Alphen aan den Rijn      06-12-2008 Birthday of sinterklaas!!!!

Last news about the last day. Will be back tomorrow with more!!!

Here is Jo!

briefing Comp Day 7 – final day – Sat 6 Dec 08

Day 6 double-seater winners were Ross McLean & Mark Rowe with an average speed of 102.3 km/h over the 255.5 km for 3 points; equal first were Peter Summersby & Mal Bruce with an average speed of 98.4 km/h; the bonus point for being first to Mullengudgery gave Mal & Peter a total of 3 points for the day also.

Overall leaders in double-seater class after 6 days are Peter Summersby & Mal Bruce with 14 points, followed by Ross McLean & Mark Rowe with 11 points and Shinzo Takizawa on 9 points.

Day 6 18m leaders were again the ASG 29s – Riccardo Brigliadori with an average speed of 129.0 km/h  for the 255.5 km task + the bonus point for being first to Mullengudgery giving him11 points total for the day. 

David Wilson was second with an average speed of 127.1 km/h for 8 points then Graham Parker with an average speed of 126.1 km/h for 7 points.  4th was Hank Kauffman at an average 125.9 km/h for 6 points.

It’s a very close race for the lead in 18m class.  Graham Parker is on 39 points closely followed by Riccardo Brigliadori on 38 points – Ricky is flying Brett Buchanan’s new glider, straight from the factory.

Michael Sommer was 5th on day 6 in a Ventus 2cxT with an average speed of 120.4 km/h giving him 5 points for the day and placing him third overall at 26 points.

John Buchanan in his new ASW 27 is close behind on 25 points and then Terry Cubley in Danny Kilgariff’s Ventus 2cxM on 24 points.  Mac Ichikawa and Hank Kauffmann, both in ASG 29s, are tied on 22 points.

At day 7 briefing, Henk Meertens stressed safe finishes.  He emphasised that careful scrutiny will be given today to traces into the bonus turnpoint.

Weather – although totally overcast, there is a window of opportunity today; we are crushed between a trough and an approaching front, with a small area of blue sky showing on the satellite photos between the trough and the front.  Winds have gone around to the south.  Cu may go to 9,000′ but will depend on temperatures; Narromine maximum is expected to be 33 degrees.  The first bit of activity may happen around midday.  There will be an increase in high cloud at about 4.30pm and the day will be dead by 5pm.  If we get 33 degrees, then we’ll get the 9,000′.  A quick start and a short task is planned.

Task A:  Gilgandra, Nevertire, Microwave – 236.8 km – a bonus point for first to Gilgandra; first launch 1230 hours, estimated start gate opening 1330 hours.

Task B:  Nevertire, Eumungerie, Microwave – 197.8 km – a bonus point for first to Nevertire. 

2pm – Comp Day 7 – final day – Sat 6 Dec 08

Final day start gate opened at 1400 hours, max start height 4,500 QNH, task A – Gilgandra, Nevertire, Microwave – 236.8 km – a bonus point for first to Gilgandra.

Some blog about the leaders:

Peter Summersby is an airline pilot with Tiger Airways with 350 hours gliding.  Peter began gliding in 1982.  Best moments:  “My first solo on winch at Central Mangrove, shortly followed by winning a day in the national sports class at Leeton in 1985 with my late friend Bob Smith flying a K-13 and averaging over 100 kph.  Next best was my first 300 km flight in my beloved open Libelle, also at the national sport class competition at Leeton in 1986.

“My first job in aviation was in 1989, towing for Southern Cross gliding club followed by several general aviation night freight jobs.   My first airline job was in 1984 flying for Ansett Australia on the Boeing 737-300 and then Qantas and Virgin Blue.  In 2007, I was offered a direct entry command flying an Airbus A320 for Tiger Airways as part of their inaugural operation in Australia.

“Now having over 15,000 hours of commercial flying, I find myself back where I started and feel most comfortable strapped into a beautiful Duo Discus with amazing performance, thermaling over the spectacular countryside of Narromine and central New South Wales, competing against mother nature and yourself to better your times and distances to make it home at the end of the day. Always flying safe and enjoying one of the best sports aviation has to offer.”

Graham Parker is a 54 year old anaesthetist from Adelaide, and the father of 4 girls.  He has around 3,000 hours gliding and has been flying for 30 years – he has always had a love of flying.  Graham has represented Australia at 2 world championships- Mafikeng in 2001 and Lusse in 2008.  He has won Australian national championships in 15m, 18m and club class. 

Graham “loves flying in the New Zealand mountains because of the spectacular scenery and the challenges involved”.

Michael Sommer is current World Gliding Champion in Open Class, having also won the previous world championship in Open class.  Michael has lived and worked in Australia for the past 5 years for automotive industry supplier, Siemens VDO.  Michael has been gliding for 20+ years and was introduced to the sport as a teenager through his family:  “I started gliding when I was 14.   A colleague of my dad was the president of the gliding club. As I was doing RC model flying already, he asked my dad to bring me over as soon as I was old enough.  From my first flight, I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

“I have lived in Melbourne for the last five years and have been able to experience what a great gliding country Australia is. I am really excited about Narromine’s bid for the 2012 15m, 18m and Open WGC.  I am very confident that if Australia is successful with the bid, then the gliding world will not regret travelling to the end of the world! 

“I love gliding and as long as it stays that way, I will continue doing it.”

John (Butch) Buchanan is an aeronautical engineer who began flying in1960 and has around 8,000 hours gliding.  Butch has been winner of Australian national competitions in open class and standard class at Waikerie, Narromine, Benalla, Kingaroy, Horsham and Tocumwal and has many second and third places.  He has represented Australia in world comps at Chateuroux, France; Rieti, Italy; Hobbs, USA (3rd place); Weinner Neustadt, Austria; Uvalde, Texas; Bayreuth, Germany (4th place); Luesse, Germany; Omarama, NZ; and Saint Auban, France.

One of his most memorable flights was “along the Rockies from El Paso to the 9,000′ high airfield (highest in the world) at Teluride.  Dodging fierce thunderstorms and racing along the 12,000′ high mountain peaks into places totally unknown is an exhilarating, adrenalin-rushing experience.  The flight was a distance of 850 km and included deviations to other famous landmarks along the way.  I was in company with other Nimbus 4 gliders and we pushed each other all the way”.

Terry Cubley is a training manager with car manufacturer, GM Holden and is based in Gawler, South Australia.  He began flying in 1968 and has around 5,000 hours gliding.  Terry is twice Australian national champion and has competed in 7 world championships; his highest place was 13th.  He is a gliding instructor and coach and is involved in GFA administration at national, state and club level.  Some best moments in gliding:  “final glide on my 1,000 km flight – 9 hours in the cockpit; contest director at the world comps at Gawler in 2001; ridge running in the French Alps and New Zealand and Italy”.

(blog by Jo Pocklington)

 

 

4.30 pm – Comp Day 7 – final day – Sat 6 Dec 08

First across the line at 1552 hours was David Jansen closely followed by (in no particular order) Graham Parker, Ricky Brigliardori, John Buchanan, Hank Kauffmann, Thomas Gostner, Michael Sommer, Bill Hatfield, Terry Cubley, Bruce Taylor.

Final results will be posted on the website by our very-hard-working scorer, Wayne Hadkins as soon as traces are verified and data checked.

A blog about the pilots:

David Jansen is an airline pilot who began flying in 1972; he has around 3,700 hours gliding. David was 9th at the WGC this year in Lusse Germany, and has flown at Worlds in Uvalde, Borlange, Sweden, Omarama NZ and St Auban France.

Best achievement:  “My first 1,000 km flight, flown out of Narromine in December 1982. It took 9.3 hrs at 112 kph – it was No 10 in Australia and No 42 in the world”.

Hank Kauffmann is a retired yacht designer who lives in Queensland.  He began gliding in 1986 and has around 5,000 hours.  Hank has achieved “numerous seconds and thirds, but has never won an event!”.  Hank’s background is sailing; he has recently designed and built a 42ft wooden sailing yacht.   At 64 years old, Hank is still competing successfully.

Bruce Taylor is part glider pilot, part farmer.  He and his wife Anita “produce superfine wool for the Italian market, and beef for everyone else”.  Anita is the daughter of Lorraine & Hank Kauffmann.

Bruce began gliding in1984 and has approximately 4,700 hours.  “I have flown 6 traditional pre-Worlds and World comps and two Grand Prix World Comps.  I still can’t seem to force my way on to the podium, but I have some years left. This year I flew the Rieti Worlds and finished in 13th place in standard class.

“I love mountains and have been fortunate to spend time flying from some of the best sites in the world; that is Rieti, St Auban and Omarama.  These are my most special moments in gliding, although I still really enjoy any flight from my home airfield here at Kentucky in New South Wales.  I used to play cricket, but kept finding myself staring up at the sky and missing the ball!  I also enjoy riding my motorbike and if I could only find the time I’d love to read a book…..”.

Thanks to Rex Regional Express Airlines for their sponsorship in promoting the event and thanks to all involved in creating a successful and safe event.

We’ve had an average 18,000 hits on our website each day – thank you all for your interest and support.

(blog by Jo Pocklington)