In First Place is Reddude with his Steel Inverting Coaster: 92.5%
There is some much little things that make this entry a worthy winner. Most note-worthy in my eyes, but also the smallest is the support work. Yes the CTR Supports look flawless, but what I
really find exciting is the
inventive supports. Some supports are scenery pieces such as columns that are used for supports. I friccing love themed supports. I really dislike it when with regarding supports you're meant to ignore them because they are doing a practical function. I like supports which are integrated into the actual design and theming of the coaster; Nemesis' rusted effects on the supports which are meant to be Steel that is pinning down the Creature. The themed supports helps the coaster fit better amongst the themeing. It's very weird seeing a steel structure wrap itself around Arabian architecture. But, the themed supports, and carefully considered colour scheme of the non-themed supports and track helps the integration.
The scenery is well done. But I am not marking how pretty the scenery is. I was marking how the scenery is used. The scenery successfully helps the layout look good, exciting, enjoyable and other happy words despite the height limit. Without the scenery the coaster could risk looking very slow and sluggish. The scenery gives the illusion of speed. Mainly because you're more conscious at if you might bash your head on some rock rather than what speed you're going at;-
a good thing
Now onto the actual layout. I love the first drop. I adore misdirection on coaster layouts which are often achieved with steeped twisted track. The first drop you are confused at where the track is. All you see is a stone floor ahead. You think you may die. Or you hope the track gets much steeper. But SURPRISE, it twists sharply to the left and catches you off guard. The only way this could be perfected careful positioning of the track later on so when the train is going down the drop, you think you're going straight down onto the track ahead. But instead you swerve to the side. There is a nice section which is a series of heartline twists, corkscrews and banked turns that maintain the same direction of rotation along the axis of the track. This section works well by itself. But also implies the idea of a sandstorm based off the theming.
I also get exciting watching the trains go along the track from a-far.
A very strong entry and a worthy winner. You didn't have to go to all this effort but I think it was worth it.
Congratulations