July 28 2006 Latest News by Ritz
France;
The last day of competition flying was cancelled at 12.00 to day, by the competition director, due to thunderstorms over the field. Result is that the World champions in Club class and World class {PW5} are known now.
Winner in Club class is Sebastian Kawa from Polen with 9129 points flying his Jantar 3 B.Congratualations to him. Well done Sebastian!!
Good runner up is French pilot Benjamin Neglais flying his St.Cirrus cs11-75, with 8733 points and 3d is Petr Krejcirik, from Czech- Rep. with his St cirrus gaining 8720 points.
UK pilot Jay Rebeck had still chances to day to get higher up in the ranks, but weather did stop him. Off course he could have lost too, by outlanding, but a lot would have been possible on this last day, though the winner only had to fly and not outland as he was well ahead! Jay ends as 4th with 8611 and yesterdays day winner , Uli Schwenk from Germany finished these comps with a nice 5th place. Good on you, Uli!
Though I was not there, but analizing from what I had read I was most impressed with the flying from Jaroslav Tomana, who finished 9th.
In the World Class the last flying day yesterday “disturbed” the top 3 places from the 3 French musquetiers, as Milos Dedera from Czech Rep, settled down on 3d place over all. Winner and World champion is Christophe Ruch from France, who flew in his PW 5 9319 points together. French pilot Didier Hauss who I know from the 1987 World comps in Benalla was the good 2d pilot and as said Milos moved in on 3d just before Laurent Couture.
I have not heard a lot about the comps in Vinon and though the stories were a bit better in the end it was difficult to get a good impression of these World Comps.Now I saw , how important a good story writer is for top comps, as whoever writes the stories, is the PR for our great sport gliding, and sadly enough it STILL does n’t get enough PR.Perhaps the IGC should spend some money and employ an editor for all their big events, so they are sure they get the best advertisement.
Europe ;
Still great weather with absolute fantastic flights all over Europe. I was most impressed with flights from pilots flying in an LS1-c for over 668 km and a mosquito with 644 km.Most probably Germany and Spain have more 1000 km flights then ever before in one season.
USA;
Also the weather in the USA is still good with 1000 km flights. Hobbs, Ely and Parowan show long distance flights.
Australia;
The shock and horror of the closure of Sportavia slowly sinks in, and lots of pilots and friends write each other for comfort. There are people furious as they think it was not necessary, but also sad, very sad, a great gliding place which earned its place in the world, has been closed.
If you wish you can send your reactions on this site as there is somewhere a place for comments. Please use it when you feel the need!
Belgium;
As there are only about 30 participants in the BENELUX competition on Keiheuvel airport , I do not have to write there. Rudy called it off yesterday. But I will go and have a look tomorrow and inform you anyhow about their first competition day.
That’s it for now. VERY HUMID here in the Southern part from Holland.Ritz