First looking back on the last days and the prize giving.
When Margie and I left for Wodonga to visit our friend on a top of a hill , we also dropped in on the way back at Corowa airport.It turned out that Eagle and Willem traveled to Tocumwal whilst we were there, but we did not miss each other as you can see at the pictures. We even spoke with Francesco and Wim , Grietjes dad.
Fun in the hangar and at the golf club, on my last day, in Tocumwal with Arend, Willem, Jeroen, Margie Diana and me.
A bit later more fun , now in Kelly’s pub with Jill and Kait and Margie.
Prize giving in Benalla;
130 people attended and not everybody had booked ahead, most of the overseas pilots forgot or misunderstood, so they had to eat somewhere else or pizza’s.They ALL however attended the prize giving after dinner, no worries.
Lovely evening with lot’s of well known mates. Here you are,….. first of all the prize winners/new Aussie Champions.
Peter, Matthew and Bruce had ALL evening a smile on their faces.
Peter won 18 m. Bruce open and Matthew 15 m. class.
Beautiful set tables, enough prizes to make pilots happy and enough food too in and outside.
Happy couples.
GFA president Mandy and her husband and 18 m. CHAMPION Peter, Former GFA president Anita and her CHAMPION in open class And a happy David Jansen with his wife.
East Europe.
Zoltan from Hungary who was the pilot with the highest speed 160.54 km./h.and 26 year old Petr from Czech Rep. who flew in the past as tuggie with Sportaviation and now since 2 years in 737’s from Ryan Air.
The prize however was for an Australian pilot and Adam won both and found it a great privilege to win the Taylorr’s & Kauffmanns highest RAW ‘Speed Trophy’ by an Australian pilot; and the inaugural winner of the Bruce Brockhoff, Fastest Handicapped Speed Trophy!
Bruce , said a few words and Adam was clearly happy with the brand new prize; the Bruce Brockhoff-trophy.
More overseas pilots.
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The Swedish and Finnish pilots, The French and the Austrians.
Runners up!!
Andrew [open] Mac [15 m.] John “Butch” 18 m.
John was the most “unlucky” person of the evening, but still could smile. He just missed out at this stage [still preliminary] to represent Australia next year in Benalla;Tom had 79.172 over 2 years with 40% counting for the first year and 60 for this year and Butch 79.021.
By the way the preliminary , but nearly sure team representing Australia next year ;
15 m. Matthew and Stephen , 18 m. Peter and Tom and open Bruce and Andrew.
The YOUNG ONES.
Dylan[Lampard] team- flying up to high standard with Matthew during the JWGC now crewing for him, Matthew and Ben [Loxton] and Adam.
Guests from now and the past.
Lesley and Norm with Tom and Brian with Italian guest Thomas and Mark and Beryl.
Judy, Ingo and Scott and Jane and Tom from Temora.
Swaantje with her female crew and Lisa and David with Tony Tabart and Jo.
By the way, the STATE SHIELD was won by NSW with the pilots Bruce Taylor, Matthew Scutter and Tom Claffey.
Last but not least; Vickey with her beautiful daughter , recently a mum, so Vickey is a grandma now; They will be very busy with the WGC next year with Terry as CD.
Mum Vickey with 2d daughter Erin
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It was nice to catch up with Owe from Sweden and Antti from Finland at Tullamarine before Antti and I flew with former Sportavia tuggie Michael to Hong Kong, where the weather was pretty bad, and Owe went via Thailand home. I forgot that Owe was in the organizing team in Eskilstuna, where I was as well as competition journalist.
Home now , cold here and a tiny little bit of snow!!!!Tired, but what a great time I had!!!!
In Tocumwal, Narromine and Benalla, I caught up with many friends, what great people there are in soaring is n’t it?
Thanks to Jo, for making a happy picture from me as well. It was MY pleasure to keep you updated during my holiday in Australia.
Cheers Ritz