Post 1.448 on Wednesday September27 2023.

5th Edition of the Experimental E5 GLIDE
Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, France
17 September 2023 – 23 September 2023

Matthew on day 1;
“A very difficult first day at E5Glide.
Recapping for those playing along at home, EGlide is a competition held at the end or after the soaring season, where you are allowed to use a small amount of electric power (enough to climb ~600m) in order to finish tasks in conditions that are often otherwise unsoarable.
Today was only 160km but with not enough wind for the ridges to really work and not enough sun for the thermals to pop. I managed to marginally ridge soar the second leg on a ~200m tall ‘ridge’, actually the edge of a small plateau which gave me a bit of a jump on most, but Tilo pulled not one but two brilliant climbs out of the murk to get a large lead on us all.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding Worse conditions tomorrow and indeed
Day 2 was cancelled.
And here is Matthew again on;“Day 2(3?) of EGlide was likely the best conditions of the event, but we had a challenging first 100km in the flats to the south taking 0.5m/s climbs to 900m AGL. Finally we staggered past Puimoisson and into the mountains where it improved but was broken with light winds and still damp surfaces.
There was a massive 3m/s climb on the Blayeul mountain to a lone cloud with a base 500m above the surrounding area, which I used on the leg going north, then south, then west, each time timing my arrival to just above the peaks. This turned out to be the key to the day, and those who went direct had much weaker climbs. We all had trouble on the final leg but I had just enough reserve to scrape in for a solid 1st.”
Matthew Scutter’s Gliding also for more news on this comps.
Task 4 was cancelled but “Despite capricious weather and the cancellation of the 4 event,2 FES still flew that afternoon!”

Till now it was 1 day flying 1 day “free”, so on September 21
Task 5 was set on comps day 3…..123.54 km....
Slovenian team Lukas Znidarsic and Nina Lokovšek in the good old Duo Discus XL FES, won the day with Tilo as runner up and Matthew on spot 3. All started at 4PM.
“The top 3 pilots are only 21 seconds apart! After 3 races and hundreds of kilometers under tricky weather conditions! EGlide competitions are really the best to conclude the season with fun, fast and entertaining races even with marginal weather.
A very exciting rice. Perfect Task for FES.
It was a FEStival!”CNVV Saint-Auban
And Matthew said about the day:
“No thermals today, only wave pre-start and then a bit of engine to connect to the ridges – except the ridges were not really working and everything got a bit squeaky! Some very very low ridge-declining and a bit of rotor got me home with only a few penalties.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

Task 6 comps day 4 with 247.19 km . …and the by far youngest pilot, 19 years old, won the day. He made the best strategic choices at start, remained up front and won the day. Congratulations to TheNapoleon [that name for sure sounds familiar] o flying an 18m. Discus 2C FES…..Good on him.
Theo started at age 13 and has already 3000 hours!!!This is his first experience with E gliders and he really likes it.
They started at 2.40 PM and Theo was 10 km./h faster than Matthew in his 15m LS 8 e.
Matthew;”Yesterday was a strong thermal day and we had our longest task of the event. I was able to capitalize on an efficient first leg and get a jump on Tilo and Luka who struggled a bit behind me. Theo exploited a moment’s indecision to get five minutes ahead of me part way around which I wasn’t able to reel back, but still leaves me going into the last day 11 minutes ahead of Tilo and Luka.
Moderate ridge task today, 220km. A very challenging long leg into the wind is going to cause problems. Hoping to keep my energy for this bit.”

Task 7 on flying day 5 with 219.20 km…..VERY last day and very last possibilities to win this 5th edition! Matthew leads with 11.07 on Luka and 11.42 min. on Tilo. The “rest” is a bit far back.
Well,…Tilo won and Matthew and Theo were close, whilst Luka was 4th.
“On the last day itself Luka and Tilo flew completely different tracks making them impossible to cover, so I was forced to pick my own route and miraculously the three of us ended up on final glide together anyway, just seconds apart.” Matthew….and more about the comps on Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
So the final scores remain the same;
1. Matthew Scutter in LS 8e 15m [handicap 109] 0
2. Tilo Holighaus in Discus 2c FES 18m [handicap 114] -11.17
3.  Luka Žnidaršič in Duo Discus XL FES [handicap113] -12.74

Matthew really is a multi talent!!!!!! When he was very young I got to know him and friends said “keep an eye on him”, which I did. He is multi talented with soaring, has his own business SKYSIGHT where he is the CEO, so knows all about weather and was invited to help out with the last flights in Argentina with the Perlan Project. He travels the world with his Diana 2 and flies lot’s of comps.
In France at the WGC the Diana was on spot 1-2 and 3.

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——-Glider Forever reflected on the beginning of the season Down Under:
“Season is on in Australia and what a start it is. Recently David Jansen & Kevin White head of for a flight in the ASG 32 Mi and landed back to Kingaroy with 4 national records in their hands, awesome performance”
850km @ 120km/h …….this was on September 12.
AND
“Ray Stewart commented under his 700k flight one day before: “Hopefully this is the start of what promises to be a great season.” Fingers crossed our Australian friends, we wish every Pilot a great start into the season 23/24“.

On September 21 an OUT and RETURN was on the menu and David flew another record; 500km out and return at 145kph, with Kevin.
Great start of the Down Under season.
My friend Gerrit flew in his new EB 29 a distance of 613.29 km.last Saturday from McCaffery Airfield .
Lumpy Paterson from Tocumwal was in Kingaroy and flew TODAY, 665 km in his JS 3.

Europe has still good autumn flights as well Austria had also on September 21 an 827 km flight from Wiener Neustadt in an 18m Ventus 2CM….wave and ridge.
Also in the Netherlands…..Look at Terlet on Sunday September 24,” after-summer” conditions in the end of the season. 200km CC was still possible ,whilst last Sunday in Germany over 500k-CC was flown.
on the other hand several final-of-the -season-BBQ’s and parties are on at the moment.

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Jonker Sailplanes had some very interesting news;
“First up, check out the feature in Engineering News that highlights our groundbreaking projects – the @jonker_sailplanes JS5 glider and the near-vibrationless engine.”
https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/…/two-aerospace…
AND
the @csirsouthafrica article, delving deeper into our journey of innovation and the support we provide to young talent in the aerospace sector.
https://www.csir.co.za/development-youth-ontrack-technologies-aisi-supported-projects

As said after summer in The Netherlands. Up to 25 dgr. C Weird weather.

——Last but not least a very inspiring story written by Matthias Arnold for WeGlide about Eva Senne, daughter from WWGC champion Katrin Senne; A succesful newcomer.
Eva has 800 hours and 40 were flown in 2023 and between Eva’s first 500km and her first 1000km flight, there is not even a year.!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!

https://magazine.weglide.org/eva-senne-successful…/
https://magazine.weglide.org/eva-senne-successful-newcomer-in-gliding/

That’s all for now. Comps on this side of the world are more or less over. Africa, NZ and Australia start soon.
The OLC has changed to 2024 [next week more about the stats] and the first ’24- flights worldwide were on September 26 from Australia; 300k in an ASH 31/21m from Benalla and 20 in an ASK 21 MI from Mount Beauty.
By the way, the Dutch Nationals will be flown between Mai 9 and 18 in 2024.

Cheers Ritz

Post 1.447 on Wednesday EVENING September 20 2023

After spending 25 summers in Tocumwal, [ since 1984] avoiding the Dutch cold and living for just over 10 years over there, you must forgive me that I am still enthusiastic and fond of that little town on the Murray River, in Australia. Less than 3000 inhabitants and on the border of NSW and Victoria, but IN NSW. When we visited first there were only 1250 people living in town.
We started as guests with the Riley family as owners…Bill Riley [R.I.P.] was the founder of the SSC…then still as guests we got to know Don Escott, [R.I.P.]Jeff Close [R.I.P.]
We took over from Don when he retired and worked together with Jeff BUT, when Jeff unexpectedly died after a mid air collision, we were “all alone”.
After being for 10 seasons guests, running the Sportavia Soaring Center with a good team for another 10 years, was TOUGH but a great “life style” and I can only think back of it with huge pleasure. Our guests were the most interesting people from many different countries , …I still have contact with a lot of them….our staff was good and always helpful to all of them. The chef’s in the kitchen sometimes were a problem, but we really had good ones among them, creating food one day for 150 people sitting everywhere at the premises, as the dining- and breakfast room was too small. Glenda was the “engine” behind all of them.
OF COURSE Ingo Renner was “gold” for Sportavia already from the beginning with Bill. The nicest instructor and person in the world. As well , to be honest, as the best” marketing tool”.
Peter During “Brutus” for his friends helped us out in the office for several years and he was gold as well, absolutely reliable.
Our tuggies and instructors were TOPPERS.
As in every business there were up’s and downs but more up’s than downs for me.

Lumpy Patterson, since a few years the new owner of “our” SPORTAVIA hangar, [it’s now called Sportavia Tocumwal and they are doing well] has the time of his life in Tocumwal too. Certainly now with the airshow.
I know the “buzzing” feeling of an Airshow at the field and it gives energy, a feeling of being very proud and very involved.
On Thursday he was already busy to get planes to Toc;
“Great day in the office, getting planes to Tocumwal for the big air show on the weekend !
Awesome weather for the trip to Maitland and return
Cruising along with the team from Paul Bennett Airshows“

Australia will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
At the 2023 Tocumwal Airshow, we will commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who served in Vietnam with flying displays by three aircraft that served during that conflict.
The Royal Australian Air Force Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
The Temora Aviation Museum Cessna O-2 Skymaster
The Tocumwal Aviation Museum Cessna O-1 Birddog
See these historic aircraft display at the 2023 Tocumwal Airshow

A common sight in the country is aerial application using the iconic yellow Air Tractor.
Aerial application is the broad term for a range of aviation activities that include the application of material from aircraft, including spraying of pesticides, application of liquid and granular fertiliser and trace elements, sowing seed such as rice and firebombing of bushfires.
With great thanks to Tocumwal local Mick East, Field Air will be bringing an AT-402 Air Tractor to the 2023 Tocumwal Airshow and demonstrate the capabilities of the aircraft as well as the exceptional skills required to operate these aircraft at low level.

I have seen MANY of them during the 10 years I lived at Toc airport. Also during comps in Narromine we saw them often.
2 Of our former tuggies Glenn and Charlie, are now flying these big machines. One of the most well- known Ag pilots in our time/region was Gary Macstead. Still going strong , most probably not anymore as Ag pilot, as he should be around 80 years old now.

The weather was TOP;Blue skies, light winds and 26 degrees, what do you want more for an Airshow.

Of course a glider had to be part of the show as well at the Tocumwal airfield with a few glider clubs/business as most important venues. Lumpy himself flew in his JS3.

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This was not the only great airshow as Romain Fhal mentioned, there was also one in Europe;
“I’m very happy to fly at Skopje Airshow celebrating 100 years of Aero Club Skopje, one of the oldest air clubs in southeastern Europe. The occasion is even more special since this is the first big airshow in Macedonia after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia in 1991.”
This was on September 16. Too late to go too but interesting info.

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—–The Brasilian weather was good last Wednesday for pilots flying records and long distances from the well known airfield Luis Ed Magalhaes.
Claudio Eduardo Schmidt flew with French guest Baptiste [Innocent] in the ARCUS M a distance from 900 km.
Henrique [Navarro] flew a new out and return record over 500 km;
“Brazilian 500km out & return speed record @140kph. Ventus 3TS/15m. “
Just a few days earlier Henrique flew another record;
“Brazilian speed record, 300km FAI triangle @143KPH. Flying the Ventus 3TS with 15 meters tips is just like flying a rocket.”
On September 14 more news from Henrique;
“I just beat the Brazilian speed record in a 750km FAI triangle at 152 hph, in both 15 meters and open class. The Ventus 3 TS with 15 meters tip flies like it has knives instead of wings.”

—–I have shared many pictures from above ,looking over the Tocumwal area, now I share one looking over the Kingaroy area more in the East of Australia.

—–AND,…the season is ON Down Under both in the West and East, also in the South.

—–In the Netherlands the National women day 2023 for pilots was in Soesterberg and 100 flying ladies attended. Many young ones. GOOD!!! I was supposed to say a few words over there, but travelling is getting more difficult nowadays.

That’s it! You are up to date. Not a lot of comps at the moment but the E5 GLIDE started in St Auban.
They fly between 17 September 2023 – 23 September 2023.
More next week. Tilo [Discus 2c FES 18m] won day 1 and Aussie Matthew [ LS8E/ 15m] flies as well. Task 2 [132 km] was cancelled and task 3 on Sept 19 was promising with 265.55 km. Matthew won!!
By the way, last Sunday was a perfect long -distance-wave-day in France for an out and return over Spain France and nearly Andorra. Carl Audissou, flew from St Girons 1.621.14 km in an ANTARES over many kilometers in the Pyrenees.

Cheers Ritz, just back from 2 days in Amsterdam. Very enjoyable!!!!

Post 1.446 on Wednesday September 13 2023.

ABOYNE in the UK
UK MOUNTAIN FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP.
3 September 2023 – 9 September 2023

This is a very popular competition in the UK and already the 26th edition with a “record number of entrants”; 22. Since a few years, I follow them. Interesting!
And I am not the only one, looking at the “likes”.
“The Waiting List for 2024 is now open, as this year’s participants have priority for next next.“
https://www.deesideglidingclub.co.uk/uk-mountain-soaring-championship/

We continue with day 4, task 2 AND a 4 hour AAT; and in his LS6b Jordan Richards flew 344 km with a speed of 85.26 km./h. His 2d win! Good on him. Both days had a 4 hour AAT on the first day Jordan flew 451 km with a speed of 110.96 km./h.
Day 5 task 3; 3.30 AAT….After the fantastic flight the day before, task 3 was in the same direction;” flying out over the Great Glen to reach the west coast and Ben Nevis“.
I had to go to Wikipedia to know more about the Great Glen.
“The Great Glen is a long and straight glen in Scotland. The glen is about 100 kilometers long on land and runs from Fort William on the Scottish west coast to Inverness in the east. The Great Glen follows a major geological fault known as the Great Glen Fault.”

This picture from the task is from my mobile. you can see it it more clear on www.soaringspot.com clicking on task.

BUT ….in the end, the CC task was cancelled ,a pity,……but the ” height-gain” was “on”.
On day 7 they had a CC task 3 a B task from 2.30 AAT , won again by Jordan. Of course height-gain was possible too.Not too difficult to figure out he won this years edition of the UK-wave comps.
1. Jordan Richards in LS 6 b with 2.452 points.
2. John Tanner in Duo Discus with 1.981 p.
3. Robert Tait in Silence 2 Electro with 1.976 p
4. John Williams in LS 8 /18m with 1.958 p.

All in all they had good weather ; 6 out of 7 days were soarable. 3 Of them for good long tasks and 5 for height gaining.
The Deeside Gliding Club mentioned;
“Congratulations to Jordan Richards for winning the UK Mountain Soaring Championships in a dominating style, and collecting the trophy for greatest gain of height over the week (in excess of 50,000ft gained without an engine!).
The visitor season is off to a good start.”
CONGRATULATIONS to Jordan.

“Gliding at Aboyne only exists because of our volunteer tug pilots. It’s also a great way for aspiring airline pilots to build hours.“
I know all about that and can only TOTALLY agree.

—–Last week I showed you many containers ready for Narromine . Cleaning such a container is MOST important. Even the grass from the elastic bands [Velcro] on the covers had to be removed!!The Dutch worked hard, with as many family members as possible, at the airport of Midden Zeeland, were the container was.

There were changes in the Dutch team, some on the list are not going ,some are ,…Erik is “new” too.
Club: Thies Bruins and Roelof Corporaal
Standard; Sjaak Selen.
15m; Erik Borgmann en Jeroen Verkuijl
All very experienced pilots certainly in standard and 15 m. Club is with YOUNG Dutch toppers on it’s way to be very experienced, though Thies flew already a WGC.[France]

—–Jonker Sailplanes shared this picture and news;
“Two BEAUTIES in the sky.
What an extraordinary late summer weekend in the Schweizer Jura! Saturday and Sunday the Jura provided excellent gliding conditions for glider pilots and hundreds of paragliders. Endless energy lines, strong climbs, a high cloudbase and friendly controllers giving green lights to pass through prohibited airspaces made flights between 800 and 900km possible. Here Yves Gerster JS3 RES and Uys Jonker JS3 JET racing up and down the Jura. What fun.”
Read more on WeGlide:
https://www.weglide.org/flight?scoring_date=2023-09-10

Also Bert Schmelzer jr and Rolf Friedli choose to fly on Sunday in those excellent Swiss conditions;
879 in Ventus 3T and 882 km in AS 33es. Bert flew on Saturday 974 km. as well !!!! Mind you September 9 and 10!!!!! AUTUMN…..
Bert mentioned;
“Best end of the season since I live in Switzerland. Really unbelievable.”

——-IF necessary a plane can be a boat too,…preferably not but…as said when necessary!

——One of my soaring mates shared this news yesterday:
“Incredible flight today. I’ve always dreamed of soaring XC in the SCU 2-22 but it takes a perfect day to be able to do it. The thermals dont have to be really strong but they absolutely have to be close together. Today they were and we’ll marked with cumulus clouds. I wandered my way from Sunflower to Wichita Gliderport and the glider is now in position for next week’s vintage rally.
Oh I saw three Bald Eagles today and I ve never had a bad flight when I see a Bald Eagle.”
He “ raced “with a speed of 31 km./h over 93 km!!!! THAT IS THE REAL SOARING!!!!!
https://www.weglide.org/flight/335436 with more news about the flight.

—–Bitterwasser Lodge & Flying Centre; The last containers, the first went already in August, left on September 9 and are on their way to Namibia.

Not long and there is a lot to write about all those gliders now moving over seas and oceans and later arriving in Africa and Australia, for a new season and the WGC in Narromine.

Cheers Ritz..CU on Wednesday EVENING!!!!!!

Last but not least! NEARLY forgotten…..but important for my Aussie mates…Over 40 aircraft will take to the skies at the 2023 Tocumwal Airshow.

Post 1.445 on Wednesday September 6 2023.

FAI SGP FINAL
Pavullo, Italy
24 August 2023 – 2 September 2023
FAI Sailplane Grand Prix

On Wednesday August 30 a task was set for
Race 1, day 4; 129.34 km…..All 19 pilots were more than eager to fly. The cold front was gone but there was still a possibility for rain.
CD Brian said;
“The challenge today is that we are sandwiched between rain, low cloud and airspace. If the cloud does not overdevelop and the rain stays to the west of Pavullo a short and fast race will be possible.’
Did they fly???? YES THEY DID,..an even smaller task ….119 km. but there were winners and it was a good race with nice cu-conditions, though the climbs were only 1 m./s, the cloud base was pretty low and the window “small”.
Stefan Langer won race 1 after a regatta start at 14.50, with a speed of 114.9 km./h.in his ASG 29/18m.
Runner up was Mike Young with 8 points [Ventus 3T] and Alberto Sironi in the AS 33 was 3d.
In my “box” I found the next SGP- news;”After a very exciting race Stefan Langer from Germany won. He was higher from the first leg on and resisted the pressure of the gaggle behind him. On the last thermal, Mike Young (UK), Alberto Seroni (IT), Sebastian Kawa (POL) and Gorgio Galetto (IT) caught up.”

Race 2 day 5 on August 31; 210.52 km.….The organizers message for today about the weather;
“There is a southerly airflow along the coast of Italy that is feeding moist air onto the Appenines. This is bringing unstable air and good soaring condition, but also rain in the afternoon.“
BUT…they had to go to a B task from 168 km. New faces on the top spots ,though Stefan ,of course, was there 1 day earlier too.
Speed by Sebastian who won the day; 104.02 km./h …Stefan 102.01 km./h and Tilo 101.01 km./h.
Competition Director Brian Spreckley said, ‘We expected it to be difficult, but not this difficult.’
The full story from day 2 on; https://sgpfinal23.sgp.aero/news/r2

The difference between number 4 Erik and number 5 Alberto was SMALL: 100.08 km./h and 100.06 km./h. and in points ONE.

Race 3 on day 6 on September 1 and 1 more to go;310.22 km
The meteorological autumn has started on this part of the world, but looking at the distance it’s a good autumn -day.
“Fine conditions with light winds and thermals to over 2000m.”
Let’s wait what happens today?!
10 points for somebody who really loves SGP soaring; Tilo Holighaus. In a cab to a party somewhere in the middle of nowhere, but close to Uvalde [2012] he told us , brother Ralf was there too, he really loved this type of flying.
He won but JUST; 105.5 km./h and 105.3 km./h for Max [Seis]. ….both flying a VENTUS 3. And “our” Erik did well too; 3 with 105 km./h. A real race between them. The first 10 all flew over 100 km./h.

Race 4 on day 7 and the VERY LAST DAY starting with 18 points for Stefan, 17 for Tilo and 14 for Max.
“For the final day of SGP Final Pavullo the weather is fine again and a 248 km task has been set.“
More stable, dry thermals , they fly over the mountain tops where they expect a convergence line according to CD Brian.
I looked at this last race with very clear comments from Benjamin Neglais and as it is in Italy, Stefano Ghiorzo explained all about the mountains and ridges. So easy to follow it then. Good job from them.
The first time I saw this , was in Rieti a long time ago,when Art Grant with his “deep” voice was the commentator and he was good too, it then was an eyeopener for me, nowadays it’s pretty normal.
With some excitement in the voices we heard and saw “47 km. to go to the last/3d TP on top of a mountain,on this last day for Alberto [Sironi] in MA “. But he was much lower than runner up Thomas [Gostner] in GT, who tried to stay as high as possible , but Alberto reached it first. Ben and Stefano really hoped for lift for Alberto.[1600 m] otherwise the “followers” could catch up. He got it ,but was it enough to stay upfront???
Unfortunately Stefan made a “mistake” , got lift again, is still in the race but might be out of the “top”.[ Indeed this was said!!]
Alberto followed a different track than the others . He flew all by himself more east of the track straight to the last control point….but still missing 100 m to make it!!!! Is there still enough energy to keep the height. Some were not high enough to just glide home. They fly not fast 150 km./h and GT closes in
I am not going to follow this every time, it’s to scary for me, not good for my heart.
“We have a nice finish” said Benjamin ,with a happy voice ,so I felt it bit more at ease.
Above 850 m OVER the finish line is compulsory, so penalties might spoil the last flight from Alberto and maybe from Thomas.
Have to wait for the final results now! Pfffff…..The referee will be busy.
1 Point extra on the last day!!!so 11 points to gain.
9 PM is the dinner and prize giving in down town Pavullo and there will be a WORLD CHAMPION as they call it.

It turned out totally different than expected. Indeed there were penalties and what for penalties ???
Alberto got 274 sec.as penalty ,Thomas 84, so the winner for 11 points was German pilot Hermann Leucker in JS3.
“The last race is over and it was crazy with the 3 main challengers (Tilo Haulighaus, Sebastian Kawa and Max Seis) falling at the back/ flying the wrong task . Stefan Langer could have had an easy win but he missed a critical step on the 3rd leg and the gaggle passed him. Finally, the daily winners arrived very low.”
In the end Stefan , “who might be out of the top”, got ONE point on this last day, meaning there were 2 pilots equal with 19 points ; Stefan and “our” Erik Borgmann.
But then extra rules start and as Stefan won day 1, he got the GOLD and Erik the SILVER.

World champion;
1. Stefan Langer in ASG 29 with 19 points.
2. Erik Borgmann in JS 3 with 19 points.
3. Hermann Leucker in JS3 with 18 points.
4. Tilo Holighaus in Ventus 3 with 17 points.
5. Alberto Sironi in AS33 with 16 points.
6. Sebastian Kawa and 7. Max Seis both in Ventus 3 had 14 points.

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–——The change of season has started;
YES,…it’s that time of the year again. The meteorological autumn started on September 1 and Down under the spring time. The weather is already pretty good there, in fact you can fly through the year in Australia.
Spring has announced itself with fields full of the yellow canola and the bottle brush starts to flower. It looks a bit like a red-gum- flower.

—— Gliders for the Bitterwasser season have been shipped to be in time for their season, more or less between November 1 and January 15.
“Looking forward to the season by Hannah
On August 22, 2023, the first four gliders were loaded into the container in Waghäusel.
The anticipation of the season in Bitterwasser and the togetherness had arisen very quickly, which facilitated the loading in strong heat. In the end, each plane had its place and is now waiting for departure. In the middle of September it is then so far! The Arcen will then make their way to Bitterwasser. The remaining containers will be loaded on 09 September 2023 in order to arrive in time for the start of the flying season.
(Text and pictures Hannah Schweckendiek)

——–The German Team is very busy with the shipment of their gliders to Narromine for the WGC down under, during the first 2 weeks in December.

---

–——Also the Polish team is sending a HUGE container with 6 gliders to Narromine, as you can see on the above picture from Lukasz. They have a different system, they move some kind of iron pallet, with the gliders on it, in the container.

–—the Dutch container is cleaned and packed last weekend. With Francesco from Corowa this was an easy job, as he has shipped many containers . He specially was flown in to pack the container, to have NO problems with arrival. Sometimes when things go wrong, that can be very time consuming.

—-The French team starts also with the cleaning of the container. VERY IMPORTANT, for Australia. Not their first time!!!!!!

—–Closer by the “UK Mountain Soaring Championships started at Aboyne, and they are hopeful of good wave soaring conditions. As always the Deeside Gliding Club is the host!
They started last Sunday and though they did not fly every day till now Cross Country ,they for sure went for height.
Day 1 was straight away a good one with both elements CC and height; a 4 hour AAT and “the club two seaters are already at 14,500 feet and we will be launching the grid very soon.”
Jordan Richards in an LS6 b flew 451.48 km . with a speed of 111 km./h.
Great comment on his flight:”Jordan Richards won the first day of the UKMSC with an excellent 430km flight. On his way home he flew from Forres to Aboyne in 19 minutes, a journey which would take 1hr 43mins by car.
That is an average speed of 249kph / 155mph.
Now we will admit that his glider cannot take 2 kids and a Labrador for a lovely day out in Forres, HOWEVER, there were significantly less caravans in the way on Jordan’s route home...”

21 Pilots some HC and 5 did not finish.
The organizers mentioned; “One of our club member has just started descending from 20,100. A few competitors have flown to the furthest point in the first sector before turn south. “
Day 2 was good for height not so much for CC flying . That part was scrubbed, but for a scrubbed day the height was good;16.000 ft.
Day 2’s results;
Glider Pilot               High Point Low Point    Gain
3M     Dave Latimer   16016        2433        13583
60      Paul & Cook     15046        2054        12992
X6      Jordan Richards 14066      2347        11719
3D      John Tanner     12049       2810          9239
R1      Tony Mountain  10832       2985          7847
J5       Phil Penrose     11155       3458          7697
DD2    King & King     10186        3067          7119
115     Robert Tait      10846        3950          6896
2C      Chris Dawes     0230        3468            6762
Day 3 was cancelled.
you can follow them on www.soaringspot.com , where they have all the news as well.

—-AND, the 2d FAI VIRTUAL Gliding Grand Prix….. “I did it, me and my virtual JS3 are world champions of the virtual sailplane grand prix!” Arne Martin Güettler
Great job Arne Martin, CONGRATULATIONS.
“With an outstanding 37 points over 7 breathtaking races, Arne-Martin displayed incredible skills and unwavering determination throughout the week, steadily gaining power to seize the coveted title today!
Number 3 was from the Netherlands; Wiek Schoenmakers. Great job Wiek!!!!!
“A stunning performance by Wiek Schoenmakers from the Netherlands in the 7th and final race of the 2nd FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix!
Wiek’s stellar performance earns him a whopping 11 points for the day, launching him onto the podium with a well-deserved 3rd place overall finish!”
On the last day he was not yet in the last top- 4 -group.

——AND, the first 1000 km “OUT and RETURN “flight out from Slovenia is a fact. Straight after departure from Italy where Luka Žnidaršič [LZ design] flew the final of the FAI SGP, he flew in a DUO DISCUS FES, a flight from 1.127 km OUT AND RETURN with a speed of 131.82 km./h.!!!! Together with Bernard Dobre they started and flew back to Postojna.
Have a look at weglide.org or the OLC.org

More news next Wednesday. By the way the average normal temperature on Sept 6 is 20 dgr. C we have 32 today!!!!!!
Cheers Ritz