On Wednesday May 25, they still had only 1 day in Standard, 15 m and open class and 2 in 18 m and 2-seater class.
That changed that day, as 5 tasks were set on a , as meteorologist Jupp, expected/predicted, good soaring day, with a top job by the tuggies as well; all 105 gliders up in 1hour 30 .
18 m; 366 km.…a rather late start by Wolfgang [Janowitsch] at 13.41 whilst the first on track left at 13.02. It turned out to be a good choice ,…he won the day with a speed of 119.50 km./h. Pete [Harvey] was runner up ,he started 9 minutes earlier and was back 8 minutes earlier;1000 points for Wolfgang and 998 for Pete , both flying the Ventus 3T.
From 37, only 3 were out , unfortunately also Stefanie [Muhl] after 332 km.
standard; 278 km…In my last blog I told you that I expected a lot from my young Belgian mates and the UK boys. They performed!!!!
Dennis [Huybreckx] and Jeroen [Jennen] ,I noticed over several comps they flew together, seem to have the best pair-flying-skills; they shared spot 1!!!
Speed 115.59 and 115.56 km/h , starting and finishing together; the cousins both got 764 points.
Henry [Inigo -Jones] also in the Ventus 3 had a speed of 103 km./h and was 3d.[613 p]
His UK mates , Jake Brattle, Tom Pavis and Tom Arscott were on spot 12,13 and 15.
From 20 only 1 was out!!!
15 m; 308 km...”Our -Tocumwal –kilometer- eater” Jan [Umlauf] won the day!! I am very pleased. He also flew together with a club mate ; spot 1 and 2 and 938 and 936 points. They had a rather late start at 13.40 whilst the number 3 Timothy [Scott] started at 13.13 and “lost” 2 points on them.
16 started and 11 were in.
open; 331 km.…Markus [Frank] in his EB 29R , one of the last to start, was the fastest with 132 km./h. He was followed by 2 EB’s from Jim[Acketoft] and Pierre[ de Broqueville ], but they were a bit slower; 126.50 km./h
17 started and 14 finished, sorry to see Uli Knauss “out”, 10 km in front of the finish.
2 seaters; 313 km…they had the more challenging conditions, from 15 only 8 were in. Martin[Theisinger ] won his 2 successive win with 108 km./h. Norbert [Sommer] another of our long-time-ago former Sportavia guests, was runner up; 104 km./h.
Sorry to see Steve Jones out!
In the evening before there was a Schempp-Hirth -invitation for dinner.

Thursday May 26;
They started the day with blue skies BUT , “there is hardly anything left of the blue sky.” m
Meteorologist Jupp,” our weather is affected by shielding, accompanied by strong winds. Only in the afternoon should conditions improve for our pilots. “ Well, we had to wait and see.
First they cancelled 18 and 20 m. rest-day for them.
Then gliders were put at the grid with open upfront and 15 m and standard behind them. They expected late starts.
Then also standard was scrubbed.
open;
15m; task 6….138 km....the longest ‘sit” in the glider was by a French pilot. For the distance he needed 2 hours and 34 minutes in his Ventus, but he was in.
Only 1 was out.
Daily winner; Werner Amann from Switzerland who ,with a speed of 85 km./h “raced” his AS33es over the track.
With 2 days to go it’s UK pilot Timothy who leads ahead of 2 German and 3 French pilots.
Open; task 6….187 km...Normally Uli would not get his ETA out of the hangar for such a small task, but it’s a competition , so he had to. Good he did, as he won the day; speed 97.51 km,/h.
The other 16 starting pilots had to fly as well and 11 finished.
Markus ,who won task 5 did not start.

Friday May 27; one but last day but NO FLYING for all classes !!!!Nice picture though. In the evening Bert Schmelzer jr spoke about Soaring in the Swiss Alps. Bert is from Belgium but lives already for years in Switzerland.

Saturday LAST DAY and a good one, to finish this always exciting competition!!! Out of 8 ,they had 4 flying days for each class .
“The weather seems promising, so all classes will be allowed to start. The gridding has already started. As usually runway 31 is in use.” at 8AM. First launch expected at 11.15. “Small ones” upfront, “bigger ones” behind , with open as last. If they have the weather we had here in Holland yesterday it should be good.
18 m.; 4 hour AAT…472 km. was good for spot 1 on this last day. Christophe Abadie flew it in 4.07. Bert jr. had a few kilometers more ….497…but needed also some more time ;4.21.
NO 1000 points for Christophe as he just was 7 m higher at start, than the allowed 1700 m.;991 points. Wolfgang was 3d and Christian Maex in the new AS33es did a good job during this comps , by being consistent.
35 started and finished!!!!!
Winners of the 2022 HAHNWEIDE COMPETITION in 18 m;
1. Wolfgang Janowitsch[Austria] in Ventus 3T with 3.175 points.
2. Christian Maex [Germany] in AS 33es with 3.154 p.
3. Bert Schmelzer jr.[Belgium] in Ventus 3T with 3.071
Close scores and the top 3 pilots were the only ones over the 3000 points mark.

Standard ;4 hour AAT.…my 3 Keiheuvel mates did a real good job. This time Jeroen and Dennis also took cousin Tim in the pair flying and they finished on the first 3 spots, after a late start at 13.15 [the first pilots started at 12.40.] They flew 430 km. in time 4.07.
From the 19 starters , 16 finished. I was a tad disappointed in the UK boys, as I know how good they are/can be.
2022 HAHNWEIDE WINNERS IN STANDARD CLASS:
1. Jeroen Jennen in LS 8a with 2.334 points.
2. Dennis Huybreckx in LS 8 with 2.196 p.
3. Helmut Koelle in Discus CS with 1.974 p.

15 m; 4 hour AAT.…Sebastian Huhmann flew in his AS 33 461 km in time 4.09 good for 1000 points. He was every day in the top 10. Julien Duboc [Ventus 2xa] was runner up with 429 km. in time 4.09. Jan was 7th , nearly loosing 300 points .
16 started and 16 finished! What do you want more!?
15m HAHNEIDE 2022 WINNERS;
1. Sebastian Huhmann [Germany ] in AS 33with 2.867 points.
2. Julien Duboc [France] in Ventus 2ax with 2.635 p.
3. Timothy Scott [UK] in ASG 29 with 2.609 p. Jan was 4th with 2.587 p.

open; 4 hour AAT….ONLY one pilot , Max Kolmarr in Nimbus 4 T , flew 500 km in 4.11, so a nice speed of 119.49 km./h going from spot 8 to 5 overall. BUT, he did not win the last day. That was Markus who flew 488 km in time 4.02; speed 120.82 km./h. his second win!
Sylvain was 3d and Uli 4th. 17 started and 3 were out.
OPEN winners in the 2022 HAHNWEIDE competition;
1. Uli Schwenk [Germany] in ETA with 2.507 points.
2. Sylvain Gerbaud [France] in EB 29R with 2.275 p.
3. Pierre de Broqueville [Belgium] in EB 29DR with 2.243 p.
On spot 4 Markus who missed 1 day of flying.

20 m; 4 hour AAT...413 km for Steve Jones ; speed 102 km./h followed by Martin with 102 km./h.
13 started and finished! Nothing changed in the overall top 3;
Hahnweide 20 m winners;
1. Martin Theisinger [Germany] in Arcus M with 2.814 points.
2. Norbert Sommer [Germany] in Arcus M with 2.645 p.
3. Louis Bouderlique [France]in Arcus T with 2.633 p.

The Belgium airfield Keiheuvel can be proud on their participants at this Hahnweide competition. I asked Bert sr. to send me some pictures and /or news. He send this lovely picture of 4 of the members also 4 family members.

AND ALL GLIDERS and PARTICIPANTS;

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Dutch Nationals ,…..as we say the NK.
24 May 2022 – 4 June 2022

On May 25 tasks were set for the practice day in each of the 5 classes with 50 competitors; a lot of them real Dutch toppers with WORLD , JUNIOR WORLD and European experience. After 2 years finally a busy Dutch soaring event on National level again.
18 m,[13] , open [9] and the 20m. [9 teams] had 260 km ,
club [12] and combi class [8] 199 km. .Only one 18 m. class pilot finished from all 50 competitors .
May 26; day 1 and task 1 in all classes.

Day 1 Task 1;
Club;139 km...won by Jelmer Vis….speed 76 km./h.
12 started and finished, a lot in an LS 4; 8x.
Combi; 147 km.…Max Leenders in the JS 3 won ;speed 83 km./h
8 started and 2 were out.
18 m; 156 km….Peter Millenaar , flew with a speed of 111 km./h to the daily victory, in his JS 3jet. Followed by Jeroen Verkuijl, Steven Raimond, Sjaak Selen and Lars Groot, all names you read already over the years in this blog.
12 started , 1 was out.
Open ;165 km….”speedy Gonzales ” Bas Seijffert, won the firs day ;speed 110 km./h in the JS 1jet, followed by Francois Jeremiasse in the EB 29R; 106 km./h.
9 started and 9 finished.
20m; 149 km…The Duo Discus from the Amsterdamse was the best with 369 points for a speed of 88 km./h. Erik and Joost , still practicing for the WGC in Hungary were runner up in their Arcus T; faster with 92 km./h but handicapped.
9 started and 8 finished, so a good day for all.

Day 2, Task 2;
a day on which pilots from other field flew over 800 km. cloud base over The Netherlands was 1200 and over Germany 1600 m. Tough wind though 35/40 km./h.
From Stadtlohn, not that far from Holland and a frequent TP for our pilots, Max Mensing flew a 1000 in an 18 m. Ventus 2c.
Club ; 284 km....good day for Joep Heesakkers in his LS 4;97 km./h. Robin Smit was runner up. All 12 who started finished as well.
Combi;342 km...Female pilot Marissa Prins won the day in her LS 8neo for 1000 points. 8 started and 1 was out; Max , who won the day before. He always flew Nimbus 4DM, so might have to get used to the JS 3.
18 m; 358 km Steven flies a different glider as well nowadays ;the AS33es and it seems to fit him , as he was the best and also for 1000 points; speed 111km.h. Peter was just behind him with 110 km./h.
12 started and 11 finished
Open ; 367 km...and it was Bas again winning the day. He finished a bit low so no 1000 points for him but 941. Bas flew with a speed of 117 km./h quite a bit faster than runner up Francois in his EB ; 104 km./h
All 9 starters finished!!!
20 m; 345 km….5 x an ARCUS T in the top . Erik and Joost had a nice speed of 111 km./h whilst runner up team Groot/Wijsman, flew around with 104 km./h. 9 teams started 8 finished.

Day 3 , Task 3; A good day over several parts of Europe, but windy again direction NW and temperatures between 14 and 18 dgr. here in Holland.
Club; 4 hour AAT….Thies Bruins , was the first for the day; 412 km with a speed of 97 km./h in his ASW 20, for 1000 points.
11 flew the task and 8 were in.
Combi; 4 hour AAT...young ones at the top, always good to see; Nick Faber [Discus 2]and Mark van der Ham[ASW 24] got 1000 and 998 points for 403 km with a speed of 96 km./h. Marissa, one of the few girls, was 4th.
8 started ,5 were in.
18 m; 4 hour AAT….3 toppers in the top 3! Peter Millenaar , former JWGC champion in Leszno in 2013, who already won a day in his JS 3jet flew 520 km!!! Speed 125 km./h TOP!!!
Steven Raimond former European champion was runner up; 475 km …speed 119 km./h and Jeroen Verkuijl frequent WGC pilot, 471 km …speed 116 km./h Between all those toppers young Lars Groot keeps going; spot 4 with 481 km…speed 115 km./h.
open ; 4 hour AAT...NO, not Bas today, he was 5th , but Victor Wetzinga in a Nimbus 4DLM; 459 km …speed 115 km./h. Francois was runner up and Ronald Termaat 3d.
20 m; 4 hour AAT...474 km [116 km./h] for Erik and Joost another great practice day for the WGC in Hungary. Runner up was Sikko [Vermeer] , who was in “my” team in the Uvalde WGC 1991 and in Rayskala in 1988 at the Europeans. He now flies the Duo Discus together with Annemiek [Koers] ,who was a top junior , studied aviation and aerospace technology at the Delft university and was in 2013 involved with solar cars ,…..she was one of the designers of the solar car [NUNA 7] who won during the Australian World Solar Challenge.

Day 4; BUT no task 4 , it rained cat’s and dogs here.

Day 5 ;task 4....
A day with all kinds of weather….so small tasks BUT tasks!!!!!
Late starts as it was waiting for the moment they could stay up. In the end it was much better than it looked and they all had a pleasant flying day.
Rob Looisen, who flew several WGC’s in the past , is not participating but flew from Terlet 500 km. in the ARCUS M.
“a short run in polar air, fun” was one opinion.
Club; 165 km.….all 12 flew and finished and the best was Robin in his LS4 neo; 97.04 km./h. whilst runner up Thies had 97.79 km./h! Points; 479 and 466.
Combi;158 km.…start between 3.15 PM and 3.56. 8 started and 8 finished and 1 of my “husbos-boys” won the day in his LS 8; Robbie Seton.410 points.
18 m;170 km….AND,..young Lars ,who flew a lot over the last year, managed to win the day.;107.91 km./h followed by topper Peter with 107.28 km./h for 356 and 352 points. All 12 started and finished!
Open; 170 km.…It’s getting boring, but Bas [JS 1jet] won again; 123 km/h. Runner up Francois [EB 29r] had 121 km./h.
All 9 who started fished as well!!!
20 m; 159 km.… and YES, Erik and Joost were the best again;108.28 km/h. whilst team Bart Renckens/Dolfin flew around with 107 km./h.

May 31, last day of the month already! A pretty cool day again [16 dgr.C] with nice morning conditions , but the expectation of local thunderstorms in the [late] afternoon with gusty wind and downpours.
Light at the horizon as the temperatures rise to 25 again and the rain will stop,…at least that’s what they predict.
Day 6; task 5…
Club; 108 km...in the end cancelled. Code yellow in Holland for hail and gusty wind.
Combi; 124 km...cancelled.
18 m; 124 km.…THEY had to fly…a quick up and then gain down but mostly back at the field. With 104 km./h Jeroen raced up and down for 257 points, but points they are!
Open; 146 km...Fast run for Francois , needing 1 hour and 11 minutes in the mighty EB. All 9 were in.
20 m; 127 km….Not the best day for Erik and Joost, just squeezing in as number 8 from 9 ,BUT IN. Sikko and Annemiek won the day with a speed of 86.76 km./h un the Duo.

June 1, beginning of the meteorological summer here.
No tasks yet, but I keep you informed. It will still be a day with showers in their area.

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OLC; Last Saturday there were a lot of 1000 km flights!!! At least 10 in Europe. 6 from several places in Germany but also 4 from Holland and one from Belgium. Very special!!!!! I thought the LS 3 GOAL- flight from Soesterberg ,[Amsterdam Club of Soaring] was a pretty gutsy one as, going with the strong wind over Germany , he landed in Czechia. Jeroen van Dijk was that hero! And it was for sure not an easy flight. He called the first 6 hours, ‘hours of sweating’.
“special thanks to our Czech friends from Strunkovice, thanks for your hospitality.” And of course for Lennart who drove up to get him back. Nice adventure and lots of pictures on the OLC [flight number 3 on May 28.]
2 More flights from Soesterberg by soaring mates Alfred Paul and Mark in their ASG 29; 1.130 km. also far into Germany a bit more SE.
They called it a bizarre good day which started very early.
From Terlet a 1000 as well by young Nick Hanenburg. [Discus 2ct] He could start early, ahead of the National-pilots.
With the family at the HAHNWEIDE , Tijl Schmelzer [ brother from Bert jr]flew in his Ventus 3 1.131 km…. flew a Belgian Record free out and return 1052km.!!!!!All the way to Bayreuth and back!!!!
This was option B as the A option did not work due to less conditions read slower, over the Sauerland.
Also in the UK the weather was good and 2 young pilots flew their GOLD DISTANCE and DIAMONF GOAL from Oxford.

Last Monday another 14x a 1000 and today SUMMER starts so we might call it a pretty good spring here in Europe. One was even flown from the Hahnweide in a Ventus 3T.
Though, in the night from Monday to Tuesday ,we had frost- at -the-ground, which is not good for the garden and orchards, but creates nice polar conditions for the pilots, hence, it should not rain or create thunderstorms !!!

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In between the FAI SGP in Lithuania started on May 29. It’s the 3d of series 11 and the very first one in Lithuania. There was a 50 % chance of flying , but it turned out not possible.

So task 1 went in the “bin” and then there was NO TASK but yesterday the pilots had to fly 224 km. Only 1 pilot finished.
More next week.

Look for many more comps at www.soaringspot.com
The Lasham Regionals continue till June 4 with 58 pilots.
So does the Finish National Gliding Championship with 30 competitors from Rayskala.
The 2022 Canadian Soaring Competition is still on in Chipman till June 3.
The Danish Nationals with 55 competitors from Arnborg till June 5.
The 67 th National in Hungary from Szatymaz till June 5, but not 1 day flown yet.
Uppsala Masters; from June 11-18 2022.

CU ,cheers Ritz