Post 1.442 on Sunday August 20 2023

Every year I try to visit that great airfield, not far from where I live, just over the border in Belgium The Keiheuvel. The kindest people and always a top atmosphere. I visit them since the 70thies.
That was obvious as more pilots than the 50 allowed wanted to enter .
On Saturday the “nice” weather just started too late for the comps. Some flew but the base was low after rain in the morning. But 2 former JWGC pilots, Robin from The Netherlands and Jeroen from Belgium [Keiheuvel] had a nice flight, but indeed the base was too low to send all 53 up.
The BBQ in the evening was busy and most of them had their tent/caravan at the camping area along side the club house, so if necessary crews could “roll “home.

On Sunday my brother and I arrived early at the field. Briefing was postponed to 10.30, so time enough to catch up with “mates”.

So many pilots that the tables , normally in this briefingroom did n’t fit in.

Party time first as CD Robbie celebrated his birthday with lots of pies for every body who wanted. The happy birthday song was loud.

Tasks were presented, gliders without a transponder cannot fly in The Netherlands so they stayed in Belgium, the other ones flew trough Belgium and The Netherlands .
3 classes; friendly with 13 pilots/teams and 142 km , Sportclass XPDR with 16 pilots had to go 250 km and open XPDR [ 23 pilots/teams] with 300 km.

Waiting at the field before start means time to catch up. This is Tim Huybreckx and Tijl Schmelzer, local pilots. Certainly when it’s still VERY BLUE!!! Tijl flew and was 9th in open his dad Bert sr was on 8.

First starts would be around 12, but it stayed very blue for a while, so it was waiting till 12.45. Clouds had popped up everywhere and the first gliders were in no time over 1200 m.
In between 5 tugs were ready to help all pilots quickly up in the air . I noticed the Keiheuvel Scout , flown by Pieter, a Husky, a Robin and a Pawney, the other one I missed.

It felt for a moment like in Australia; hot and bothered. 35 dgr.C, no wind but great clouds, more and more .

“Little” Leon , not so little anymore ,son from Gitte and Jeff , 11 already, was going to fly with uncle Eddy [Huybreckx] in the backseat. His first competition and he was pleased and proud. So he should….In a few years we will see him flying by himself!! Years ago this happened with ‘Little’ Jeroen, who flew over the last years the JWGC .

And a lot of young Dutch pilots , from several clubs were having fun under a wing , to have at least a bit of shade ,whilst waiting for their start. Some fly in 2-seaters as team Jelmer Vis/ Faber, team Robin Smit/Kyra Versteege, Team Robbie Seton & Klunder Nijland and Team  Aldridge & Sietske Bakker.
Jelmer, Robin and Robbie ALL flew JWGC’s in the past.

I walked back from the field to the club house for a cool drink before having lunch in The KEI, the restaurant from Chrisje and Rudy [Jeroens parents] . I was a bit unlucky as the door handle of the toilet in the clubhouse , was on the ground and NOT on/in the door.
For 15 minutes I was locked in making noise ,banging with that loose door handle on the door. As it was hot there , I shouted out loud too to get somebody’s attention and indeed after 15 minutes the kind lady of the bar opened the door and led me out. I was very grateful.

No worries,… on my way to the restaurant I noticed still the last gliders behind the tugs. AND, high circling other gliders in the air. But it was also time to go home again. So I had to miss the finishes, which is a pity but I knew that I could see the results on www.soaringspot.com.
A glorious soaring day, BUT let’s wait if that shows in the results.

The prize giving would be at 7 PM. Don’t know if that still happened .
In the end the day was not that glorious as several pilots out-landed.
But here are the PRELIMINARY scores from the Keiheuvel Cup.

Friendly class; 142.02 km …..was won by Eddy Huybreckx and his 11 year old nephew Leon [See picture above] GREAT result for both!!!! Together they must have got EXTRA wings. Anyhow as a local , Eddy started last [about 25 minutes later]and passed them all to be back after 1 hour and 56 minutes;speed 73.35 km./h. 2 KA6 E gliders started and finished together and both were runner up!
In the end 9 started and 6 finished.

Sport class with transponder; 250.88 km…… Dutch pilot Roelof Corporaal, who just won Bailleau, won the Keiheuvel Cup as well. In his LS 7 he flew with a speed of 94.18 km./h. Good on him.
Runner up Robin Selfslagh [B] with 791 points and Tim Kremers [Neth] was 3d
15 started and 6 were out.

Open class with transponder; 300 km.…Team  Bielen & Snyers in an ARCUS won the day with a speed of 93.29 km./h . They “got” 1000 points and 995 points were for Robin and Kyra in the Duo Discus XLT.
From 22 only 10 finished.

Another HOT, but very nice visit to many of my Belgium mates at Keiheuvel Airport. It was interesting to see that more Belgian pilots attend this competition nowadays. In the past it was about half Dutch now there were only 9!
SO…..another ‘Keiheuvel SPECIAL’.
AND…..Where would we be without the tuggies;

EXTRA NOTE:AND,……a bit more about the KEIHEUVEL; I asked last Sunday how many times this Keiheuvel CUP has been flown. At that stage they did not know. Bert Schmelzer sr. investigated this matter together with Stijn Jansen, who was for many years the CD of this “CUP” and the first one was in 2007. Before they had a full week. I remember as both Dennis and George flew there ,as well as Gerrit Kurstjens and Kees Musters. That was before 1987 as Kees and Dennis passed away in December 1987 and January 1988.
So there is a LONG history of flying at the Keiheuvel.
En passant Bert sr mentioned that in 2007 his son Bert jr. got the ” Albert Schmelzer junior Trophy “…a memory on his dad . The award was handed over to Bert jr. by his grand ma . In 2014 Bert jr became WORLD CHAMPION in standard class in Rayskala .
AND..during “the 8 days” in 2002 it was the new CD Robbie Seton, who got that prize .
As said before, there is a huge history at Keiheuvel, on the Schmelzer and Huybreckx familiesas well.
CU on Wednesday again.

Cheers Ritz

Post 1.441 on Wednesday August 16 2023

Summer is nearly over and after a great start and BAD “middle” ,we have a good end on this 2023 summer. Maybe not fantastic soaring weather, but dry sunny and warm again, up to 30 dgr C this weekend.
I did a lot of writing about all important comps .
I missed however a picture on the 3 young ones from the Czech Rep who won the Standard class in Denmark at the JEGC. I found one and here you are ……3 happy young pilots!!!
Hopefully I “find” the club class as well.

Jens Trabolt   wrote in his Nordic Gliding Magazine about the JEGC and here is the link; https://nordicgliding-com.translate.goog/junior-em…/…

So now it’s back to the “normal” procedures though this upcoming weekend I will be as always at the KEIHEUVEL, for their competition.
First to LASHAM!!!

—–In between the LASHAM REGIONALS [5 August 2023 – 13 August 2023] are over and who not participated in the EGC , was flying there in a “red” or “bleu” class.
In “red” 31 pilots flew and in “blue” 16 , so another busy competition at that beautiful BIG field.
“RED” flew 6 out of 9 days with tasks from 248 km, 3.30 AAT, 353 km, 123,86 km and 162 and 105 km.
Quite a few “names” I met at comps, but did not see during the last years, as Dave Watt, IanMacarthur, and Leigh Wells who flew HC and is Lizzy’s brother.[in Amsterdam last weekend]
Steve Pozerskis in ASG 29, won this class with 4,079 points.

“Blue” flew 1 day less and started with a 192.75 km task flown by only 2 pilots, George Downing in ASW 20 and Tim Milner in his LS 3; 75 km./h ,so a tough day. Then a task from 307 km, 258.91 km, 105.50 [with only Tim as finisher] 92,88 km [only Oliver Barter [LS8] as finisher.]
Final scores;
Red; Blue;
1. Steve Pozerskis in ASG29e with 4,079 points. 1. Tim Milner in LS 3 with 3,126 points
2. Ken Barker in JS1C with 4.004 p 2. Jordan Johnson in ASW 20 with 2,922 p.
3. Ian Macarthur in JS 1b with 3,699 p. 3. George Downing in ASW 20 with 2,782 p.

The LASHAM org. finished with :
“We will see you next year for the UK 18 and 20m National Championships, 25th May-4th June 2024.“

——-USA 18m NATIONALS and UVALDE GLIDE [14 August 2023 – 25 August 2023] with 3 classes and 41 competitors.
Bruce is there and Adam and both are good bloggers ,so I refer to them in my blogs!
Adam wrote already after his arrival with Pasi from Finland.
“Pasi & I have arrived into Uvalde, but not without seeing the blue & reds just 40 miles out of town!
We enjoyed a nice journey, always amazed at how quickly the countryside or views changed, always greeted with nice locals.
Time for a shower & our first visit to a Texan steakhouse.” Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures
So did Bruce;
“After six years away, here I am back in Uvalde, Texas… and it’s still just as hot as it always was! This is the official pre-worlds for 18m, Open and 20m two-seat classes for next year, as well as the US 18m nationals to select their own team for the worlds. Adam Woolley and his Finnish mate Pasi are here too, but there are very few other internationals turning up which is a bit of a shame.
As with many previous visits, I am borrowing a glider from my friend Jim Staniforth, this time it is his ASH31Mi, which is in great shape. (Very) early this morning I crawled out to the airfield to get it rigged, before the sun got too high. I put on the 21m wings today, and might fly with the 18m tips tomorrow. Then I’ll decide which span I prefer.” much more in Taylor’s Gliding Page

The first practice day was ” Blue” :
“First official practice day today, and it was not a bad one at all. The forecast was for mostly blue conditions as per yesterday, but except for a short distance in our northern leg there were some nice Texan cus. Especially down to the south it was very nice with some buoyant glides and stronger climbs. We had a 2.5 hour Assigned Area Task which was short for the weather we got, but basically it was just a day for pilots and organisers to go through the motions to make sure everything is working.” for more Taylor’s Gliding Page
and
“This is what they consider a blue Uvalde day, absolutely awesome, hope we get many more & naturally, so glad I came!” for more Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures

More next Wednesday, the last practice day is over and you can read the news on both blogs.
Greetings via both from Eric “Herbie” Moser, that was nice!.

———The CCR [Coppa Citta di Rieti ] flown between 13 August 2023 – 22 August 2023, counts 17 pilots in the mixed class and 19 in open, from Italy, Spain, The UK, Austria ,Germany and Switzerland. Mostly very experienced mountain pilots.
Task 1 in the mixed class was a 2.45 AAT won by Federico Montanini in a Ventus 2ax; 357.57 km., speed 132.04 km./h.
17 Started and 3 were out.
Task 2 a 2.40 AAT was yesterday and won by team Alberto Sironi/ Venturini in the ARCUS T; 364.11 km ,speed 136.43 km./h.
17 started and 16 finished.

Task 1 in open was a 2.50 AAT, won by Jon Gatfield from the UK; 407.92 km ., speed 140 73 km./h.
19 started and 1 was out. Jon is a very open , thoughtful , very experienced and concerned glider pilot, so I share his news to alert pilots when they fly the glider, just to warn you;
“BEWARE: twice now I have had a potentially serious situation with the air brakes. If opened at high speed (100kts or more) they can jerk out and cause one of the 4 paddles to overlap another. You then cannot close the brakes.
I’ve got away with it twice now but the last incident was a real heart stopper on finals to Rieti. 55kts over the fence – just. The previous at Sisteron required an “S” turn approach.
Be aware too that because the brakes are out the wheel brake will be on and likely cause the nose to scrape the ground. Mine needs repainting for sure.
I have alerted the UK agent who has told Schleicher but I haven’t seen an AD yet and one is definitely needed.
In the meantime- be aware and take care!“
Task 2; 396.15 km…..good day for Austrian pilot Christian Hynek in the EB 29DR; 148.60 km/h. Not bad as the runner up had 139.07 km./h. Convergence lines over the Apennines created great speed.
19 started and 3 were out

More next week.

—–For my Dutch readers;

And to finish this news I read and I can only agree with it from
Michael Price
“Can’t believe how good a multi-tasker Matthew Scutter is!  Helping us all have more fun with his Skysight, great competition pilot as he showed at Rieti, in the middle of the night when the other competitors are fast asleep he’s supporting the Perlan team conquer the Polar Vortex, I send him an insignificant Skysight email during all of this and he answers anyway, what an amazing gift to our sport!!  Hopefully he will take a nap on his way home from Italy  Well done Matthew!!”

CU next week
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.440 on Sunday August 13 2023.

Dutch National Junior Championship
Venlo 5 August 2023 – 12 August 2023

Yesterday was the last day from the Junior National championship flown from the beautiful field of Venlo, where nowadays the Club from Venlo and Eindhoven co-operate in the best harmony after the Eindhovense Aeroclub had to leave their field due to airliner business ; VEZC
They flew in one class and started with 2 non-flying-days, but after that the weather was OK .
All tasks were just under or over 100 km .Task 6 however was a 3 hour AAT and won by Emily Nagelkerke; 192 km with 64 km /h in Discus A. Good on her!!!
I traveled with my grand daughter Indya on Friday morning to Venlo, to be at the briefing at 10.

We caught up with Sophie. She is from Malden and had no plan to fly the Junior Nationals . She met at the club from Malden George and Diana . They asked her about her participation . When they heard she had no glider they offered her their LS1f and here she is flying and doing well at Venlo. She was 6th from 18!!

We also caught up with some of the older members from Venlo I know, who kept an eye on things , but the whole competition was organized by young ones!!!
Indya’s friends, twins Luuk and Tijs from the Gelderse,[ by the way they continue their summer camp today ] participated for the first time and did well with a 5th and 8th spot overall.

The scouts for the day were presented and they were good ones; Robin Smit JWGC silver in Narromine and in the Duo Discus 2 former top JWGC juniors Simon and Maurits.

The last day started with rain but turned out flyable later. With a start at 16.43 Wouter and Luuk reached 83 km.for 16 and 15 points. They were the only finishers Wouter at 18.25 and Luuk at 19.10.

Overall scores ;
1. Wouter Bakker from the Amsterdamse in ASW 20 with 1,057 points.
2. Boris Ariës from the ACS in LS4 with 1,016 points
3. Emily Nagelkerke from VEZC in Discus A with 973 points.

Nice to have been at Venlo again, where I started my soaring life in 1967. Then I slept in the bush in a tent behind the old hangar , yesterday Indya did so too as she visited the end party.
History repeats, nice!
So far the Dutch Junior Nationals.

——-The EJGC in Denmark was more or less spoiled by rain due to storm “HANS”, but they had fun anyhow! The Dutch had 2x a spot 6 and were runner up for the TEAM CUP,[877.38], behind the Czech Rep[887.58] but before the UK.[860.75]

—–Steven Raimond; has been for many,many years a Dutch top pilot representing The Netherlands at EGC ‘s and WGC’s. This Polish EGC was his last “performance’ on this high level. He was in “my team” several times and I truly enjoyed the company from him and his Marion, the best crew in the world.
He became European Champion in Rayskala in 2005 and I was there as steward that year!
By the way, Pete Harvey won in 2005 too in open . He was now runner up in the 2-seater class.

—–This picture is from the EGC in Poland with a true friendship between the Belgian and Dutch pilots/crews. A competition is ALL ABOUT FAIR-PLAY and friendship!!!!!

——–More longtime soaring friendship as shared by Lizzy Wells;
“Inge and I first met at the gliding pre-worlds at Rieti in 1984.
Then, catching up again in Uvalde in 1991 we plotted a travel adventure together through NZ and Australia – finalising plans by letter (no Internet, email or mobiles back then!).
And travel we did, staying with so many amazing people along the way.

So catching up with Inge this week, nearly 40 years from our first meet, was really special – but WAY too short ….… here’s to a follow up very soon “

The Oakley family , Mike and Kate, was in Amsterdam as well. Mike was TC in Benalla in 1987 when I remember well. We all met in that year too.

—–In between the Soaring Society of America shared the next news:
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Sports Class Nationals: 3rd Place – Robin Clark (RF); 2nd Place – Danny Sorenson (DS); 1st Place – Gary Ittner (P7).”
All results on ;
https://members.ssa.org/ContestResults.asp?contestId=2545&ContestDetailId=30216&ContestName=2023+Sports+Class+Nationals&ContestDate=8/11/2023&ResultsUpdate=True

——–Some more EGC pictures.

AND, the French team

More than enough news and pictures!
Cu you on Wednesday for the regular blog.
cheers Ritz

Post 1.439 on Saturday August 12 2023.

21st FAI EUROPEAN GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Leszno Strzyzewi, Poland
26 July 2023 – 11 August 2023

Only 3 days to go so we quickly look what happened.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9; task 6 in 18 m and 7 in open and the 2-seater class. Another late start due to changes in tasks and “fiddling around”. At 9 in the morning it was still raining and completely overcast. At the briefing at 11, they set rather big tasks which were down seized several times to get to a D task which was smaller. Indeed, it did not look too bad.
“EGC2023
Contest Day 11 – Task D – Yes TASK D!
Short-ish racing tasks today for all three classes into a reducing Wx window.1st launch confirmed for 1435L hrs. 18M are first to go followed by Open and then 20M.” British Gliding Team

18 m; Task 6…..251.77 km….and a good day for Peter Millenaar, who won with a speed of 122.75 km./h ahead of Lucasz W and Sebastian.[120 km./h]both of course from Poland.
All 36 were eager to start and 2 were “out”.
open; Task 7….255.54 km…Both UK pilots Tim and Andy flew around with 125 km./h on the “clock” after a rather early start. Tim won the day.
All 15 started and finished…GOOD!!!!
2 seaters; Task 7…. 228.64 km..during the days 1 Arcus was damaged during start on the ailerons and 1 during landing on the undercarriage. So 20 left. And those 20 flew and finished!
Daily winners Philippe de Pechy and Louis Bouderlique.
Late starts just before 4 PM and finished after 6 PM, the last ones in the Duo Discus and Twin Shark at 6.42 and 6. 48.

THURSDAY AUGUST 10; another good day! SO happy for the organizers and pilots /crews. Waking up at such a sky……AND,…the first hot day…..
Base around 1700 m and first estimated launch at 10.45.
Sniffer for the day was well known glider pilot Lasse Virtanen from Finland.
Only ONE more day to go!!!!!

18m class; Task 7…503.43 km…it looks that the first 4 overall before the start today , have the most chance to become European Champion. The difference between Lucasz W, Sebastian , Peter and Lucasz G is just over 30 points, so this 500 is very IMPORTANT!!!!!
What happened today as a big task can change a lot?
2 km /h faster than the rest gave a day-win for Russell Cheetham; 130.56 km./h!!!
More important was the runner-up-spot from Peter and the 15th spot from Lucasz W and Sebastian. They moved behind Peter to spot 2 and 3 overall. NO no I know it ain’ t over yet!!!!
But Peter moved to spot 1 now. Not a lot of points difference; Peter 4.892 and Lucasz 4.836.
open; Task 8….501.60 km….the first 4 overall have at the start today over 4000 points and the difference between them is possible/bridgeable ; Markus on 1 has 4.222 points, but Tomasz Rubaj [4.137] , Sylvain [4.073] and Francois [ 4.063] are close.
David Mach and Sylvain Gerbaud were the best for 1000 and 988 points. Francois started late and lost 180 points, a pity! Dropped from 4 to 5.

2-seaters; Task 8 ….467.81 km…..9 teams who are still in the race in my opinion …..It’s Finish team Juha Sorri/ Kettunen on top overall at this stage; 4.558 p. UK pilots Pete Harvey /Dawes follow with 4.444 p and the other UK team Gary Coppin/Steve Jones are on 3 with 4.362. All in ARCUS M.
Who will be the best on this longish 467 km race???
Speed between 124.30 km./h for winners Müller & Hörber [call sign HLB] AND Ørskov & Mix both with equal 1000 points and 103.76 for the last finishers. Unfortunately those were the Belgian pilots dropping now from 5 to 9. Whilst HLB moved up from 9 to 6.
Kettunen & Sorri were on a daily spot 6 only loosing 50 points.

None of the pilots out landed.Perfect!!!! A male might say,” the task was too easy”, a female is happy with everybody home.

FRIDAY AUGUST 11. ….VERY LAST DAY!!!! AND,…another 500 km race,a nice big task to define the new European 18m. Champion.
18m. Task 8.…501.40 km; Of course the 3 -Polish- pilots -tactic would be to try to finish on the first 3 spots with a “coup” to “remove” Dutch Peter from spot 1. Sebastian and Lucasz G. left at 13.02 and Lucasz W. 4 minutes later.Peter started at 12.52.
They partly succeed in their plan ,but on this last day Łukasz Wójcik won and was sure of EGC GOLD.
Sebastian was on 3 and Lucasz G on spot 32!
Peter on spot 11 loosing 88 points on Lucasz which was just enough to be vice EGC CHAMPION.

EGC 18m class CHAMPIONS;
1. Łukasz Wójcik from Poland in Ventus 3T with 5,836 points.
2. Peter Millenaar from The Netherlands in JS 3RES with 5,804 p.
3. Sebastian Kawa from Poland in VENTUS 3T with 5,794 p.

Open class;Task 9….511.79 km
Markus Frank won the day with 118.70 km./h. Francois was runner up,with ONE point less and Oliver Binder number 3. Markus consolidated his GOLD medal, so no changes in the top 3 overall

EGC CHAMPIONS in open class;
1. Markus Frank from Germany in EB 29R with 5,178 points.
2. Sylvain Gerbaud from France in EB 29R with 5,071 p.
3. Tomasz Rubaj from Poland in JS1C with 5,024 p.

2-seater class on this last day:
Task 9 ;476.02 km
Borgmann & Wolff were the best , they won 2 days and fought themselves during this competition from spot 21 on day 1 to 4 on the last day, I call that GREAT PROGRESSION !! Italian team Riciardo and Davide followed. Pete Harvey and his mate were on an equal spot 3 with the German team Müller & Hörber.
The Finish number 1 Kettunen & Sorri overall before this day, were on spot 11 ouch , but with 150 points less that was just no disaster for them. They stayed TWO POINTS AHEAD!!!

Here are the final EGC scores for 2 seaters;
1. Simo Kettunen & Juha Sorri from Finland in ARCUS M with 6,358 points pffff…..
2. Harvey & Dawes from the UK in ARCUS M with 6,356 p. pffff….
3. Coppin & Jones from the UK in ARCUS M with 6,196 p.

The Dutch team won the TEAM PRIZE!!! TOP JOB Guy’s.

———————————————————

6th FAI FAI JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Svæveflyvecenter Arnborg, Denmark
29 July 2023 – 12 August 2023

Still NO FLYING in Arnborg on Wednesday day 11, due to that “bloody” storm HANS!!!
On the JEGC site was written:” Storm Hans is weakening but today is still cancelled. Thermals are getting spread by the remaining strong wind blowing at 18 KT on surface and 32 KT at 900m AGL.
Our local weather specialist Niels Thomsen is already analyzing the first forecast models for tomorrow, let´s get a sight into his work.”

http://termikudsigten.dk:

At least some fun in the evening as they have their “Danish National Event'”

Thursday August 10 and 1 more days to go, which was NOT flown no task 7.
THEY FLY!!!!! Still 25 km./h wind at flying height but after so long , a bit of flying will push adrenaline in the veins from the young ones again.
Competition day 12 , flying day 4 and only 3 days to go including today.
Club class; Task 6….2.30 AAT.…with distances between 277 and 280 km 1 Hungaryan and 3 French pilots were the daily best.On ,..what they then DID NOT KNOW, this last day [task 7 was cancelled] of this by weather dominated JWCG. Their speed; between 109 and 113 km./h.
All 36 started and finished which must have given all of them a good feeling. Maybe not so much for Toby as he missed out somewhere during these days on ONE point to win!!!
Toby was 17th for the day [725 points] and Kim 21st.[682 p] Kim was 44 points overall ahead on Toby before starting the last day.PFffffff…….so close!

JWGC CLUB class champions;
1. Kim Toppari from Finland in LS7 with 2,823 points.
2. Toby Freeland from the UK in ASW 20 with 2,822 p
3. Alexandre Fierain from France in ASW20 with 2,773 p

Standard class; Task 6….2.30 AAT...6 in this class flew around 288 km with speed between 112 and 113 km./h. After task 3 the Czech pilots took over the overall spots from the Danish boys.
Not really enough tasks to show how good everybody REALLY was.

JWGC STANDARD class CHAMPIONS; after only 4 out of 14 days [including 1 rest day];
1. Lukáš Kríž from Czech Rep in LS8a with 2,878 points.
2. Jaromír Macoun from Czech Rep. in LS 8 with 2,793 p.
3.  Michaela Rendlova from Czech rep in LS 8 with 2,769 p.
The Danish boys Lasse Edslev and Jacob Bøgelund Lassen in LS 8 NEO and Discus 2A stayed close with 2,723 and 2,655 p, whilst young Dutch pilot  Niels van Nieuwland really did well on spot 6 with ONLY 3 points less than Jacob.

The Dutch team was runner up for the TEAM CUP behind the Czech Rep.
Not too many days they surely hoped for more but when I look at pictures and read stories the atmosphere was good and so to see, many new friendships have been started!

———————————————————————-

C.I.M. in Italy
Rieti 1 August 2023 – 11 August 2023

Another busy day in the office on August 9 with task 7, with a 450.86 km race and Matthew really got the hang of flying in Rieti. With 144.70 km./h he raced over the track and even had time to make a picture from the Grand Sasso!! In the end he was grateful” to Jon Gatfield, Ben Flewett and Katrin Senne who babysat me for the first few days until I got the hang of it.“
24 started and 1 was out in open class.
In the mixed class, it was Pirker/Pirker again with a daily win. A pity they were out on task 4, loosing more than 500 points, a pity.

August 10 task 8;
Open class…..3.15 AAT...2 Swiss pilots topped the daily list; Stefan and Felix and they moved up overall to spot 2 and 3 with Matthew,who was 4th for the day, still on spot 1. Only 1 day to go!

Mixed class on task 8; 2.50 AAT...Dal Grande & Raffaelli in their ARCUS M won the day with a distance of 358.36 km ,speed 126.48 km./h. That was quite a bit faster than Thomas [Gostner] and Stefano[Ghiorzo] mostly flying together ; 115 km./h for Thomas and 114 for Stefano.
22 started and 9 were out among them Pirker/Pirker. An UP and DOWN competition for them.

Friday August 11; LAST DAY!!!! 9 out of 10 possible days. Not bad!
Open ; Task 9; with Matthew as he is there.”We had a forecast for the trickiest day of the competition, with spreadout and storms combined with little to no wind on the ridges.
All I had to do was go around the task roughly in proximity to the two Swiss pilots, and for most of the task managed to do that, but I was a bit nervous about them pushing too hard at the end and turned home early, which got me a day and overall win!”Matthew Scutter’s Gliding more to be read there.
So he won the day with 133 km./h just ahead of 1 of the Danish pilots in the EB and Katrin Senne in her JS 3.
On this last day 24 started and 5 were out, 1 of them Jon from the UK who was on spot 4 overall and dropped to 5.

Open class winners;
1. Matthew Scutter from Australia in JS3/18m RES with 8,129 points.
2. Stefan Sidler from Switzerland in ASG 29E with 7,764 p.
3.  Felix Schneebeli from Switzerland in Ventus 3TP/18 m with 7,700
On spot 4 was Giorgio with 7.400 p.

mixed ; Task 9 2.45 AAT….354 km was flown by Thomas Gostner and with that he won the last day. Speed;127.38 km./h.
21 started and 3 were out.
As Matthew mentioned about flying in Rieti I could partly agree;” Rieti is often characterised as a very difficult or dangerous site – I think that is probably true in club class or standard class gliders, but 18m+ performance makes it quite relaxed.”
You have to have flown there before you fly a competition, knowledge and info from others HELPS!!
The mountains can be very unforgiving.
But Rieti is also beautiful/magic I liked it there.

Mixed class winners .
1. Team Leutenegger & Rüegg from Switzerland in ARCUS T with 7,965 points.
2. Team Flewett from the UK in ARCUS M with 7,868 p
3. Thomas Gostner from Italy in Ventus 3T/15 m. with 7,652 p.
Pirker/Pirker were 7th.

Congratulations to ALL

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—–In between INTERNATIONAL Bailleau 2023 is over . They finished yesterday after 4 flown tasks out of 11 days.
In the “LONG FLIGHTS CLASS” 22 pilots tried hard to win, among them 12 Dutch pilots.
Bailleau is a loved competition destination for the Dutch.
You would expect that a dutch pilot might be a winner, when there are so many, but you STILL have to fly the competition.
In the end they did and had a number 1 and 2 , with Hadriaan van Hes [WGC pilot] with 3,431 points. Ronald Kaay was runner up with 2,949 points just 6 more than French pilot Eric Garnier on spot 3.

In the ” SPEED CLASS ” 37 pilots and 8 are Dutch [among them 4 teams x 2]. Also here a Dutch champion who is in The Netherlands already well-known for his good flights and still pretty young ; Roelof Corporaal in LS 7WL. Ronald son Noud was 8th in this class.[LS8/15m]

In the AMICAL CLASS[friendly one for beginners] 7 participants only 1 Dutch , but 4 from Belgium[ among them 1 DuoDiscus] Also 4 tasks in this class and the winner was Antoine Daiwaille in a Pegase, [1.243 points] followed by Dutch pilot Matthijs de Graaf in LS4b.[1.213 p]

—- The Dutch juniors flew in Venlo between August 5 and 12.Quite a few as 18 had entered!!!GOOD!!!
Here they are;

I visited them and will have a SPECIAL on this competition tomorrow!

—–More about the LASHAM REGIONALS [5 August 2023 – 13 August 2023] with 48 pilots on Wednesday cause they still fly .

CU tomorrow again,my fingers “hurt” ,though the young ones are important and I hope to have a few more pictures and maybe quotes from the last comps.
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.438 on Wednesday August 9 2023

We can’t change the weather we have to deal with it, but as bad as in parts of Europe , last week in SUMMER, is extraordinary. Holiday makers had to flee from parts of Austria, Northern Italy, Slovenia [very bad] and Croatia. Several people even died due to landslides and heavy flooding. NOT GOOD!!!!!Terrible!

Here in the Netherlands we had the wettest [55 mm] and coldest August 6 with 15.8 dgr C.
Mind you STILL SUMMER HERE!!!!
ONE bright spot for us here. “Our” Mathieu van der Poel won the WORLD-championship for elite-cyclists, even after a hard fall in the last round, due to the slippery road in Glasgow . He made us all warm.

Let’s continue with the comps in Poland, Denmark and Italy, where they have at least nice soaring-weather.

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21st FAI European GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Leszno Strzyzewi, Poland,
26 July 2023 – 11 August 2023

The expectation was for a few wet days .The organizers mentioned ;
“It’s a rainy Sunday at Lotnisko Leszno. Pilots don’t compete today. We have an International Day and we play board games. That’s all we can do “
The Belgian team about this evening:
“Yesterday, all the competing teams participated in a very fun international evening. From Dutch cheese and peas soup, French wine, English Pims, Slovakian cola, amazing Italian pasta, fresh japanese sushi and a lot of other national treats, we enjoyed a real culinary experience. The Belgian waffles were once again a success and were completely sold out at 10pm. Some people have danced the night away, but all of the Belgian pilots were good and went to bed early. “
Time also to make/share nice pictures. I was very pleased with these ones, as I was Erik’s TC then in Borlange; also a very wet “happening”.

But then the new week started and,….yes a task.

Monday August 7 task 5 from 11 till now, small but you never know….. What I know is that the field and the areas around it are very wet.
“They are expecting a small Wx window with a strong Westerly; no task yet but let’s see what they come up with!” British Gliding Team 
Wind at height 50 km./h. Cloud base 1000 m in that window, later more clouds , a lower base and rain.
Expected first start at 12.30.

18m; 1.30 AAT….cancelled at briefing. But the 2 pilots Steven and Peter helped TC Baer with his job, mainly looking at the meteo. Not that he needed that but a good group- spirit is IMPORTANT.

Open; 1.30 AAT….direction East……The UK mentioned ;”After the 18M task was cancelled, we weren’t sure that any task group would leave the airfield today as the forecast was predicting showers and strong westerly winds. AATs of 1:30 hrs duration for 20M and Open Class were set and launching commenced at 1230 hrs.”
They FLEW!!!!! BUT, only 4 from 15 finished in open. Francois won his 2d consecutive day! 170 km. in time 2.07 speed 80 km./h. You ONLY do this during a comp! GOOD on him! He won the bottle and might have needed the contents, after this flight.
Andy was runner up for 270 points, Markus 3d for 266 points and a UK mate from Andy, Tim was 4th with 249 points.
“We lost coverage fairly early on and so were pleasantly surprised when 80 appeared to be running along a storm front into wind at about 100+ knots up against (remaining outside obvs!) the Poznan TMA. I had only just radioed that we had an Open Class finisher and Andy responded by saying that he was On Glide for home followed 20 minutes later by Tim in TJ. Second and fourth for the day; not a bad day in the office methinks.” British Gliding Team, more about the day on this link.
2-seaters; 1.30 AAT….direction East….NO FINISHERS but Italian team Riciardo and Davide won the day with 152.72 km for 140 points. Every point is valuable!!!! So 21 “out-landings”/ “engine starts”.

Tuesday August 8. The organizers really try hard to let their guests fly. But in the West they expected already quickly showers , WHEN they fly 18 m will go as they have 1 day less now.
What happened?
18 m; Task 5 ….2 hour AAT….CANCELLED
Open; Task 6…. 1.45 AAT.…CANCELLED
2-seaters; Task 6…1.30 AAT….CANCELLED
But,….not everybody agreed on that. More in the next post.

After 5 days the Dutch team leads the Team CUP scores, BUT “it ain’t over yet”.

August 9; TODAY….No tasks yet BUT,…there is a TC meeting, an open grid and briefing at 11. HOPE!!!!

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6th FAI JUNIOR EUROPEAN GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIP
Svæveflyvecenter Arnborg, Denmark
29 July 2023 – 12 August 2023

The young ones thought they were lucky as they ” maybe ” could fly on Sunday. 2 Hour AAT’s [task 5] were set, they tried hard, Lucas Kriz from Czech Rep ,who won the day before flew 25 km……BUT, you expect it already…CANCELLED.
Still only 3 valid days till now, sad but the better weather is coming, they said!!!!
I thought....yesterday morning there were weather-warnings for Scandinavia…code red for storms and heavy/extreme rain in Norway and Sweden . But Denmark would have their share as well. This low called ” Hans” reached Poland as well.[ and the Baltic States]
No tasks on Monday and Tuesday. Not one for today yet.

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CIM. [Coppa Internazionale del Mediterranio]
Rieti, Italy
1 August 2023 – 11 August 2023

Rieti is more in the middle of Italy and they escape on the bad weather more to the N and E.
They flew and though they had NO TASK on Friday and Saturday, they flew again on
Sunday March 6 task 4; 2.45 AAT….won by Aussie guest Matthew who straight away wrote in his Matthew Scutter’s Gliding blog
“Every dog has its day – and today was my day, first place by 7kph!
The outlook was pretty straightforward, a mega ridge/convergence bash up and down the east of the task area, but I clocked very early on that we were going so fast that we’d have to extend into the final AAT sectors where there wasn’t going to be any ridge or convergence.
When the tail end of the task came, most pilots were pretty gung ho and pushed hard into the poorer final sectors but I just wanted to bank the clean and fast flight and turned home under time, expecting the conditions to rapidly deteriorate – and when they did, I was already on final glide.”
Always the best to hear from the horses mouth.
Matthew flew 421.57 km with 149.64 km./h!!!! For 927 points.
23 more pilots started in open class and only 1 was out. And that was pretty sad as he was the number 1 overall for the 2 days before.
Monday August 7; Task 5…2.35 AAT....Here is Matthew again as this way you “feel” better ,like I do what’s happening in Rieti.;
“And some dogs get two days…
We had forecast showers and another AAT up and down the valley to the east, that didn’t really fit with any ridgelines as they weren’t expected to work well anyway.
Somehow I read the day completely differently to every other pilot and went up and down a convergence that was 50 degrees out of alignment with the circles, while everyone else somehow identified the ridges were actually still working ok and rode those on up and down with much less deviation.
Despite the big misalignment the convergence was so fast I was still slightly quicker.
He won with 387.94 km. and a speed of 148.51 km./h.
Giorgio [Galetto] was a good runner up with 144 km./h over 382 km.
From 24 starters 2 were “out”.
Tuesday August 8; 537.84 km….BIG DAY!!!
Matthew:
“Monster task today – 540km from a 2pm start gate, into broken thermals mostly formed by the convergence, as opposed to the much more desirable opposite way around. The saving grace was the high cloudbase, above 10,000ft in places, which just made the task possible.
I started a bit late because there was clearly going to be a bunching up at the end – and that’s exactly how it played out, the last 100km was getting very tricky and we all ran into the back of each other.
Very marginal final glide necessary to squeeze through the last pass gave the long wings a bit of an edge to get away from us.”
He was runner up with a speed of 125.96 km./h behind my old friend Alvaro in his ASH 31 MI/21m.[128.69 km./h.
24 Started and 5 were “out”.

Mixed class;
Sunday August 6; Task 4….3 hour AAT….a 1000 points -day for Swiss team  Leutenegger & Rüegg in their ARCUS T. 425.52 km speed 137.29 km/h.
All 22 started and 4 were out and also in this class the unexpected happened; Team Pirker/Pirker proudly on 3 overall belonged to the “out-landers”, after a rather late start.
Monday August 7; Task 5….2.25 AAT…..398.05 km with a speed of 146.93 km./h was the best combi for Darius from Lithuania in a DIANA 2.The ARCUS M from Lasham was runner up.
All 22 went on track and finished!!
Tuesday August 8; Task 6….384.43 km Team Leutenegger & Rüegg in their ARCUS T won with a speed of 132.74 km./h
22 Started and 1 was out.
6 out of 8 days that sounds BETTER. Still a few days to go.

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—–In between the 54th Klippeneck Championship is over [ 29 July 2023 – 5 August 2023] and they were as unlucky with the weather as many other comps.
In 15 m they had 2 valid tasks out of 8 days. In CLUB only 1. In 18m ,3 as well as in open and 20 m.
For scores; www.soaringspot.com

—–France has good weather.…so it is not all bad here in Europe. Michael Sommer [EB 29 R] flew on Monday August 7, 1.406,85 km from Puimoisson and also on that day 3 more 1000 km flights, 1 more from Puimoisson in Ventus 3M from Fayence in ARCUS M and Vinon by Gilles Navas in ASG 29. Gilles flew on Saturday also a big one; 1.290 km.
One day earlier also a 1.400 km flight by Baptiste Innocent in another big bird; ASH 31/21m.

—–The weather bureau COPERNICUS mentioned about July 2023, that it was WORLDWIDE the HOTTEST EVER.The average temperature was 16.96, which was 0.33 dgr higher than the last record in July 2019.

You are up to date, more news and the FINAL days on Saturday or Sunday.
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.437 on Sunday August 6 2023

We continue with the comps in progress and only hope for better weather.

21st FAI EGC in POLAND
Leszno Strzyzewi
26 July 2023 – 11 August 2023

When I left you on Wednesday they had just publicized the tasks for the 3 classes. 3 hour AAT’s .

British Gliding Team was carefully optimistic.
“1st launch at 1115 hrs as conditions OK now with good cloud streeting. Wx will deteriorate from the W mid afternoon.” I presume early starts,….at least a.s.a.p.
Dutch Gliding Team mentioned;” The meteo man expected a good day, but he announced also that around 4 a heat front with a thick layer of clouds would kill all lift. The wind will increase to 50 km./hour .
During the day there will be cloud streets“
So if all goes well, it could be a fast day in a not really big window.

Here we go with
TASK 2 on day 6 on Wednesday August 2; “Today the weather improved and we could admire gliders in the air again! Pilots finished task 2.  Everyone could enjoy the one and only beauty of gliding 😊” organizers on FB.

18m. CLASS;
August 2 Task 2; 3 hour AAT….With a late start at 12.47….[the first pilots like Wolfgang [WGC Champion] and Christophe [Nacke, JWGC champion]] went on track on 12.07/08…. Arne Boye Moeller raced over the track ,passing all to be back at 4,when the weather change should start, to be the daily winner; 349 km speed 107.57 km./h. for 1000 points.
Quite a bit faster than runner up Michael Reiner from Switzerland with 103.83 km./h.
Arne moved up from 17 to 8 on the overall list.
All 36 pilots were HAPPY to be in the air again and only 2 were “out”.
After 2 days Bert jr from Belgium leads the class with 22 points on Peter from the Netherlands, so the “low countries” are doing well till now.[1.895 for 1.873] They “know about” this weather.
Sebastian was on spot 17 after a penalty , [ incorrect landing procedure] that’s weird for him.

August 3 Task 3; 3 hour AAT.

Some news about the day first…..”3 hrs AATs (again!) for all classes in a narrow weather window with a PEV start.1st launch just confirmed for 11:30 local time and the tugs are just starting up to head to the grid.” British Gliding Team 
Dutch Gliding Team; ” Another day with special circumstances. Ground wind 30 and more upper wind 40 km./h and possibly increasing. At the start 7/8 of cu’s and some small showers around at distance. The task first to the SW, where Jelena Gora is, well-known because of the wave there. Thermals there might be influenced by the wave. A challenging day with the expectation of changes in the scores“
It was raining during the first launches and to the S. it looked appalling, but still hope for cloud streets.
What happened in 18 m. class?
It turned out to be a more Polish day, with tricky conditions and lot’s of rain, not to forget at least 60 k p.h wind. The Dutch team was correct, big changes in the scores.
In 18 m it was Poland on spot 1,2 and 3; Sebastian and the 2 “Lucaszes”; 355 km and a speed of 117/116 km./h.
Due to the rain one could not get away and even had to use the engine to get back to the field; a launch but no start means N.S so 0 points. But all in all 36 started and 26 finished.
3 Toppers were out; Bert jr, Russell and Radek.
Some started at 12.44, the Italians and others at 14.28 p.e Dennis from Belgium!!!He had to relaunch between showers in retrospect , not too bad for him, as he did well.
The 3 Polish pilots moved up to 1,2 and 3 overall as well and Dennis who was 4th for the day, from 18 to 11. Bert jr moved from 1 to 10.
Indeed big changes!!!!!!

August 4..Task 4; 324.91 km….Task C was set in the end. Another very challenging day again ,specially in this 18 m. class .ONLY 4 from 36 finished. 2 German pilots , Sebastian Huhmann in his AS 33es [96.25 km./h] on spot 1 and Christophe on 4 and in between ANNE from France and Russell from the UK.
Russell and Christophe JUST could make it and their speed was 80 and 77 km. but they were in.
14 of the “out-landers” flew over 300 km. All started between 14.14 and 14.47.
Arne mentioned;”Polish Weather called for 34/37 outlandings including me…but still in 6th place overall..”
Time for a bit of rest, but first The Polish Evening.
Belgian team;“flying day 4 of the competition, the first cumulus appeared before 9am and quickly developed in beautiful cloud streets. 1st launch was foreseen at 11am but was delayed for some reason by 2 hours… This delay unfortunately was bad news for the 18m class, who started as the last ones in grid and whose startline only opened at 2.15pm. Due to the incoming cirrus clouds, the last 100km were extremely challenging and only 4 pilots managed to get back to Leszno.”

OPEN CLASS;
August 2..Task 2 ;3 hour AAT....The MIGHTY EB 29R indeed is MIGHTY. 3 of them on the 3 first spots. Sylvain Gerbaud won the day with 362.77 km in time 3.20.27 [ speed 108.59 km./h] for 1000 points.
Markus Frank is really doing well. Runner up with with 106.03km/h and on spot 1 overall after 2 tasks….43 points ahead of Sylvain. Hopefully many more days to come!!!!
15 started and 14 finished!

August 3
Task 3; 3 hour AAT….Another Polish pilot wins the day; 346 km speed 115.43 km./h by Tomasz Rubaj for 1000 points. He was the last to go on track at 14.29, whilst an early starter Czech David Mach left at 13.08 and was runner up. Both fly a JS1C.
Tomasz leads overall now just ahead of Markus.
15 started and 3 were “out” among them Andy Davis.
August 4; 376.34 km racing task. They were the first on the grid and all started between 13.31 and 13.56, but these late starters belonged to the 4 who “outlanded”.
1000 points to be earned in this class and they were for Dutch pilot Francois in his EB 29R; 105.66 km./h Runner up was Tomasz in the JC1C with 102 km./h both were the only over 100- km-pilots.
All 15 started.

DUAL SEAT CLASS;
August 2 Task 2; 3 hour AAT...more good “low-countries-news” Joost and Erik won the day in their ARCUS ; 297.40 km speed 99 km./h. Not too fast but still good for 1000 points!! After a bit of an off-start on task 1 with only a 21st spot from 22, they recovered strongly.
Runner up from Belgium [low country] team Bielen & Snyers; 320 km with 98.74 km./h. Good on both of them.

August 3 Task 3; 3 hour AAT….No Polish winner in this class, but team Barszcz & Kornacki was
runner up behind the Danish team  Ørskov & Mix; 324 km speed 106.39 km./h.
22 started and 15 finished. Some flew back with the engine, as they could not get away because of the showers.
August 4; task ; 309.50 km racing task…An international top 3. Winners for the day French team Philippe de Pechy /Bouderlique speed 92.49 km./h!! Runner up Hungarian team  Gulyás & Korom [91 km./h] and 3d UK team Gary Coppin &Steve Jones[91 km./h.]
Time for the POLISH NIGHT.

I hear and read that after today the weather will be not good enough to fly, but later in the week summer starts also in Poland. So a few days of rest and more days of flying to come I hope/they hope!!!
The POLISH EVENING was NICE.
Not everyone is happy with the organizers ,but they seem very kind and try hard.
“organisational kerfuffling”
” a bit of a mess, wrong tasks, mistakes in tasks, first start at 11.14 turned out at 12.55 on small window days etc”
“EGC2023Weather updates!Our Met Man is a man of few words:
WX: 06.08 not flying, 07.08 50% prob flying” British Gliding Team

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6th FAI JEGC in DENMARK
Arnborg
 29 July 2023 – 12 August 2023

Task’ s 2 on day 4 [plus 1 official rest day] were ready to be flown. Luckily I read also for Denmark some optimisms.
“Today’s weather is an improvement on yesterday, with a good soaring window for today! The Club Class have been set 168km, and the Standard Class have a 169km task. Both are in the local area, with some potentially nice conditions forecast.
First launch expected at 11:30am local” British Gliding Team

Wednesday August 2; according to team UK “Yesterday’s weather’s was challenging to forecast, with a front moving quickly in from the South West. A day with lots to take away from“
Team Germany was happy with a new day of flying but the circumstances were more difficult as expected, they had to divert due to shielding. But all finished.
Club class; 168.53 km…Kim Toppari from Finland won this 2d day of flying;speed 89.79 km./h. From 36 only 28 were “in” . Sara from Finland was on spot 28 the last finisher , but IN.

Standard class; 169.92 km….Matthias and Lasse from Denmark are truly doing well in their home country. Number 1 and 2 with a speed of 92 km./h They were ahead of the 2 UK boys Freddie and Ben on 3 and 4; 89 km./h.

Thursday August 3;NO FLYING…….

Friday August 4; YES a task again , small but they can fly! Flying day 3 out of 7 till now. BUT..…
Club class; task 6 …. 129.07 km CANCELLED
Standard class;task 6.... 132.43 km they were launched but CANCELLED IN THE AIR.

Saturday August 5 ; and NOW they really fly!!!! Flying day 3 out of 8. Rather big tasks, challenging weather, not a lot of lift so a pretty demanding day for the young ones, I read.
Club class;  task 4 …..285.55 km ….and even a 1000 points day and they were for Toby Freeland in his ASW 20. Speed 90 km./h. Toby is 2 overall now behind Kim from Finland who flew with a speed of 85.89 km./h to a daily 3d spot.
All 36 started and 32 finished, so a GOOD DAY!!!! 2 Of the out-landers were really close; 279 and 263 km out.
Standard class; 328.88 km…..and a Czech day; Lukáš Kríž on 1 with 91.94 km./h ,2 Jaromír Macoun with 91.52 km./h and on 3 Michaela Rendlova with 91.29 km./h..Starting together, finishing together and all 3 in an LS 8. Dutch pilot Niels was 4th with 88. 09 km./h.
20 started and 14 finished [3 Swiss young ones ,1 from Germany 1 from Poland and 1 from Hungary].

August 6 ; NO TASK yet!

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C[coppa] .I [Internazionale] .M [del Mediterano] in Rieti in Italy
1 August 2023 – 11 August 2023

As written in my last blog they fly in 2 classes an open and a mixed class.
The first task on August 1 was a nice one with 422.68 km in open and 379.44 km in the mixed class.
OPEN CLASS:
August 2,Task 2; 2.35 AAT …and 2 Italians and 2 Swiss pilots in the top 4. Daily winner Andrea Ferrero in AS 33es/18m. with 382.90 km speed 147.32 km!!!!! A “whopping” 7 km./h faster than the 2 Swiss pilots Stefan and Felix in ASG 29 E and Ventus 3TP/18 m.
All 24 started and finished!!!
Matthew on task 2; “we had the classic convergence followed by a ridge bash at the end – once again I had the Galetto Gatfield Deluxe Tour package, but with a few more wits I managed to sneak ahead a few times but they always reeled me back in and we all finished fairly close together.
The winner smashed us all by skipping the first ridge and hitting the convergence directly, up and down and back with basically no thermals.”Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
August 3; task 3….403.76 km…..Andrea Ferrero flew around with a speed of 136 km./h in his AS33es.
Matthew finally got the feeling for Rieti;
“Today I finally learned what Rieti is all about!I started in the wave, flew the first 40k in it before I realised the ridge was faster, dropped to the ridge and took the first turn, climbed up in thermals to transition to the convergence, 200km up and down the convergence, a couple more thermals, then with no more thermals left, jumping to the rotor of the very same wave bar as from the prestart climb for the final glide!How many sites can you do all that in an afternoon?” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

MIXED CLASS:
August 2 Task 2 in ; 2.45 AAT...Team Pirker & Pirker in ARCUS M from Austria “got” the 1000 points; 405.94 km. speed 133.94 km./h.
All 22 started and 20 finished.
August 3 Task 3; 408.75 km…..Swiss team Leutenegger & Rüegg “got” the 1000 points flying ARCUS T/20 over the track with 128.59 km./h. The Austrian team Pirker/Pirker was runner up but 5 k slower.
All 22 started and 18 were in.

I have been in Rieti several times and the most mentioned spots on tasks were The Terminillo and the Lago di Campotosto. I was AT the Terminillo, but never saw the lake not even on a picture. So I am glad the Austrians shared this one.

August 4 was an official rest day in Rieti!
August 5 had NO TASK.
August 6 today; Open; 2.45 AAT and mixed; 3 hour AAT. More on Wednesday.

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CIVA News from the Aerobatic world championship in Torun in Poland; the 25th FAI WGAC and the 13th FAI WAGAC ;
“Bjorn Straijer set to rest any discussions that the Swift is out of reach of the Fox with a win in Program 3 in the Advanced class at the World Glider Aerobatic Championships. A blistering 77.8% on his scoresheet will take home a Free Unknown flight gold medal for the Dutch pilot.
The overall Advanced contest leader Thibaut Fromantin @thib_from_the_sky was only a few points behind for 2nd place in the flight. Tomas Michalek @tommichalek99 who is the points leader for the Czech Team that holds first place in the Team competition also reached the staggering 77% threshold to earn abronze medal for the flight.”
I don’t know anything about this sport and how the scores work, but a new DUTCH world champion is not bad. Not bad at all!!! Congratulations!!!

Bad news as well; Andrea Florence had the next news from Torun
“Breaking News!! Pietro Filippini (My Aerobatic Instructor..) yesterday was involved in an important accident when the cable of the towing plane struck the fuselage of Pietro’s plane and tangled around the glider blocking elevators. Pietro was able to bail out without major consequences.”
One on the reactions on this post; “Tow cable behind a plane wrapped around a glider during its aerobatics. Seemed the plane was at the wrong place ’cause the glider was in the box.”

You can see 3 more pictures on Andrea’s GLIDING & SOARING

That’s it for now more on Wednesday. It’s raining “cat’s and dogs here, more autumn than summer. BUT there is light at the horizon,MAYBE 25 on Thursday again and DRY!!!!
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.436 on Wednesday August 2 2023.

Some local news : WET,WET,WET…..
Between showers, wind and thunderstorms with hail, the Gelderse has, as every year a 3 week gliding camp. Young and old mix nicely together and fly the gliders from the club all with an E on the tail.
Or when you have your own glider, of course you can fly that one.
They brave the weather, sometimes it creates nice big windows, for a flight with a smile, but the last couple of days it was cold and wet!!!!

This year they fly 2 weeks , then a stop, as some of the young pilots participate in the Dutch Junior Nationals at Venlo and then their last week.
Gliding is having fun together!!!! Also in less good weather.

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The 21 st FAI European Gliding Championships
Leszno Strzyzewi, Poland
30 July 2023 – 11 August 2023

76 pilots in 3 classes were ready last Sunday for their first flight .
They could practice between July 26 and 28 , presented themselves at the opening, on the 29th at 10 AM and they fly between July 30 and August 11.
The opening at 10:00 a.m. was in front of the Town Hall at the Leszno market square,on July 29.
The closing ceremony will be on August 12 at 10.30 local time.
On the first practice day the 18 m [ 37 pilots] had a 2.45 AAT, open [ 16] 2.30 and for the 20-seaters [23] as well.
I was impressed with the list of pilots,…. ALL are good/strong!!
It will be interesting to see who is going to win this EGC in EACH class, as several have that opportunity and the exact skills.

Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures shared this news to support his mates:
“Bring on the Europeans: Sebastian Kawa, Łukasz Wójcik, Lukasz Grabowski, Wolfgang Janowitsch, Bert Schmelzer, Aku Jaakola & Giancarlo Grinza all choosing to fly the Ventus 3S at the upcoming championships – bring it on .”
On practice day 2 they topped the list in 18 m. with Bert on 1, Lucasz on 2 and Sebastian on 3. From 37 pilots 29 started and 3 were out. Lot’s of penalties so good reason to make a start and find out how to ” do things better” during the comps.
The next 3 days the news was ;”The weather is challenging today and official training flights cannot take place.”

More interesting news via Kiripotib and Markus Frank;
‘The best pilots compete in cross-country flying at the European Championships in Leszno (PL). Nine trainers from Flying with the Champions are joining the competition . Thanks to the efforts of Markus Frank we got them all in one pic . We wish all participants good luck. Fly safe”

And then it finally starts…….and after the pouring rain, a good task….though they kept a B task for “when necessary”. IT WAS……3 hour tasks for all classes and it turned out a VERY DIFFICULT FIRST DAY.
18m. class;
July 30…Task 1; 3.20 AAT…..changed in 3 hour AAT….357.40 km.was the distance flown by Łukasz Wójcik in the Ventus 3 T. He used 3 hours and 11 minutes and was the daily best for 1000 points and that “counts” on such a day on which only 16 from 36 finished due to showers and difficult lift to go on track.
Sebastian Kawa was runner up and the other Lucasz [Grabowski] was 4th. All 3 fly Ventus 3T. On spot 3, great result for Dutch pilot Peter Millenaar also in Ventus 3T.
On the last leg they flew into a line of {thunder} storms and that was the end of the fun for most of them , as behind that “line” the air was DEAD. Clearly the early starters had it “easier” ,but not all could start early I heard….not a lot of lift.
July 31;NO TASK
August 1; NO TASK
August 2; TODAY…..3 hour AAT

Open class;
July 30…Task 1; 3.10 AAT….changed in 3 hour AAT….Even worse conditions in this class; ONE finisher from 15; Markus Frank [Germany] in the mighty EB 29R. He flew just over 100 km./h over 356.59 km in time 3.32, for 680 points. Runner up was Tomasz Rubaj in the JS1C and another top 3 position in this class for Dutch pilot Francois Jeremiasse also in EB 29R.
“What a first day yesterday! It was Task B eventually but the delay in issuing new Task Sheets unfortunately resulted in a reduced soaring window which in hindsight, would have probably gotten everyone home in advance of the ‘Wall of Rain’ to the east of the airfield. Only one glider from the Open Class made it back and so well done to Marcus Frank for finding the only bit of lift after the rain.” British Gliding Team
July 31;NO TASK
August 1;NO TASK
August 2; 3 hour AAT.….

2-seaters;
July 30..Task 1; 3.10 AAT….changed in 3 hour AAT.…with 1 Duo Discus and 1 Twin Shark the rest of the pilots fly either an ARCUS M or ARCUS T.
11 from 22 finished, so halve of them were out. 996 points were for UK team Pete Harvey/ Chris Dawes; 330.35 km speed 100 km./h.
Gary Coppin and Steve Jones were runner up due to a penalty [Self-launch above altitude limit.] ; 333.81 km in time 3.18 [speed 100 km./h] for 972 points!
Maybe typical UK conditions as the runners up were from the UK too.
Well done by German team Chrissie Grote and her Uli Gmelin on spot 9.
July 31; last day on the month of JULY.
The rain had not yet left and it rains from the UK to Poland and “all in between”. Briefing was postponed to 11 ,then to 12 as there was still hope for a small window in the afternoon, so gliders were waiting on the grid for the “verdict”.
No briefing & no task today CANCELLED.
August 1; DAY 3…NO FLYING IN ALL CLASSES.“We hope that weather conditions improve tomorrow! 🤞”
August 2; day 4…3 hour AAT.

———————————————————————–

The 6th FAI Junior European Gliding Championship.
Svæveflyvecenter Arnborg, Denmark
29 July 2023 – 12 August 2023

56 young ones started last Saturday in 2 classes [20 in standard and 36 in club class] for their championship.” Young very new to a big competition “- pilots and older [under 25] more experienced pilots.
On Wednesday July 26 the official practice period [till July 28] started and showed in both classes a 243.45 km task, then a 2.30 AAT and on Friday 336.87 as task 3 in both classes.
So pretty nice weather!!!
Welcome party was at July 28 and the opening on the 29th at 11 AM.
“Umbrellas and jackets were essential as the rain poured down throughout.The pilots are looking forward to the start of the competition“British Gliding Team

The contest is between July 30 and August 11 with the farewell party on that evening and the prize giving at 10 AM on August 12.
“A well experienced team is in charge of the organisation of event with Øjvind K. Frank as Competition Director. Frank is an active competition pilot and has held many roles in the gliding community over the years, including coach and team captain for the Danish junior pilots.” FAI – World Air Sports Federation

Club class;
July 29; Task 1….NO TASK....…..still rain over the field and the contest area.
Nice pictures from Thorbjørn Brunander Sund of the practice days are shared by the Dutch team;
danishaviationphoto.com/gliders
July 30 ; Official rest day!
July 31; 2.15 AAT…..they can start with the comps .”The forecast for todays weather is for changeable conditions, perfect for our pilots! Flying in Denmark is just like flying in the UK“British Gliding Team

It was a challenging day but the French did well with a DUAL number 1 position . They flew 245 km with a speed of 106 km./h . Together with Toby from the UK, all 3 flying ASW 20, they were the only pilots flying over 100 km./h.
From 36 , 30 finished. A pity but 1 of the 3 French musketeers was out after 49 km.
August 1; NO FLYING but lot’s of FUN.
August 2; no task yet. But there might be one later,…there is HOPE!!!!

Standard class;
July 29; Task 1….NO task
July 30; Official rest day.
July 31; Task 2;2.30 AAT….2 Polish and 3 German pilots were in the top 5, so they started this competition GOOD. Tomasz and Wictor in Discus 2A and LS 8 flew 243 km with a speed of 97 km./h. Slower than the clubbies.
The 3 German boys flew 238 km with a speed of 94/95 km./h.
All 20 started AND…ALL 20 finished!!!TOP!!!

August 1: NO TASK
August 2; no task YET.

———————————————————–

In between the Club class Championships in France and the UK have finished.
In France they could fly 2 out of 7 days from Buno Bonnevaux ; a 3 hour AAT as task 1 and NONE of the 42 finished and as task 2 a racing task from 248 km. won by Adrien Henry in ASW 20.
He is the new National Club Class champion with 1.105 points followed by Maxence Stawski in LS 4 with 991 points and on spot 3 Clément de Péchy in LS 7 with 969 points ONE point more than Victor Mallick on spot 4.

In the UK 31 pilots tried to be the new Club class Champion. They had 4 out of 8 days at Dunstable; small tasks, though task 5 had 226 km and task 4, 277 km.
After the 4 tasks Tim Milner in his LS 3, was the new CHAMPION!! 2,520 points.
Runner up was Tom Arscott [ LS 7] with 2,319 points and on the podium as well Tim Fletcher in LS 7WL with 2,305 points.

——————————————————————

Truckee Tahoe Soaring Association shared the next news;
“It’s a wrap for 2023! TTSA is now closed for the season due to the runway 2/20 reconstruction project that began on July 24th. Its expected finish is late October 2023. Our last day of operation was July 22nd.
Despite our shortened season and other challenges, we remained very busy, successfully running our scenic glider rides, youth programs, tows, and other services for the glider pilot community. We also had some truly fantastic early-season soaring weather this year!“

———————————————————————-

——54th Klippeneck competition is busy as well with 82 pilots, in 5 classes. [ 29 July 2023 – 5 August 2023]
Most probably in the rain as well.
In open, 18 m and dual- seat -class they had 2 days till now, none in club and 1 in 15m.
No task yet.
When you are interested the scores are on www.soaringspot.com and the news on https://www.klippeneck-wb.de/

—–News from WeGlide
“Gliding out of this world – Simon Schröder proved again why he is a world champion and squeezed a 578 km straight flight out of the Ventus 3 without ridge or wave. He averaged 170 km/h on this glide and only lost 709 m. This is a proper glide ratio – unbelievable.”
He flew 621,72km @ 155,00 km/h Started from Bad Wörishofen and “only ” sat 4 hours and 10 minutes in his Ventus 3.
https://www.weglide.org/flight/314864

——News in Matthew Scutter’s Gliding ” What a hardcore introduction to Rieti!”
Matthew flies with 45 other pilots the C.I.M between August 1 and 11 from Rieti.
2 Classes and on day 1 open [24 pilots] had a 422.68 km and Matthew was runner up in his JS 3/18m.
The mixed class [21] had 379.44 km km and was won by team Flewett from the UK in ARCUS M.
Love the C.I.M in Rieti!

—–News from Soaring Society of America, ;“2023 Sports Class Nat’s contest: Waller, TX home of the Soaring Club of Houston…..Practice day today and it’s hot, literally and figuratively with temps and competitors”
Finally a competition with nice hot, dry racing weather.

More on Sunday, when they fly at the JWGC and EGC , otherwise on Wednesday.
Cheers Ritz from WET ,COLD and WINDY Holland…brrrr… 18 dgr.C. Normal would be 23 this time of the year.

Post 1.435 on Wednesday July 26 2023

OSTROW GLIDE
14 July 2023 – 23 July 2023

In between, Ostrow Glide , the PRE JWGC AND the Polish Club class nationals are over for the 10 Pre JWGC pilots in Standard class , the 20 Pre JWGC pilots in club and the 40 Club class pilots “fighting” for the national title.
Busy competition, luckily with pretty good weather.
8 out of 9 days with some “strong” tasks.
A short resume ….
Pre JWGC Standard class;
Norbert Scarlet was EVERY day in the top 4 from the standard pilots participating later in the JWGC . He won task 1; 365.86 km in his Discus 2A. He was 3d on task 5; 516.84 km also on task 6 a 4 hour AAT; he flew 530 km speed 125.29 km./h, but got 36 penalty points [116 m. over Maximum Loss of Height]
On task 7 with 340.70 km he lost 30 from the 1000 points as the French were better;1 and 2 . Louis and Lucas flew together and their speed was 110 km./h. Norbert, 109 km./h.
Task 8 a 324.13 km race task was a prey for Norbert again; 129,42 km./h. about 5 k faster than the runner up.
No secret that Norbert won this PREWORLD JWGC in St class , so somebody to keep an eye on. I did already!
Norbert won 4 days, and has in the end a HUGE lead.

Overall results in Standard Class [Pre JWGC]
1. Norbert Scarlat from Romania in Discus A with 6,738 points.
2. Tomasz Kurowski from Poland in Discus 2 A with 6.098 p.
3. Louis Janzam from France in ASW 24 with 6.045 p.

Pre JWGC Club Class;
The most impressive names in this class were Nicolas Caudrelier [France] flying a Pegase C101A and Julia Wałowska [Poland] a local Ostrow girl flying a St. Jantar 3.
Those 2 “spiced up” the scores and actions for others.
Julia won straight away task 1 with 310.18 km.Her speed; 97.46 km./h.
Task 2 ; a 2:45:45 AAT was for Nicolas; 88.84 km./h.
Task 3; a 2 hour AAT for Nicolas; 94.98 km/h over 216 km .
Task 4; 436.91 km and a new face for the daily prize, local “hero” Tomasz in St Jantar 3. Julia was runner up, Nicolas was 3d starting last from the 19 pilots still in the race.
Task 5; 4 hour AAT…Nicolas flew 423 km in time 4.06; speed 102.99 km./h and 1000 points.
Task 6 ; 2 hour AAT and a difficult day for some as 4 from 19 out landed. Grzegorz in a St Jantar 2 won the day with 214 km in time 157.29; speed 106.76 km./h. Julia was 8th and Nicolas 3d.
Task 7; 302.62 km and JULIA-day again. 99 km./h for her and 98 km./h for Nicolas. He lost 20 daily points.
Task 8; 309.41 km and local Tomasz is back on 1; 105 km./h. Julia was 3d and Nicolas runner up.
Not too much “thinking” about the final scores;

Overall results in the Pre JWGC Club Class;
1. Nicolas Caudrelier from France in Pegase  C101A with 6,976 points.
2. Julia Wałowska from Poland in St Jantar 3 with 6,746 p.
3. Redondo Bastien from France in Discus B with 6,616 p.

The Polish Club Class Nationals had a big bunch of pilots. They started with 40 and finished with 40 GOOD!!! They had of course the same good weather and about the same tasks, in fact sometimes bigger.
NO, HC pilots, all were from Poland. Several well-known as; Tomasz Krok, Stanisław [Stan] Wujczak and Judyta Czyż who I met in Lake Keepit at the Female Worlds.
Task 1; 316.14 km and Jacek Flis [ LS3 WL] was the first daily winner. A well known name as well.
Task 2 ;  2:45 AAT and won by Tomasz Hornik in the BRAWO; 264 km. in time 2.47 speed 94.76 km./h. Judyta was 3d.
Task 3; 2 hour AAT…Jacek won again; 230 km in time 2.03; 112 km./h.
Task 4; 514.76 km..Christoph Matkowski, also a well known Polish pilot, speed 109.42 km./h. Jacek was runner up, Tomasz was 3d and Stan 6th.
Task 5; 4 hour AAT…won by Christoph again; 460 km in time 4.06; speed 112.04 km.
Task 6; 2 hour AAT….Jacek-time again; 258 km in time 2.01 so a nice speed of 127.74 km./h.
Task 7; 320.77 km …Stanislaw Biela in St Jantar2 won the day for 926 points.
Task 8;  316.98 km…Last day and again another face at the daily podium; Przemysław Bartczak in SD55-1. Jacek was runner up. 40 Started this last day and 29 finished, so not easy. Judyta was 12th.Stan 26th in a Mini Nimbus B.
Looking at the final scores , we see more, till now not mentioned names;
1. Jacek Flis in LS 3 WL with 6,870 points and Polish NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. Paweł Wojciechowski in SZD 55 with 6,507 p.
3. Mikołaj Zdun in LS 3WL with 6,465 p.

——————————————————————–

—-News from Schempp-Hirth
“3000km with Arcus in USA! Therefore, we interviewed the record-breaking pilot Gordon Boettger:
Amelie Holighaus:
Hi Gordon, congratulations for this crazy flight! How long have you planned this flight in advance?

Gordon Boettger: I had not planned at all for a 3000km flight for this flight.  Because the wave conditions were not forecast to be that good and to end by 1400 that day in the Minden area and north of Minden, I figured maybe a 2500km flight would be the absolute maximum distance achievable.  It’s quite interesting that after my NVG “test” flights soon before this flight, there was a lot of interest and therefore interviews and articles written.  In a few of those articles there was mention of a 3000km flight that could happen in the future.  Never did I believe that would happen only a few weeks after these articles were published.

To read more of the interview and get a further view inside Gordon’s flight, visit our homepage or click this link:https://www.schempp-hirth.com/…/latest…/3000arcususa

————————————————————

2 Cat 1 comps about to start; Both at the same time between July 29 and August 12 2023.
6th European competition Juniors in Denmark with 56 pilots in 2 classes from Arnborg ;
https://jegc2023.dk/

The Dutch team has arrived already with 2 from the 4 gliders.

And more Dutch trailers are “en Route” to Poland [Torun] , as the World Championship AEROBATICS is about to start too. 3 Dutch pilots participate!!
Good luck guy’s!!!!

EGC in Poland from Leszno , today their practice days start;
https://egc2023.pl/
Most of the pilots are on their way and the Italian team shared this picture;

That’s it for today. I try to “follow” the EGC and JEGC.

Cheers Ritz

Post 1.434 on July 19 2023

THE WWGC is over and as ALWAYS, I loved to follow it. I was a bit disappointed in the news from Soria. No streaming with briefings or prize giving, no news on the official site. YES, I found their news on FB, but luckily much better and much more cheerful, was the news from some countries as the UK, Italy and France.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!!!
Good to read everybody was HAPPY at the Garray- airfield and lot’s of new friendships have been “born”. That’s what it is ALL about, is n’t it?
Below the official results.

——FAI congratulates the Winners and thanks the Organisers of the Championship.
Sport: Gliding
Title:   12th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championship
Type:  World
Date:  01.07 – 15.07.2023
Location: Garray (Spain)

Final Results :
18M – Overall
1st : Alena Netusilova     CZE
2nd: Mélanie Gadoulet    FRA
3rd : Anne Ducarouge     FRA

Standard – Overall
1st:  Barbora Moravcova           CZE
2nd: Aude Untersee                  FRA
3rd:  Marilyne Abadie-Bérard    FRA

Club – Overall
1st : Louise Rodriguez    FRA
2nd: Michaela Krizova    CZE 
3rd : Daniela Wilden    GER 

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!And because TEAM FRANCE was SO good ,here another picture from ALL of THEM. Most of them I met in Lake Keepit.
Only missing from there; the always good humored “cooking mum”!!!

—–The NATIONALS in the UK were WET!!! They could only fly ONE day out of 9!
That day had daily winners in 2 classes so in the end after 1 day also overall points. As far as I know you need more days than 1 to have new champions, not sure how that is in the UK. Will sort that out.
Ian Macarthur won in 18 m with 607 points.
In 20 m; it was Martin Theisinger from Germany who could not win the title so for that reason I mention number 2 Matt Cook in the ARCUS M with 622 points.
I checked for you with one of my Lasham mates and I was surprised by his answer:
“Yes one day is enough for a competition in the UK!
We were unlucky, after a fine period in June, a strong jet stream right across the UK gave several areas of low pressure, even after the fronts passed us we had strong winds and frequent heavy showers.
On Wednesday the forecast was promising but as we launched an area of showers developed upwind of us and completely covered the start area. Pilots were soaring both 25km north and 25km south of the airfield but could not get into the start zone where there was heavy rain. We also lost another day when the crosswind was too strong for safe launching.”
I hoped for a good last Sunday, as I noticed the open roof at Wimbledon but ” Yes Sunday was OK near Lasham and at Wimbledon but many more showers and stronger winds at Husbands Bosworth.“
There you are.
Thanks Roy.

—–Matthews SkySight has a very interesting article on the morning glory. Not so well known in Europe but for sure in Australia and certainly the Northern part. I have written often about it too ,with pictures from friends, who were there. But here is the professional view.
“Today in the cloud-spotter series: Morning Glory
Ever heard of the Morning Glory cloud? It’s a rare and fascinating meteorological phenomenon observed in specific parts of the world. This unique cloud formation, known as a roll cloud or arcus cloud, often appears as bands of clouds associated with a low-level atmospheric solitary wave.
One of the best places to witness the Morning Glory cloud is the southern part of the Gulf of Carpentaria in Northern Australia. Glider pilots gather in Burketown from late September to early November to experience this captivating event and ride the wave.
The Morning Glory cloud can stretch up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in length, reaching heights of 1 to 2 kilometers above the ground. It moves at a speed of 10 to 20 meters per second, and sometimes multiple roll clouds can be seen in succession.
This phenomenon brings sudden wind squalls, low-level wind shear, and a sharp pressure jump at the surface. Clouds continuously form at the front while eroding at the back. Showers or thunderstorms may follow in its wake. Over land, the cloud dissipates quickly due to drier air.
If you ever get the chance to witness the Morning Glory cloud, consider yourself lucky! It’s a stunning display of nature’s beauty and power.“

——With the exiting Tour De France ,what about the 2 “fighters” Vingegaard and Pogacar, with this week to go and Wimbledon, finishing last Sunday, my sport heart was “busy” to say at the least. Great tennis between Djokovic and Alcaraz . This picture from Tennis World might show “the changing of the guard” from the fabulous older generation , to the nearly all by now fabulous new young generation.

Waiting for the next BIG EVENT; THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP in Leszno in Poland end of July and beginning of August .Lot’s of International TOPPERS in Leszno!!!
“On behalf of the Leszno Aero Club and Leszno and the Airfield Foundation we are honoured to invite all glider pilots to compete in the 21^st FAI European Gliding Championships.
The EGC2023 will be held at the Leszno Airfield (EPLS) from 29^th July to 12^th August 2023 in three classes:

• Open Class
• 18-metre Class
• 20-metre Multi-seat Class

Despite the difficult times, including the tragic conflict in Ukraine (which fortunately is more than 700 km away from us and has no impact on the operations at Leszno Airport) we believe that it will be a great, exciting and safe championship.
EGC2023 will also be the crowning achievement of the long and rich history of gliding in Poland. In 2023, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first gliding championships in our country!“

——Several over 1000 km-flights last week , a few from the USA , even 2x with Keith Essex [ASG 32MI] from Moriarty and also 2x from France by Baptiste Innocent.[ASH 31/21 m] from Fayence.
AND…. by Jim Lee [ JS1C/21m] the longest, 1.134,63 km with a speed of 143 km./h. from Minden.
AND… a few flights from Germany. One , not a 1000 but special, by Uwe Wahlig from Bensheimer Stadt in an LS 3; 850 FAI TRIANGLE!!!
AND….Fuentemilanos had a 1.130 k as well in the “mighty” ARCUS M, flown by Guy Bechtold with Frerk Frommholz.
Have a look at the OLC or on WeGlide.

CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.433 on Sunday July 16 2023

WWGC 2023
Soria-Garray, Spain
 2 July 2023 – 14 July 2023

The last days of this HOT competition with temperatures up and over 40 dgr. C, are for most pilots no problem, as they have flown in such hot conditions often, as they can provide good tasks. Wednesday was COOLER! Good for the crews who stay at the ground.
Let’s look at the last 3 days of this WWGC.

WEDNESDAY; July 12 with task 11 on flying day 7/8….a cooler day!
“Good morning. Less wind today and the day starts with high cirrus, but it is supposed to subside as the day goes on. We also have task A and B today. Club class is on the front of the grid again.” US Soaring Teams

Club class; 2.30 AAT...The Italian team around Elena and those in Italy following her, are always the most enthusiastic and this time they really could CHEER out LOUD!!!
“Grazie Elena Premiazione per la vittoria di ieri, grande!” Volo a Vela by Clara Bartolini 
Elena, who won the 2020 WWGC in Australia won the day. She is a lovely “girl” from a REAL soaring family and a great “asset” for women gliding.
In her Discus A she flew 242 km with a speed of 95.61 km./h.
The first starters left at 4PM , Elena at 4.22 PM some others as the at this stage overall number 1 Louise [5,114p] left at 4.32 PM. But by now they are used to late[r]starts.
The German girls, Daniela [5,021p] and Carolin,[5,008 p] both high in the overall top[ 2+3] as well, were on a daily spot 2 and 3.
2 are out of the races, Carol from the UK and Ukrainian Olena. So 17 left in club.
Yes, there is an Elena from Italy and Olena from Ukraine both in Club and Alena in 18m. She is from the Czech Rep.

Standard class; 3 hour AAT….Anais, Maryline and Aude the 3 French toppers won the day flying 352 km with a speed of 116 and 112 km./h. They started rather late at 4.33 PM. Delia from Switzerland was the first on track at 3.49 PM.
All 16 started and finished. Lizzy was on spot 9 [294 km…73.79 km./h]

Looking back at task 10 with Lizzy;
After the less-points-day for Lizzy, due to the fact that she was “sucked in” the forbidden zone for ONE second, meaning out- landing at the spot, after 54 km, she had a good flight. Luckily she only found out later about that second! She looked at her instruments as a “hawk” but it still happened.
“A challenging day with 40 kts. wind and an enormous gaggle with nearly all gliders.
I decided to take it easy today, take no risk and leave the initiative to others. When I was high and the 18 m started, I just went along behind them. In the blue I quickly found the convergence and even caught up with the 18 m gliders .Loved the convergence and the view, though I was a bit impressed with the mountains and the little useful height because of the airspace. Unfortunately I was sucked in for a second! But all in all a very nice day and all went well.“
Competition flying certainly a big competition is a real learning curve. From those “little” mishaps you LEARN A LOT!!!

18m. class; 3 hour AAT….ALL 12 started and finished. Melanie and Anne [Ducarouge] were the 2 best with 369/362 km and a speed of 116/115 km./h. Alena from Czech Rep. was 3d and still leads this class at this stage with 7,107 p. Followed by Melanie [6,954p] and Anne [ 6,867 p]

Thursday July 13; PENULTIMATE DAY
weather-wise good, so long race tasks for all classes.
First expected launch at 13.30.

Club class; 306.45 km….With a start at 3.17 the Czech girls had a good day. Tereza and Michaela flew around with 96 km./h for a daily spot 1 and 2. Petra was 4th with 86 km./h and in between at spot 3, Danish Christina in her LS1f. She started at 2.56!
Louise was on spot 7 loosing over 300 points, but she will still start on the last day with a lead of FOUR /4 points!!!! Exciting stuff for her!
The German girls started, for what reason I don’t know[weather, problems] ….LATE; at 4.27. Daniela dealt with that and finished on spot 5 arriving back at 8PM, but Carolin less, arriving at 8.34 PM; she was 16th, lost over 400 points and dropped from 2 to 4!!!! Daniela stayed on 3.
All [now] 17 pilots started and only our Brazilian friend was out after 94 km.

Standard class; 374.60 km….After the “troubles” from the day before, now a REAL GOOD day again for Lizzy; she won after a pretty late start [ she was the last to be launched] at 4.21PM; speed 100.08 km./h. !!! 1000 points…. Speed 100.18 km./h
Just a tad faster than Francesca Roberts from the UK, who had 100.11 km./h [999 p] and that was less than a “nano-second ‘ faster than Marilyne [998 p]
NOTE!!!!! I heard that Francesca is 6 months pregnant!!!!! WOW !!!!
Except for Delia from Switzerland ,…she missed out on only 40 k …all girls finished.
The 4 early starters between 3.45 and 3.59 PM, finished on the last 4 spots.

18 m class; 511.04 km....OUCH, maybe a bit too far, BUT when 3 girls fly the distance the organizers have set, they are correct! SO,….Only 3 finished; Alena and Michaela on 1 and 3 and in between Katrin Senne from Germany a real good pilot , was the 2017 WGC champion, but she got late “on steam” in Spain.
Melanie and Anne were close; out after 496 and 478 km.
The UK-girls Liz and Ayala had a bit of an off-day with 250 and 183 km.
All starts between 3.10 and 3.23 PM.

July 14 …..Quatorze JUILLET…. NATIONAL DAY….party time in France.
ULTIMATE ,….very last day !
Good weather again, races as task and for the first time more EAST over the mountains and hopefully using them , standard class upfront the grid, then club and 18 m.
First expected launch at 1.30 PM.

Club class; 238.67 km….The French girls were on a mission, for sure initiated by TC Eric. Alizee went 8 minutes before Louise and Aude and “paved” the way. Daily result; number 1[Alizee] with 105 km./h, -2 Louise] and 3 [Aude] on this last flying day.
The bigger result, the goal of their mission; a new WORLD CHAMPION and yes they succeeded. Louise won but only with 45 points on Czech Michaela.
Aude and Alizee were overall on a 6th and 10th place.
GOOD from Argentinian pilot Paula[ Drazul] she was 4th on this last day.

FINAL RESULTS IN CLUB CLASS; after 8 out of 12 days.[1 was a rest day for all classes on July 7 ]
1. Louise Rodriguez from France in LS7 with 6,485 points and WORLD CHAMPION.
2. Michaela Krizova from Czech Rep. in LS 4 with 6,440 p.
3. Daniela Wilden from Germany in LS& WL with 6,371 p.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

Standard class; 321.94 km….with a speed of 124 km./h Marilyne and Aude won the day for 831 and 827 points. Barbora was on a daily spot 8 but only lost 32 points. She is the new WORLD CHAMPION . She only won day 1 [task 1] but flew very consistent!!! Good on her!
Dutch Lizzy finished on spot 11, after 2 off days , but winning 2 days on her first participation. CHAPEAU!!!!

FINAL RESULTS IN STANDARD CLASS: after 10 out of 12 days.
1. Barbora Moravcova from Czech Rep in LS8 with 8,704 points and WORLD CHAMPION.
2. Aude Untersee from France in Discus 2A with 8,656 p.
3.  Marilyne Abadie-Bérard from France in Discus 2A with 8,605 p.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

18m class; 381.22 km…with 142 km./h the French girls Anne and Melanie in their JS 3 won the day. This way they could count on a spot 2 and 3 at the podium, as Alena was overall too far ahead already.
The Czech girls went 3 minutes ahead of the French girls.[3.50 PM]
All 12 started and finished and at 7.22 PM. Liz was the last participant of this WWGC to finish but IN.

FINAL RESULTS IN 18m. CLASS; after 10 out of 12 days.
1. Alena Netusilova from Czech Rep. in JS 3 with 8,885 points and WORLD CHAMPION!!!
2. Mélanie Gadoulet from France in JS 3 with 8,571 p.
3. Anne Ducarouge from France in JS 3 with 8,459 p.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL.

The final notes from; British Gliding Team
“Well folks, that’s a wrap. WWGC 2023 is over and what a ride it’s been. Our hosts have been fabulous, the organisers and adjudicators have done everything they could to make this a great competition. And Spain? It’s like a gift that keeps giving, stunning scenery and capable of providing some amazing gliding. Thank you to all involved.
Importantly, let’s look at how the team got on. We finished 4th overall out of 14 nations represented.
1st – Czech Republic 896.67 points
2nd- France 881.85 points
3rd – Germany 790.02 points.
4th – Great Britain 750.30 points.
Well done to all the countries and our team members.

But here’s a thing, the three nations that beat us have heavyweight funding from government or national sports bodies including the provision of their gliders in some cases. With that kind of backing, it’s quite possible that that for the Women’s British Gliding Team the sky would be the limit. Just a thought…
So it’s closing ceremony time, and then a sprint to the ports to get back to the wonderful British weather.”

Looking back[ personal opinion] ; It’s maybe too much to say that flying in a big team HELPS. I have seen that it helps, but if you are with 3 in bad lift or have the wrong trace you can loose or be out with 3 as well.
A very experienced TC and personal weatherman and lot’s of crew help as well.
I was a bit disappointed in the German and UK team. They have big teams too and some very good pilots, but it did not show, though of course the German team won a bronze medal.
Have a look at the full overall scores on www.soaringspot.com
Looking at Dutch Lizzy, all by herself with great help of her parents and doggy ….she proofed you can perform well, when you want too, and she wanted it. She was unlucky too, during this comps , but got over it. Good on her!!!!!

Last but not least…..Where would the girls be without their TC. Important job.

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Issoudun 2023
7 July 2023 – 15 July 2023

On Wednesday they got small tasks under 200 km. but the weather decided to not even “give” them a small window. So the day was cancelled.
3 tasks till now and 3 days to go. BUT,…...the showers left and the weather became GOOD.
On July 13 they had a big task;
Multi class; 503.73 km….Australia, South Africa, the UK and France on the 4 top places; Matthew Scutter on the daily spot 1 with 119.77 km./h His 3d win!!!
Philip who flies together with Matthew and probably learns a lot, with 119.78 km/.h but a small penalty for a too high start. Both fly JS 3.
Henry in the LS 8 and 2 French pilots Daniel [AS 33es] and Philippe [LS8] with equal points , all flew over 100 km./h.
Shaun, did not start anymore, so 19 started and 14 finished. But all of them flew over 400 km.
On July 14 the penultimate day, with a 2 hour AAT and a very challenging day! UK Tom in his LS 8 flew 166 km with a speed of 70 km./h. Matthew had problems ,[ but still was 4th for the day], as you can read in his blog , so had 7 others as they did not finish.

Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
“The even later starters very surprisingly pipped us overall, somehow managing to get back cleanly almost at 7pm, but the overalls remain strong and I have a very defensible lead of 400pts going into the final day, which we think is likely a scrub.” on the penultimate day …. full story in his blog.

On the 15th, last day, they did not fly so out of 9 days they flew 5.
Final results in the multi class;
1. Matthew Scutter in JS 3/18m from Australia with 4,205 points.
2. Henry Inigo-Jones in LS 8 from the UK with 3,776 p.
3. Philip Jonker in JS 3/18m from South Africa with 3,685 p.

July 13;
Club class; 351.63 km……so a good day for the clubbies as well. 16 Started and 14 finished! Daily winner with a speed of 100.66 km./h was George Downing from the UK starting at 3.37 PM. Runner up was Tim with a later start at 2.04 PM;91.31 km./h
On July 14 the NATIONAL day in France they had a 1.30 AAT. Robin Selfslagh [LS1-f-neo] from Belgium was the daily winner with 131 km speed 65 km./h .He moved from spot 6 to 4 overall missing out on FOUR/4 points to be at the podium.
13 started and 9 were IN.
Off day for Italian pilot Lapo Alessandro Busi in his ASW 20; out after 47 km and dropping from an overall spot 2 to 5. Feel sorry for him.
Final results in the club class;
1. Tim Milner from the UK in LS3 with 3,433 points.
2. Oliver Ramsay from the UK in ASW 19B with 3,104 p.
3. George White from the UK in ASW 20 with 3,056 p.

They had a guest in Issoudun. A solar glider.
“ Sol.Ex is a solar electric glider developed by Jean-Baptiste Loiselet in a philosophy of sustainable sailing: it is the ” electric bicycle ” of sailing.
He left Saint-Rémy de Provence and after 3 stages in total energy autonomy thanks to his FES system and his solar panels, he stopped in Issoudun to present his innovative and pioneering project to us.”
https://www.desaillespourlaplanete.fr

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UK Nationals in 18 and 20 m.
Husbands Bosworth
8 July 2023 – 16 July 2023

Wednesday ,July 12 they were hopeful in the UK as well. But NO, it was not happening. CANCELLED!
Only 1 out of 7 days till now. NO task was set for July 14. Such a pity!
I wonder if they can fly on July 15 and 16 their last days!
More next week, WHEN they still fly.

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Looking ahead to AUGUST 2023!

CU again on our normal appointment on Wednesday.
Cheers Ritz
FINALLY I found a picture from the Czech girls here you are