Alphen aan den Rijn
Sunday Januari 27 2008
What pleased me most this week was the fact that good old friend Gerrit Kurstjens won the open class nationals in Temora in Australia. I KNOW he is an excellent pilot, cause I was his “boss” [TC] in many European and World comps, but he gave up competition flying a few years ago and….still seems to have not lost his “touch”. Great effort and congratulations to Gerrit!
It was a strong class too , with good friend , Paul Mander as runner up. I met him already in 1984 in Rieti during the pre-worlds , when he unfortunately broke his glider, but also Paul is a very good pilot. They are over 60 years old now, but still gowing strong.
Look for all results [ in 4 classes!] at the site, if you are interested. Congratulations to all winners!
www.soaringspot.com/ausmulti2008/
They flew 7 out of 10 days and though they had 3 days of rain, this gliding-season has been really good for Australia, which also pleases me a lot. So I am a happy person. And I think …all pilots who visited Oz for their overseas-soaring have been happy as well and will leave with nice long flights in their log-book and great memories of a good time.
While I am writing this , downstairs the TV is on with the match between Djocovic and Tsonga. As I really like tennis too, this gives me also great pleasure! To see 2 unexpected players in the Australian Grand Slam final is good for tennis, though of course Federer still is an “ace”.
We had a glimp of spring this week. Blue skies and nice high clouds, though a bit broken. Still around 10 dgr. here, but one day I really had to look at the skies and thought ” yes spring is coming ” , gliding will be back soon in Europe. Nitra and and the UK had already some over 100 km. flights , so the beginning is there.
Not so warm in Canada. Art send me the temperature last sunday , which was -36 and with the wind chill factor -46. What a difference. Am I glad I am here in Holland!!!
Lunch with a artist today and a few minutes to look at the tennis. That’s my day, busy enough, so see you next week.
Ritz