Alphen aan den Rijn
Mai 28 2007

The Dutch and Polish Nationals have finished and it is great to see that “our” under- 25- junior Bart Berendsen was winner in the club class in his ASW 19 w.He will fly the world comps in Italy in Rieti and this “WIN” must a great boost to him. They had 6 days, number 7 never happened.

Other interesting winner was Sjaak Selen in the combination class. He flew in an LS 8. He is the younger brother from the two-times-world-champion Baer Selen, who won in Chateuraux and in Uvalde in 91. I had the honnour of being the team manager that year.
Runner up was Dick Teuling. Interesting news about him is that he was my “teacher-in-gliding ” , and dared to let me go solo during a camp from the ZES [Student aeroclub from Eindhoven!] in 1967.All those years he flew in the Dutch TOP. Great guy, great pilot!

In open class a Dutch National -team -pilot Hadriaan van Nes [ DG 800s ]won with as runner up another team-pilot, Roland Termaat.

The Polish Nationals had winners I did not know, though Centka and Jarysz,as well as Wujczak were participating!

The German Nationals are still going strong till Thursday.

In June lots of other Nationals will be flown in different classes;P.E.
Finland, England, Norway, Russia,Austria and the German clubclass comps. Will try to keep you informed!
In Norway they even flew a 1000 km . a few days ago. Great effort!

Rain here, cheers Ritz

Alphen aan den Rijn
26-05-2007

With National championships in Poland, Germany and Holland [= in Germany] it is pretty busy with gliding, though weather circumstances are not always the best. Lots of thunderstorms today and foggy circumstances in Germany cancelled the day for both the Dutch and German Nationals. Last day tomorrow for the Dutch comps and with 7 flying days not TOO bad, but no really nice long flights.Still interesting winners if tomorrow will be cancelled too, which is not impossible. Of course everybody hopes for a last good day!
Look for the Dutch info and results at www.nk.zweefportaal.nl/2007/
Look for the German info and results at
http://dm2007.acz.de

The German Nationals started for their 4th day , but as said the day was cancelled due to the expectation of thunderstorms.
Their last day will be on Mai 31, so a few more days and chances.

Poland , has had as far as I saw on TV very heavy rain with a little town even “locked off from the world.” But they also had great flights,but no long flights , 365 km was the best one!, but still 8 days of flying.Look for info at http://smpo2007.gliding-leszno.pl

Norway has better weather and former competition director of the World comps in Sweden and friend, Robert Danewid, flew a 500 km. from Elverum Starmoen.[NO]
But….what beats all is a flight yesterday in a Kestrel 17 with 2.715,89 km. Amazing!!!!The flight was made in the USA, Warner Springs and flown by Bill Richardson.No comment by the pilot, not by the OLC not by me! Look for yourself!

That’s it for now!Thanks Brutus, for your info!Ritz

Alphen aan den Rijn
May 22 2007

With the Dutch Nationals flown in Stendhal close to Berlin, a lot of Dutch pilots left for Germany. Not that the weather is so much better there.On their first flying day they flew around 300 km while a Nimbus 4 DM from our National Gliding Center Terlet a distance flew ,from 653 km. But today , for sure they are better of there , as it is FOGGY here.

After 2 days it is very interesting to see that our young and upcoming pilots are doing well! When I started gliding in 1967 I met Willem, a member of the ZES , the Dutch student aero club from the University of Eindhoven. He is still flying, even flies the nationals, but….his son Maurits is flying too and WON a day! Good on him!

Another young guy is Tim, who also won a day. His dad flies very good , already for years and is in and out of the Dutch National team. His mum flies and is coach from the junior team and was /is Team captain for the Dutch team .His sister Maaike is a good pilot and will be the team manager for the Dutch team during the world junior comps in Italy starting in July. Young Tim got the “gliding-spoon” in his mouth and he loves it!And….it turns out ….he is good too! I remember him as a little baby in the pram, “hanging” around on our national gliding center where mum and or dad were flying.
It means I am getting old!

Dieter Bottcher is/was in Hahnweide and helps the organizers with the comps over there. Dieter Dundee, arrives here in Alphen today for a short stay and to help with a few things in my new house.Friend Daan is still in the USA and Harry had a HUGE operation on his back and hopes to be fit for gliding in the new season.

Had some problems with my computer but will keep in touch Cheers Ritz

Alphen aan den Rijn
14-05-2007

The weather was not good for gliding in Holland but ….extremely good in Austria and Switserland. Young Stefan Leutenegger , who will participate in the world junior comps in Rieti in July, flew in na discus ,a distance of 1164 km according to the the OLC with a speed over 96 km/ph.Great flight! What will he “do” in Rieti this summer? I know he is an excellent and very dedicated young pilot.Surely we can expect a lot of him and his mates from Switserland.

In Austria 2 more 100km-plus flights were flown this weekend and in Germany some long flights , just under 1000.Even up North , the weather is improving and friend Kari flew a 500 km. plus from Rayskala!A few days earlier Antti flew from the same place 853 km.Good old Hannu flew 369 in his PIK.
Another friend Daan is in the States at Ridge Soaring and made a nice 586 km flight.Evelyn flies in the Rockie Mountains so is Ernst, all good mates!All having fun!

No we did not have this great weather here. After 1 month of very nice weather we suffer from wind, rain and cold temperatures as 14 dgr.
Good weather to visit an artfair! Yes I spend last week on the Art Amsterdam. Due to the weather we had 2500 people more then last year, making it 18.000 visitors. There is still money between “us” as they spend for 5 million, 16 % more then last year.We had our share!
I have soar knees from the concrete floor, a soar back from carrying around “huge” paintings and I feel so tired that I can’t think anymore.
Good thing is that it is over tomorrow and with the knowledge that we had a very good fair we can be proud and drink champagne tonight with fresh aspergus, something we do every year.

Got the news from Eddie Madden from Tocumwal that they will collect their new Sportstar this week, flying it from Brisbane to Toc. I know Eddie and Dom LOVE such a flight!!!!So next season they will have 2 tugs again in Tocumwal.

Have to rush again to finish of paperwork from the fair and to go for drinks. See you next time. Will have a bit more time now! Cheers Ritz