Alphen aan den Rijn 03-12-2008
This is the blog from Jo and next you find the official press release by Kylie Dorsett. Look for results and more on
www.australianglidinggrandprix.com.au
briefing Comp Day 4 Wed 3 Dec 08
Australian Qualifying Gliding Grand Prix
Narromine, NSW, Australia
briefing Comp Day 4 Wed 3 Dec 08
Henk Meertens announced that the provisional double-seater winners for day 3 were Peter Summersby and Mal Bruce with 4 points, including a bonus point for being first at the first turnpoint; Mal and Peter also lead the class with 8 points.
There’s 1 second between the 2 leaders in 18m class – all traces will be reviewed during the day and the winner announced tomorrow morning.
Day 4 weather – Jenny Thompson reported that there is a trough to the north of the task area, making it a blue day. Associated with the trough will be some high cloud which is expected to recede during the day. Heights are expected to be around 8,000′ with average climbs around 5 knots. Overall, the day is very similar to yesterday, except a little weaker and lower. Yesterday was tough; today will be a bit tougher!
Day 4 task for 18m – Trangie, Warren, Collie, Eumungerie, Microwave – 207.7 km – one bonus point for first at Trangie.
Day 4 task for double-seater: Eumungerie, Trangie, Tomingley, Eumungerie, Microwave – 299.9 km – one bonus point for first at Eumungerie.
First launch 1300 hrs – estimated start gate opening 1400 hrs.
The Narromine News paper today features a front page story by Patrick Billings titled “World’s best gliders take to the sky” with a colour photo of Old Bill Hatfield (BH) finishing in his Lak 17A. Part of the item reads: “…..Sunday’s first day of competition was dominated by the international set but Monday was an all-Aussie affair…..
“Former world champion Joe Brigliadori, who won the title in 1985 and is here to watch his son Riccardo compete, said the ability to make high-pressure decisions was the key to success. “It is not about instinct, it is about intuition which is a product of experience…. Gliding is the sport for managers. The market is the sky, thermals are offering opportunity and the gliders are like your business competitors”.
“….. Not only are Narromine’s vast, flat plains ideal for the sport but the current wheat harvest is proving to be a benefit as the brown paddocks release the hot air pilots seek.”
(blog by Jo Pocklington)
correction – Leo Brigliadori, not Joe – the newspaper got it wrong and I just copied it!
Australian Qualifying Gliding Grand Prix
Narromine, NSW, Australia
4.30pm Comp Day 4 Wed 3 Dec 08
The first nine finishers (not in order) were John Buchanan, Brad Edwards, Graham Parker, Hank Kauffmann, Terry Cubley, Mac Ichikawa, Lars Zehnder, Michael Sommer and ??? (dodgy radios!).
Terry Cubley reported that the weather on track was “a bit better than predicted; I averaged 5.5 knot climbs. I didn’t get above about 6,000′ but some were getting higher. There were a few gaggles today – they didn’t stick together for long, but were constantly reforming.”
(blog by Jo Pocklington)
Press release by Kylie Dorsett
Day 3 saw a balance of Nationals and Internationals on the leader board. With one second between Italian Riccardo Brigladori and Australian Graham Parker, First place is still in question as the referees check the flight logs. German Michael Sommer was a close 30 seconds behind.
The overall leader board holds 3 pilots in first place: Michael Sommer, Graham Parker and David Jansen. Todays task of 207km may seperate the three for a clear winner. All public is welcome to watch the race on the Spot live tracking system at the Narromine Aero Club Auditorium from 2:30pm today.