Post 1.467 on December 11 2023

“Today, Monday December 11th CD does not believe there is a viable and safe task option due to the ongoing heat wave. No flying today but team will be busy preparing for International Night tonight.”
As shared by team USA US Soaring Teams

Also smoke from the fires ,not that far away create hazy circumstances so that a good visibility could not be guaranteed, might be a reason. Temperatures however dropped from 42 to 37!!!
The messages from CD Michael Durrant

YESTERDAY’S OUTLANDINGS!!
It was a tough day yesterday specially for the club class pilots. Most of all I think for Thies ,as he had to withdrawn from the comps, but also for 8 other pilots who had to land “out”.
Landing options are not difficult down under, as paddocks are HUGE, but still you want to fly “home”.
Look at what field Tony landed in.

Another great paddock to land in , was found by Michael from N Z. He had such good practice in Australia earlier , won nearly every day and now he was just “out”. Such a pity!!!
“I flew the farthest distance in my class today, I was ripping up the sky for speed but I didn’t get home.Bollocks!A local fella passed by and when I asked where I was he proudly said I was ‘ miles from *#%?! everywhere!”
446 km!!!!!! for 517 points.
Diana was IN but the upload of her task created problems again hence no score yesterday for her. She was the last finisher [555 p] and Michael the first out-lander on the list.

All in all there were 8 out-landings in club, 4 in standard and unfortunately Simon was among them too …dropping overall from 3 to 8,…SAD and in 15 m only 1.

NO BRIEFING TODAY!!! So no pictures of daily winners. Tomorrow!

—–Nice ,interesting and honest but critical 8 minute interview with many-times-world-champion Sebastian Kawa with Sean Young on World Gliding Championship 2023

—–Adams view on the day was late so here it is for those who always read his stories
“Another pearla of a day, well, half of it was, plus the results, a second overall! The other half was crazy hot weather, blue & not so certain at the end of the day – but Tobias & I played our cards right & caught another podium” more on Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures

—–Preparations for the NIGHT are in full swing .
A Dutch delicacy is a Tompouce. Orange glaze over cake with vanilla pudding in it. YAMMIE. Aussies call it vanilla slice.

——Danish Gliding Team is preparing their Danish delicatessens as well.

More about the NIGHT of NIGHTS later !!.

Last but not least VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE; The super crew on the finishing runway.

CU later Ritz

UPDATED!!!!

They are TOO busy celebrating, eating ,drinking and talking…good way of socializing. So they should,..pictures tomorrow then. Here is already 1.

About the social part of our sport during word comps.
—–Here is; François Delfosse from team Belgium flying in 15 m class with Manu Litt.
At this moment Francois is on spot 12 overall and Manu on 19.
“Today is a rest day, so I have some time to give a quick update!
The start was a very nice flight under cumuli, flying to the south/west part with strong conditions. Going back to the North was challenging (blue, weak thermals, dumping water…). But the pair with Manu worked well, we could help each other out in turns:-). On the last leg we could use a nice confluence, unfortunately only for 20km…
But, what truly makes these flights possible is the incredible support I receive on the ground. A huge shoutout to Grant, who has been my wingman throughout the week. His dedication and unparalleled sense of service are the wind beneath my wings.
Also, a special thanks to Arnie [ Hartley a great guy and very technical specially with radio’s] and Grant for helping me fix my brake today – teamwork makes the dream work!”

—–Also the help after the incident with the ASW 20 by a broken tow-bar and gusting wind created help from every site. Even Uys was ready to repair whatever he could do. Pilots/crews/ organizers helped with ideas to even fly- in- parts or tried to find another ASW 20, but time ran out.
The solidarity between all people from 21 different countries is HUGE, that’s why I/we still like soaring so much.

Some pictures and stories I found on the net;

—–Talking about the German team, I was worried about Simon [Schroeder] yesterday. He landed at 7 , just before he could start the last leg. He decided to fly further in the first sector than his mates and had to fly the rest of the flight by himself. He had to fight nose- wind there were no clouds anymore and no lift. The German team had to go for their first retrieve, as an aero-tow retrieve was not possible.
A special event for them. Luckily Simon found a paddock with a farm and even more important one with a net to reach his mates . That’s if you go more inland important, as not every farm has that.
The crew left at 8 PM with the co-ordinates. It took them an hour over dark and lonely roads to be at the spot about 90 km out. Not too bad!
After arrival they noticed that the brakes of the trailer were hot. BUT,..they could still use it.
Whilst emptying the cockpit a little animal had hided at the wheel of the glider, they carefully helped him/her to leave. Then the de-rigging was easy.
It took them 3 hours to drive back, being extra careful for the brakes on the trailer.
Back at the field it was 1 in the morning, but the good news was NO BRIEFING and NO TASK for the next day.
These are parts of a translation from the in German written blog by Franziska Pawel. I like her style of writing, to the point and witty.
https://segelflug.aero/blog4/author/wmsc152023/?fbclid=IwAR2gRnOmNGaFCtWyA1avwECeblOJqeBsvYKQ0a-QKEXNKm2iVoCV-w9DEac

——-To finish here is Adam:
“The international night was a great success with really nice atmosphere & cheer surrounding one & all I have to start this post with a huge thank you to Allan & Katie Barnes, who took charge & came down from Keepit to help us. Massive thanks to my parents & all the other helpers to make this a fabulous night I was particularly excited & proud to serve my friends Kangaroo, which it’s been one of my dreams since my first Junior World’s in 2005!
Time for bed now, tomorrow should be another days racing“

—–Several teams are sharing their goodies;

CU tomorrow ONLY 4 days to go.
Ritz