The news from January 2 2011

Alphen aan den Rijn      Sunday January 2 2011    ritzdeluy@hotmail.com

Hope you “survived” the beginning of 2011, bubbles can give you a headache if you are not used to it. Luckily I had a lot of practice in the past, as some of you know, bringing me straight after work already the first glass. Some even while still working, but this is a long time ago. It all comes back now I have been in Tocumwal again.

When Tony introduced me to friends he said; “Long before the word blogging  was invented,  Ritz was blogging already”. Don’t know if I am the first blogger, but for sure an early and very dedicated one.

A great beginning of 2011 for retired Transavia pilot Julio Poch, who was released on bail from the prison in Argentina. It is said that a former Transavia CEO has paid most of the security to get him free. Great to see that more people believe in Julio’s innocence. Julio hopes to travel soon back to Holland to catch up with his wife , children and grand children.

Also a good start for young Belgian pilot Dennis , who flies with his dad Eddy, in Bitterwasser. He flew 1000 km in a Ventus 2 CM, just before the new year started, bringing him for sure in a great mood. I presume it is his first 1000 k. Daddy Eddy flew already one in Tocumwal long time ago, if I remember well on January 6. More Belgium friends are in Africa as just after Christmas Bert and Hilde left for Kiripotib to fly together the ASH 25. Great to hear that all 800 copies in Dutch of the book about the history of soaring in Flanders ,  by Bert sr. have sold out within 10 months!!! Indeed a collector’s item and I am very pleased to have one with a personnel message!!!

Weather in Australia is finally improving. Good, as the Nationals will be flown in Benalla soon, with a lot of friends I know .As you surely know as well , Benalla was the venue of the WGC in 1987, but that year the weather was pretty difficult.
Longer flights as well in Corowa, where pilots enjoyed  up to 600 km.plus  flights, where the temperature went up to 40 dgr.. And now I have been in NZ it is nice to see that the South Island ,where Omarama is, had a 739 km flight in an LS 8. On the last day of the year Tocumwal had it’s first Gold C height day and at 3 PM also 40 dgr. Great to see Klaus Brand back in Tocumwal!!!And what about good old Christof Kratzner!!!!!Really great to see his smiling face on pictures in Tocumwal again.
On the other hand in Queensland still 200.000 people are away from home due to the heavy flooding after the worst rainfall in 50 years. 22 Towns are under water. The area is as big as Germany and France together. In some places the water drops but in Rockhampton , a place with 77.000 people, the river Fitzroy, starts to rise now and they expect a flooding of 40 % of the town. VERY SAD!!!!

From Argentina I received the message that the club from Horatio bought 4 months ago a Janus C in France. First flight in Argentina was on December 23.Horatio spends New Year with his soaring mates in the city of Azul, home of the 58th National Championships.

The last day of 2010 had  58 flights and the best was in Argentina; a nice triangle of 630 km.in a DG 800.
The discussion about flying tasks with the new OLC FAI rules is getting bigger. BUT….. Nobody forces anybody to leave a perfect street to go to hardworking conditions to win the day on FAI OLC. JOY in gliding is what must be the motive for flying. It is fantastic to see good set FAI triangles , but CERTAINLY not at all cost, as then…they say in an add at the Australian TV about drinking /driving, you are a “ bloody idiot”. If you want to be the best, that is YOUR decision, so go for it, but keep it safe at all times. My modest opinion!

In Tauranga I received the latest Gliding International personally from the editor. What’s in it? The story about “The Shark”, a Czech built, self-launching 18 m. sailplane [still experimental at this stage] , the performance, technical specifications etc . The electric winch and …..the all electric tug. A long and VERY interesting lecture about the evolution of contest soaring by John H Cochrane. The Swift. The 2010 Sailplane Convention in Ulm in Germany and much more…

Belgium Company Brussels Airlines had a severe problem with a passenger , on their flight to Kinshasa, who threatened other passengers and crew . The captain of the A 330 decided after 1 hour to fly back. The passenger from Congo was arrested.

The new Dutch Gliding Magazine Thermiek is out as well. Read it online already at www.zweefportaal.nl Interesting article about the vision on [old] age from pilots. Also the 38th International  Vintage Glider Club Rally and …the last from 4 columns in 2010 from former Red Bull racer Frank Versteegh….., a pity, I liked his sometimes confronting mirrors on gliding in Holland in his own flamboyant style.

A new year , what’s going to happen, keep reading and you will know all in’s and out’s  seen through my {no,… not pink} glasses. By the way , have to visit they eye doctor on Wednesday as well.
Cu you on Wednesday hopefully “LIFE” then. Hate this!!!!

Cheers Ritz

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