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Alphen aan den Rijn Wednesday June 8 2011 ritzdeluy@hotmail.com
We had some violent weather here last Sunday, with loads of rain causing severe problems, also in Arnhem where we had “our” NGC not long ago.
Looking ahead on the WWGC in Arboga, Sweden. Some people say; ” Why the hell do we need a competition for women only .” WHY NOT ??!!
Talking about the WWGC there will be at this stage, 47 participants flying in 3 classes; club,[ 18] standard [ 16] and 15 m. [13]
I was impressed with Äke Petterssons’s guidance through the landing possibilities in remote areas. Lakes and forest are in this Scandinavian country more then beautiful, but not always easy when you fly a competition. Äke is the deputy competition director and we go far back .
So training might be good first for some and started on June 4. The official training will be from 11-14 and the comps start on June 15 till 25. Will keep you informed as a few friends and some other girls I know/met are flying!
Arboga is situated to the West of Eskilstuna and surrounded by 2 big lakes to the S and E.
On the picture; Tor Johannessen , president of the jury in Arboga [middle] and Arild Solbakken the chief steward[middle]
During the Dutch Nationals I had a long and interesting conversation with Iain Baker from JS1.The JS 1 flew impressive here at the Nationals with a 1 ,[ Ronald Termaat ] and 2 spot , [Maurits Dortu ] overall till the last day when the number 2 was called on duty and could not fly. I had an interview with Iain , business managar at Jonker Sailplanes , here to assist with whatever was necessary to deliver the gliders to their owners.”It is ALL about personnel service”
To celebrate the arrival of a container full of JS1 gliders[5] , no not all for Holland, also one for the UK, Lithuania and Denmark, all pilots were invited for a Braai , a SA BBQ. On top of that all official stamps and spare parts for the Service Center Terlet ,were in the container.This Center is now officially certified by the SA Civil Aviation Authority to do inspections and reparations.For more news about the JS1 you can look at their new site; www.jonkersailplanes.com
Another type and flying for the first time in a Dutch competition was the HpH 304 s “SHARK”.
Dutch importer Ton Staassen found 2 young top pilots to fly this very roomy glider , European champion Rene de Dreu flying glider 1 and runner up Tim Kuijpers. The gliders just arrived before the comps and practise in it was not really possible. But during the competition the boys got better and better, as they said , it was not the glider but other additional circumstances, that did not bring them in the top. They really needed bug wipers to be competetive, so they were installed. With a 600 kg glider , full of water, the shark was fast, and the cloudstreets were flown , as expected, with big speed. For more news about this glider , called on their flyer as bringing “new dimensions in gliding” look at;
www.hph.cz or www.hph-benelux.nl
I received the pictures from Rene.
Today an occlusion divides Europe in cold and warm. Finland is lucky with great temperatures. so I hope for some nice flights from there. The OLC is more or less dominated by the USA at this stage, with lot’s of nice flights from club and standard class gliders. Off to Amsterdam now.
See you next Sunday, get a few guests over Pentecost but I try to be there!
Cheers Ritz