Hackney’s Marshal is wearing a Save Phace. Smart move brother!
One of my favorite shots is seeing a bass boat gaining a little air.
One of my favorite shots is seeing a bass boat gaining a little air.
Greg Hackney might be getting a little worried that the helicopter is gaining on him.
Greg Hackney might be getting a little worried that the helicopter is gaining on him.
It’s a small helicopter, could it land on the boat deck?
It’s a small helicopter, could it land on the boat deck?
Greg Hackney put the pedal to the metal and loses us.
Greg Hackney put the pedal to the metal and loses us.
We think that’s Clifford Pirch heading straight for us.
We think that’s Clifford Pirch heading straight for us.
The water was smooth enough that anglers could pour on the horsepower.
The water was smooth enough that anglers could pour on the horsepower.
David Walker, saved a man’s life earlier this week, fishing him out of the water after his boat sank.
David Walker, saved a man’s life earlier this week, fishing him out of the water after his boat sank.
Three anglers head down toward the lower end of Lake Hartwell.
Three anglers head down toward the lower end of Lake Hartwell.
Skeet Reese with his distinctive yellow wrap is easy to spot.
Skeet Reese with his distinctive yellow wrap is easy to spot.
Brian Snowden gains a little air on his way to his first stop.
Brian Snowden gains a little air on his way to his first stop.
Within minutes of launch the anglers had dispersed to all corners of Lake Hartwell.
Within minutes of launch the anglers had dispersed to all corners of Lake Hartwell.
Four anglers heading toward the dam.
Four anglers heading toward the dam.
James Niggemeyer sets up on his first fishing spot.
James Niggemeyer sets up on his first fishing spot.
Do you think fish can hear the helicopter?
Do you think fish can hear the helicopter?
One spectator is set up on this bridge to watch the Classic competitors.
One spectator is set up on this bridge to watch the Classic competitors.
David Walker moves on to his second fishing spot.
David Walker moves on to his second fishing spot.