Post 1.543 on September 1 2024 .

Start of the metrological autumn with tropical temperatures here in the South of The Netherlands; 31 dgr. C . My mates down-under have looked forward to their spring which started too.

First more about and from Sarah, who is overly happy as more USA mates.
“For years I’ve dreamed of becoming the first woman to earn gold in the unrestricted World Gliding Championships, and superstitiously refused to say it aloud, afraid that perhaps it was just too big of a goal.
Along the way I’ve learned how to earn points in glider racing, and a LOT of ways to lose them. I’ve learned that it takes a special set of circumstances to win and not all factors are in anyone’s control. I’ve felt the thrills of victory and agonies of defeat. I’ve learned that in glider racing there are more hard lessons to learn than easy ones. I’ve been buoyed by countless kindnesses and felt the pressure at the top, being hunted by the best in the world.
These experiences of mine have come over but a fourth of the time that Karl has been on his own quest. It seemed like such a fairy tale to wish for us to win, for Karl to get his gold, and finally have USA world champions from a contest hosted inside the United States.
When we took the lead early on we both fought hard to keep thoughts of a potential win out of our heads, and just took one day at a time. We couldn’t believe it would happen until we crossed the finish ring yesterday afternoon. Thank you to all who have worked tirelessly over many years to give us this opportunity. Words aren’t enough, my heart is full.”
Sarah Arnold and some pictures shared by Sarah.

The editor of the magazine [hangar soaring] of the WSPA [Women Soaring Pilots Association ]Frauke Elber , AND writer of the book book ” The tall man in the dark suit”, wrote as a comment in my blog ;“what a race in the 20m class. For me as a spectator on the computer it was a real nail biter” https://womensoaring.org/

Indeed , also for me this was the first time I was MORE interested in the 20 m than in open [my normal favourite because George always flew open class and so I got to know a lot of those pilots] or 18 m.
Of course it was special. Americans winning in the USA, ” over home soil”, a female pilot and an elderly [WITH HUGE RESPECT] gentleman, best ingredients to follow this class extra. I read that Karl is even 87 and not 86.
Also, because the differences in points were not big in this class, everything could happen on the last day.
Result; late night for me to see with my own eyes at 1.30 in the morning who were the sinners.

Some nice pictures shared by the Dutch team from 20 m- pilots congratulating each other.

And the winners of the open class

And the 18 m winners;

And last but not least the 20 m winners.

And one from Adam who on the last day went from 2 to 4; “I went & wished every 20m team on the grid, great decisions, climbs & energy lines before take off on the last day – seems they took my well wishes positively.“

In between some pilots and crews really worked hard and before having a CORONA , no not the bacteria but the well deserved beer, packed the container and finished it; doors closed and off to Holland again.

A last salute to the USA team, with TC Pete Alexandre, holding proudly the Stars and Stripes with Karl and Sarah. My friends Gary and Christine Cartner [involved in several important jobs during this WGC] are to the right.

“Well, the party’s over and “well done” by all, competitors, crews, tug pilots, organizers, ALL volunteers, businesses, and of course, the incredible folks who live in and around Uvalde! Team USA has made us so proud. Be sure to scroll through the posts and remarks. I’m sure we can all look forward to more thoughts and insights as our team (and others) make their safe way home and beyond. Thanks to them for the memories! USA Proud!” US Soaring Teams

And the last words are for John Good. I wrote, like him , sometimes sitting at the same table, [ as in Lake Keepit] at several comps and we both were TC at several comps as well. I value him/his writing high.

“We have two World Champions! At the 38th World Gliding Championship, Karl and Sarah today prevailed in the 20-Meter Multiseat class. They are the first US champions in an “unrestricted entry” World Gliding Championship since Doug Jacob’s 1985 victory in Rieti, Italy (37 years ago). Sarah is the first woman from any country ever to win at this level. Karl, at 87, is far and away the oldest-ever soaring world champion.
(As I read these words I’ve written, I’m thinking: “Did this really happen? Can these improbable-sounding statements actually be true? Well, yes, it did. Yes, they are.)
The flight they flew today to secure the championship was exactly what they needed. Over 10 days, their consistent flying had built a useful, but certainly not insurmountable lead. Their assignment on the 11th and last was to make another steady flight, aiming not to win the day but to reduce risk and achieve a total score that their rivals could not overtake. Weather was forecast to be good, but with a meaningful chance of vertical overdevelopment producing rain and even thunderstorms, said to be possible anywhere in the task area.
They started in the middle of the pack, with a number of good teams ahead to help mark the right route choices. They consistently found good climbs, stayed high and always out of trouble, preferring to stay with a few others rather than break away, seeking a few more points. On their way home from the final turn area, they took a thermal climb that probably wasn’t essential, but which bought “insurance” against possible bad air ahead, at the cost of delaying their finish by perhaps a minute. The result was 4th place for the day and a score of 922 points, which guaranteed the victory. As they crossed the finish ring, not all eyes were dry.
In 18-Meter class, the Germans dominated, Stefan Langer taking the gold medal by more than 200 points. Sean Fidler finished 10th (top-10 is the sign of an outstanding effort). Sean Murphy was 27th – he had to find a glider on short notice and struggled to adapt to it and its unfamiliar instrumentation.
In Open Class, the formidable German pair of Felipe Levin and Michael Sommer were at the top, hundreds of points ahead of the rest. Jim Lee managed a very commendable 6th; Keith Baugh, flying his first WGC in a “short-winger” (21 meters) was 12th.
Overall, the US Team performance was the best in a very long time. Full credit to Team Captain Pete Alexander, who has uncommon skills and just the right touch in a job that at times must feel like herding cats. US Team crews worked harder, longer and in tougher conditions than at essentially any other contest site (typically on the job around dawn and often not done until past sunset) and were consistently up to the challenge.
The WGC2024 closing ceremony [Has been of course] will take place tomorrow morning at 9:00 – the Star-Spangled Banner will be heard for the first time in 37 years. This is my final report.
John Good

Back to the regular blogs now on Wednesday.
It was ,as said pretty intensive to write every day about the JWGC in Ostrow, the EGC in Tabor and the WGC in Uvalde, so my hands and neck need “some tender and care”, but the off- season starts now till South Africa and Namibia “wake up” , as well as Australia and we are going to keep an eye on them.

Cheers Ritz.