9 AM on Saturday;

Just received the compact information about yesterdays plenum from Rick. I love the way he can say a lot of things in just a few words. Where I need 10, he just only uses 2!!!
So here you go again,…”fresh from the press!”:

—“Good morning, Ritz!

We counted ourselves and found 35 countries represented (counting 4proxies).  Not a bad turnout.
On the first day of the meeting we received the annual reports from the  various Committees and Working Groups, and made one important decision.

We heard about the workings of the FAI office during the past year, and  we listened to reports  regarding the two recently completed World  Championships (six Champions) and  the 2012 OLC season (29.5 million kilometers flown).

There were presentations of bids for the 2016 World Championships by  Australia, UK, and  Lithuania.  The bid from Austria was withdrawn,  unfortunately, due to lack of  permission from the military to use the  airfield at
Wiener-Neustadt.

The big news is that we elected Eric Mozer to be our  President for the  next two years. Not a big surprise, but it was nice to make it official  after Eric’s very effective leadership during the past year  as Acting  President.

On Saturday, all the voting on bids, proposals, and awards will take  place.  It will be a busy day!

-Rick—”
More news from Rick later. He knows already how much I appreciate his input every year!!!!
THANKS RICK!!!!!

We, “the ladies”  are off early today ; Departure at 9.45 to visit the beautiful town of Arnhem. Same group today  as yesterday,  but Frouwke introduced me to a new lady from Luxembourg who arrived last night and she will be part of our international- shopping -tour through Arnhem as well.
We will be back in time, as at 6.30 sharp, the bus is leaving from Papendal to the airfield of Malden for a nice evening out as farewell to so many “old” and new friends.

CU later!

5 PM;
I only heard good things about the new president of the IGC. He did so well , that they voted for Eric again and he seems to run a meeting so efficient, that they finished at 3.30 already!!!!!
The- board -only , than had a meeting , but the 2013 PLENARY was over. With a smile from ear to ear Vitautas came out of the room. He got 2 WGC’s !!!
Benalla got the WGC and Terry could n’t hide a smile as well, though he mentioned it was all “close”  [ it turned out 17 for Benalla and 16 for Lasham!!!] but maybe the smile was because he was choosen as VICE PRESIDENT!!!!!!Good on you Terry!

All the rest will be in Rick’s news and I noticed on his list were a lot of decisions which have been  made.
It seems it was a GOOD meeting. As a Dutch person that makes me happy.
Just said goodbye to Dick Bradley and Brian Spreckley , they are on their way home , as is Vitautas and Laima, but they are going by car to Pocuinai. Long drive over 10 hours.

We had a lovely shopping day , but also bought things like boots, we did n’t need but were to good to let go for the price. Lunch was in a gorgeous old building in Arnhem town. Not the best food maybe , but a great setting and very kind people. My international friends were pleased with the way the Dutch treated them, even with a free ride in the bus!!!!

 

And Rick has completed his “job” and here is his very short summary of the decisions. Thanks Rick.

Summary of voting:
For implemention this year:
1. Mandatory FLARM at competitions
2. Flight Recorders recalibration interval: 5 years
3. No change to Free/Declared distance record rules

For implementation next year:
4. New start height limit rules
5. Start time reporting is deleted.
6. Turnpoint geometry changed in competitions
7. No change to
Finish Ring rules

Championships:
2016 WGC in Open, 18, 15:  Benalla
2016 WGC in Std, Club, 20: Pociunai
2015 WGC in 13.5: Pociunai

Awards:
Lilienthal: Bob Henderson (NZ)
Gehriger: Jaroslav Vach (CZ)
Majewska: Maria Bolla (HU)

Our new President is Eric Mozer (USA)

And our next meeting will be in Varese, Italy.
Rick

You are totally up to date , so I can start relaxing now!
My congratulations go to the Award Winners Bob, Jaroslav and Maria, very well deserved!
And to the countries winning the bids for the WGC in 2015 Pocuinai and 2016, Benalla and Pocuinai.

So off to Malden tonight by bus at 6.30.

CU tomorrow cheers Ritz