12th FAI Junior World Gliding Championships
Tábor, Czech Republic,
30 July 2022 – 13 August 2022

After a rest -day and a rain- day the juniors had to “work” again as tasks were pretty good and they are of course EAGER to go again. Back on track!!!
RAIN,…..No worries for the young ones , NOT EVEN with mud and rain:

Matej [son from Tomas the CD] wrote in the morning;
“After two free days, in which pilots could rest and regain some energy for the next week of the competition, the weather will be good enough today for another competition task. A clear blue sky with occasional cumulus clouds is expected today. The weather will not stay flyable very long, therefore the pilots will have to fly fast, but that should be their goal every day. Some of them might use skills they gained yesterday when they had the opportunity to fly the Czech classic L-13 Blaník.”
So things to keep in mind , a pretty short day but good enough to go fast.

August 7…day 8…competition day 6…task 7.
First launch confirmed for 11. During briefing they got the weather, the tasks and some memories on using the PEV correctly [ wait time 5 minutes. start window 8 minutes and you can do it 3x]
The safety message was clear:
LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT.
STAY HYDRATED
STAY ALERT AFTER 2 FREE DAYS
FLY SAFE.
Tonight there will be a presentation about the next JEGC in Arnborg in Denmark in 2023.
Cloud base today is about 1700 m.

Club; 275 km…..start gate open at 12. 08….The early starters at 12.23 were back just after 3 hours of flying; speed 90 km./h.
Some of the later starters were faster and flew with over 100 km./h .
One of them ASW 20 pilot [handicap 1.059] flying the distance in 2 hours 43 minutes; Milan was in the end runner up. With his mate Samual , [ASW 20 cj] they were the only 2 pilots flying over 100 km./h.
A few started more than an hour after the gate opened.
For some a blessing, for a few other pilots not so much.
You remember,….The forecast was for an early end of lift.
It took French pilot Alexandre [he won task 2] ,who started early at 13.07, 3 hours and 7 minutes, so 88 km./h
Our Dutch pilot started at 13.37 and Jelmer was in his LS 4a ,[handicap 1.025] back after 2 hours and 47 minutes; 98.87, in the end the winning speed .
A risk, or a calculated risk or just after looking at the meteo and thinking with courage…. “I can do it” ….what ever it helped.I will try to find out for you.
His mate Lars was 3d today but he started a bit earlier, just after 1PM.
The 2 German pilots Toni and Nils in LS 4a, were 4th and 5th.

Standard; 285 km….start gate opened at 12.37.
Just before 4PM the first pilots returned and finished.
Also in this class late starters , as p.e. German pilot Simon, in Discus 2a, who departed at 13.46!!! He needed 2 hours and 26 minutes, so was VERY fast. Speed 117 km./h !!!!
That was in the end 10 km./h. faster than the runner up; French pilot Enguerrand….107.95 km.
Simon moved from 3 to 1 overall.
The last to go on track left at 13.52 .
Interesting to see;
Belgian pilot Henri, LS 8, departed at 12.52.59 and finished at 15.54.06.
Aussie pilot Ryan , LS 8, left an hour later, was back an hour later [16.54] and they were on a daily spot 22 and 23.
“Poor” Maurits he was out after 140 km…….and was a proud pilot on spot 1 overall , before the rest -day……now on spot 13.
I feel his pain!!!! But he is resilient, so is the team.

Words from Matej to finish this day:
“The majority of gliders are currently back on the ground, with a few of them still racing to the finish line. Today was not easy. The weather did not spare anyone, which significantly shuffled the total results of the competition and the overall leaders in both club and standard class have fallen from their podium positions. As predicted in the morning, the day started with about 4 octas of very thin cumulus clouds that quickly began to dissipate and completely disappear later in the afternoon due to the high clouds arriving. The winner in club class today is Jelmer Vis from the Netherlands and in standard class, the winner today is Simon Briel from Germany who has now moved to the overall first position. In club class, the UK team is now in the overall lead thanks to a very consistent performance from Finn Sleigh and Toby Freeland. We have an engaging race ahead of us because the pilots are true professionals and all of them fight very hard for the title of junior world champion.”

2 pilots are not counted for yet. I will add them later .
AND,…they have been scored now. One

Jakub from Poland in club was out after 66 km and one from Standard after 88 km.
But GLAD they are both counted for now.
A real off- day for Team Holland in standard class. Mark was after Maurits, also out ; 85 km.
They started about the same time as the winner, so that was good. …..
Life can be tough!!!! A daily winner and number 3 in club and 2 disappointed pilots in standard.

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A FEW LOOKING BACK’S on Szeged.
Looking back on the WGC with Jeroen Verkuijl, who was on spot 4 in 18 m., a place you do not really “like” . GREAT SPOT THOUGH!!!!!!
“What an amazing weeks.
4th. No podium, but nevertheless proud of my results in the Royal 18 meter Class world championship. So many champions, some not even making it to the first ten.
I’m not a fan of the heat, but you need it for that ridiculous good weather we had. Flying above 2 kilometres most of the time, luckily temperatures were more comfortable.
But the weather wasn’t the only thing that made it a success. Good atmosphere within the team and a VERY well organised championship are main factors. But there is more. The field is very close to the city of Szeged, witch has a lot to offer. That made it so much more fun for the family. The water organ in front of the museum and the Aquapolis, with all its amazing slides, were favorite for the kids. A treat, you don’t often have in the vicinity of an airfield.”

Looking back with Jonker Sailplanes;
“Open Class was dominated by the EB29Rs with Felipe Levin and Oscar Gaudriaan taking gold and silver. Radek Krejcirik secured bronze medal in a JS1C showing how competitive these machines still are. The Krejcirik family really made gliding history with dad Peter Krejcirik taking gold medal in 20m Class.
But it was not all about gliding. JS once again provided technical support and assistance wherever needed. As a result, many new friends were made and Attie and Uys were awarded the Airmanship Trophy for FAIR PLAY.
The South African Team with captain Jason Adrian made history by finishing second overall – the best ever performance to date!
Thanks again to the organization and all pilots and crews who made this such a special event.
Hope to see you all again at the next WGC.”
And also from Jonker Sailplanes;
“The 37th WGC is done and dusted!
Yes, a lot of dust but the most amazing gliding conditions any pilot can dream off. 2500 m cloud base with 3 to 6 m/s climbs – gliding heaven.
Hats off to the team of volunteers let by competition director Andras Gyöngyösi who did a marvelous job. Most pilots regard this World Gliding Championship as the best they ever participated in.
It was exactly 12 years ago when JS entered the WGC in Szeged with 6 JS1 – four of them finished in the top ten.
2022 almost 2/3 of all gliders in 18m Class were JS gliders with 7 JS3s in the top ten at the end.
It seems that most of the top 18m pilots selected the JS3 and clearly, they understand how to operate these machines! An astonishing 12 JS3 were in the top 15 including the first 6 positions.“
They are definitely allowed “to show off”!

Looking back with Mélanie Gadoulet , soon on her way soon to defend her title in the WWGC in Husbands Bosworth.
She was very grateful to the French team to allow her to fly in 18 m. with them and with the other French pilots who welcomed her warmly between them.
It was a great competition and she finished on sport 14. She hoped and thought a place in the top 10 would/could have been possible too. She is as everybody else very enthusiast about the weather, the long and good set tasks and the perfect organization.
Very well trained now, better than ever before ,she starts next week the WWGC.
Good luck to her in the UK.

Looking back with Arne Boye Moeller:
“What a World Championship! Proud of my 8th place in the company of such skilled pilots and friends, family, team mates and with my super Crew Chief Allan Frank Madsen without whom all had been very difficult. The Hungarians made a fantastic setup that just ran like clockwork. Ground organization, weather forecast, tasksetting, scorers and tugpilots were unnervingly correct every day. That the weather was extremely good every day was a huge bonus factor in the overall experience and fairness. We flew some 4.800+ km in total in the course of 10 competition days at speeds typically well above 135 kph every day in ground temperatures well above 37 deg. Now awaits a 1.700km ride with trailer and then serious cleaning of my glider, trailer and equipment….”

Looking back with Oscar Goudriaan;
“Although gliding is not traditionally considered a team sport, it certainly takes a team behind the scenes to achieve results. Thanks to my co-pilot Riaan Denner for his sharp eyes, technical ability and ever-sharp input. Also our team on the ground – in our case Dave Robbie, Jackie Denner and Charlene Goudriaan back home for all the positive thoughts and encouragement.
South Africa’s pilots achieved a silver medal in the combined team cup due to our consistent high average performance, and with the support of our ground crew and team captain, getting the latest weather and other relevant tactical information before flying.
For a nation with so few gliding resources and pilots, we are punching well above our weight.”

Looking back with the Belgium team with former WGC champion Bert Schmelzer jr.
“Szeged, you have been wonderful!
Our Belgian pilots enjoyed a last bombastic flying day yesterday, in partly blue conditions up to 2800metres, before we could all enjoy a very well organized farewell dinner and party.
Good food, cold drinks and many nice conversations made it into a very enjoyable evening.
At 10AM today, the closing ceremony and the prize giving took place. In open class, Daan and Koen (8th place!!) and in the 18m class, Bert Schmelzer (10th place!!) received their diploma’s for being amongst the worlds top 10 pilots in their respective classes. Tijl never gave up his fighting spirit and managed to get back to place 27 in this strong pool of pilots.
Even if we didn’t manage to have a spot on the podium, we all concluded that the 37th wgc was a fantastic competition with good team spirit, lots of laughter and nice memories made.
Hungary, we will be back to enjoy more of your South African weather and thermals (and worlds best home-made lemonade ).
Over – and – out !“

Still one important item: The IGC/FAI flag was handed over by president of the jury in Szeged ,Marina Galetto, to John Good, as the next WGC for long wings will be in 2024 in Uvalde in Texas, where I was twice in 1991 and 2012.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SHARED THEIR NEWS ABOUT THIS WGC.
I was able to write with your help some good read stories.

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I promised you the picture from the winners in LIVNO. Here it is.

The next one is in France in Vinon sur Verdon. September 4 – September 10 and the last change IN Europe to qualify for the grand final.

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And, we had PERFECT weather here in The Netherlands too . Yesterday 2 of our “just not juniors”
anymore, but still very young flew amazing flights FROM HOLLAND!!!!!

What about a nearly 1000 in an ASW 20?
Caspar, one of the well known Dutch Kuijpers family ,…his brother Tim was JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION in 2011 in Musbach in club class…. just did n’t make a 1000 triangle, but what great effort; 954 km [813 km FAI triangle]in ASW 20 JWL, from Malden.
Same great performance, now in an LS7 with winglets from Wenzendorf in Germany; 907 km [795 FAI triangle]
Lars [Groot] declared a 900 km. out and return to Luesse close to Berlin,. He started at Terlet and flew it yesterday with a speed of 112 km./h. To make the day even more brilliant, he added a few k’s to achieve his 1000 !!!!
The O&R seems good enough for 2 Dutch records in 18 m and open!!
“The best weather I flew in from Holland“[ASG 29E/18 m] He started at Terlet.
TOP JOB!!!!
https://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-3.0/gliding/flightinfo.html?dsId=9114560

Another out and return to Luesse was flown by Francois and Bas. This was the first 1000 k for Bas in 42 years. A MILESTONE and so deserved; 1.017 km in the ARCUS T.
His comment;
“What a day. Claimed the club’s Arcus 20T, took a winch launch and went. The first part of the flight wasn’t easy but it became better every hour. My first 1000 km flight from my own club and the first of the Arcus 20T. I hope many will follow.“
AND, the first 1000 for Frank [ a former JWGC pilot] flying in the EB 28 with Bart also to Berlin/Luesse;
“What a legendary day. My first 1000 km distance. I have seen rarely such strong and reliable lift in Germany. And,…so late in the season. Awesome”
We had 6 over 1000 km. flights from HOLLAND.
One in an LS 3 from Soesterberg!!!!1.014.45 km. and 5 from Terlet.
2 in a NIMBUS 4 DM, 1 in ARCUS T , 1 in EB 28, and the one in the LS 3 and ASG 29.
“WE” were high on the OLC list…… reason to “show off ” a bit!!!!
Several pilots called it THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!!

Also the UK is in heavenly modus:
“What a weekend so far!!
Congratulations to the numerous Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond Claims from pilots so far from what has been a truly spectacular 48 hours of Gliding.
Special Mentions to
Nigel Mallender- First 750km in a LS8 15
Chris Bennett- First 750km in a DG400
Tim Robson- First 750km in a Duo Discus
Malgosia Marczynski- First 750km in a Discus 2cT
Dave Tanner and Dave Masson- 950km (OLC) in a Nimbus 3DT
Andy Aveling and Jordan Bridge- 1001km (OLC) in an Arcus M
Martin Clark- 950km Declared in a JS1
About Andy and Jordan and their flight last Friday ;
“850 kilometres Declared.
1000 kilometres Completed OLC.
10 hours 30 minutes airborne in one flight.
From the Welsh Borders to the flatlands of Nottinghamshire and the Isle of Wight. Still soaring at 8pm at 5000ft!
Gliding in the UK simply doesn’t get better than this.
Being able to fly distances of 750km and over isn’t common in the UK. That’s equivalent to the distance of flying London to Geneva in Switzerland in a straight line. All without an engine!“
As shared by the Lasham Gliding Society, as enthusiast as I am!!!

AND today the weather looks as good. IF YES , I will mention it tomorrow!

Due to my long stay in this soaring world [from 1967] I know more people from the WGC’s I have been visiting than the JWGC’s , so there are many contacts and lot’s of ways to find out, when I am not there, to see what’s going on.
That’s more difficult with the juniors.
Still I have been at the first one at Terlet in The Netherlands in 1999, as guest.
In 2005 in Husbos as TC from 6 Dutch young ones. One of them is now in Tabor . Robbie Seton. His wife is the TC from “our” team.
In 2007 in Rieti, as competition editor .
In 2009 in Rayskala as competition editor. There I congratulated Felipe Levin with his title in standard class, now he is the new WGC champion in Szeged.
In 2015 in Narromine [Australia] as guest.
BUT,….as you know, in the year they turn 25 they are not a junior anymore, so the wastage is huge.
It’s easier to write about people and pilots you know, contacting them is easy.
But I really like how the young ones deal with comps, open minded, sometimes a bit “wild” /over-enthusiast and eager. Their friendships during such a WGC last long,!
So I try to do my best to find and write enough interesting “stuff” about this last JWGC week.

The British Gliding Team is helping already.
“JWGC Czech – The internet situation seems to have improved so we’ve been able to upload all the summary videos from the past week onto our youtube channel!
Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/BritishGlidingTeam/videos
And don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to be notified of any new uploads – we have lots of new content coming your way”

More tomorrow

Cheers Ritz