Post 1.402 on February 1 2023.

Qualifying SGP from Worchester in South Africa.
21 January 2023 – 28 January 2023

They continued with race 3 on January 25, last Wednesday. At that stage ,2 German pilots [ Mathias Schunk and Michael Pfennig] on top with 15 and 13 points and 4 pilots with 11 points; Laurens Goudriaan, Sven Olivier, Erik Borgmann and Oscar Goudriaan.
Race 3; 322.39 km..…AND,….it was UYS who won the 10 points; During the day we read” The pilots have spilt into 3 groups each taking drastically different routes! Which one will be fastest?”
But in the end race 3 was cancelled.
Reason;”Following an accident during Race 3 of the Qualifying Sailplane Grand Prix of South Africa in Worcester, well-known German Pilot Mathias Schunk unfortunately had an accident while racing with other pilots along the ridges.
Mathias has been able to communicate with the local organisation and his wife Pia shortly after the accident. He was retrieved by Helicopter and transported to the Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town where he was diagnosed with a fractured L2 vertebra.
Mathias is in good spirit. He is very grateful for the support he has received, and we are all looking forward to seeing him back in the air soon.” as written by the organizers.
Mathias had a bad landing, was saved by SAR [Their story below] who had to land at the mountain and as Mathias said himself “I had what felt like at least 1 million guardian angels helping me“.” .

Race 3; again on January 26 339 km..…cancelled.
Race 3; now on January 27; 420.65 km…..After only 2 flying days due to weather and circumstances, the pilots had to get in the racing mood again to fly this penultimate race.
With 142 km./h it turned out a pretty good day, for all except of course Mathias in hospital, as he would have loved to defend his spot 1 overall. But he will recover totally so good to hear, even better!!!
Winner was Uys with as runners up Katrin [Senne] and Laurens with 141 km./h.
3 new overall toppers now; Laurens and Oscar both with 15 points and ONE day to go!!!!
BUT…Mathias had already 15 points as well……so he is still on 1 too.

Race 4 on January 28, very last day;
NOT GOOD NEWS...”Unfortunately due to low cloud and rain, today has been Cancelled. Prize giving will be held later today.”
The MAGIC left Worcester, with only 3 days of soaring, but will be back next season!!!!!
As they did not fly Mathias “lost” no points by not flying, so there are 3 winners with 15 points; Laurens, Oscar and Mathias.
Good on them!!!!

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WAGA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Beverley
20 January 2023 – 28 January 2023

With 27 pilots this West Australian State competition had a lot of participants even MORE gliders/pilots than in the Nationals. Something to think about.
They had already 4 out of 5 days [ day 1 was cancelled] and all were 3 hour AAT’s.
Task 1 was more than challenging, in many ways, with late starts after 3 PM and several “punishments” for airspace and exceeding start height .
Only 1 pilot managed to finish. Andrew Herwig in an 18m. Ventus 2CX. He flew 279 km in time 2.27. Norm Bloch flew a bit more [289 km] but did not finish.
Task 2 had better conditions NO penalty points and 3 toppers which could be the final 3 toppers; Greg Beecroft in LS 8, Don Woodward in Ventus 2B and Norm in JS 3/15m. Speed from Greg was 139 km./h over 421 km.
Task 3 Greg,Norm and Don were the top 3 with Greg as daily winner with 415 km and 126 km./h.
We continue with
Task 5 on January 25; 3 hour AAT and the weather looked like this.
They had to wait for a long time , but then they could go around 4 o’clock.
They still flew 326 km with a speed of 97 km./h. That was Norm[1000 points] who won the day with Don [981p]and Greg [933 p]not too far behind him. Only 18 started and 3 were “out”.

Task 6; 3 hour AAT,.….AND, very interesting the Geerlings family on top of the daily results .
Arnold as winner in the ASH 25E, with 362 km in time 3.09 and as runner up Joshua in the JS 1 [18m] with 352 km in time 3. 03.
Norm and Greg were on 3 and 4 and Don on 6.
Overall with 2 days to go; Norm,[4.571] Greg [ 4.283]and Don [4.039] and then Joshua.[3.776]
Task 7 on January 27…penultimate day…..3 hour AAT....and,…..Greg really went for the title. He had the best speed [handicapped] in his LS 8 over 413 km; 136 km./h. Norm was a tad faster in 15 m. the JS 3.
1000 and 955 points for them. But the lead from Norm is huge; 5.526 for 5.283 points.
Task 8; 3 hour AAT..…VERY LAST DAY..….Don also still in the race, when one of the 2 in front of him would outland on this last day, won the day 430 km. in time 3.18; speed 130 km./h. But the toppers did not outland….Norm was runner up and Greg 3d.
Overall scores after 7 out of 8 days;
1. Norm Bloch in JS3/15 m. with 6.441 points.
2. Greg Beecroft in LS8 with 6.152 p.
3. Don Woodward in Ventus 2B with 5.767 p.

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NZ multi class Nationals
Omarama…… 20 January 2023 – 28 January 2023

Pretty good conditions there in NZ on the South Island, in the end, meaning 7 out of 9 days.
Open class;
Task 7; Last Thursday they had another 2 hour AAT.
Keith [Essex] flew 304 km in time 2.53. He went for a longer time but also nearly 100 km further, something which is no problem for his ASG 32MI.
The last 2 days had to be cancelled,…NO weather to fly a task….
“ Unfortunately there is no task for today (the last day of the competition).”
Well, there was a CLEAR winner anyhow…here are the final scores
1. Keith Essex in ASG 32MI with 6.661 points!!!!!!
2. Derek Kraak in ASW 29E with 5.844 p.
3. Dickinson & Harrison sharing a Ventus 2CT with 5.251 p.

Racing class;
After his “off-day” earlier with an out landing in his LS 8, Tony [Van Dyke ] straightened his back and went full throttle on to the next day.
task 7; 2 hour AAT . And,…..he won….226 km in time 2.28. He won 142 points on Terry [Jones] in the other LS 8, but still needs 53 to be on top overall again.
On January 27 the task was cancelled, same on January 28.
“Despite the really striking looking wave cloud to the north west of us, there is way too much moisture in the atmosphere as you can see from the satellite picture. The conditions are going to get wetter as the day goes on so No Competition Flying Today.”
Overall scores for RACING CLASS;
1. Davy & Wallace in the Duo Discus with 5.502 points,
2. Tony van Dyk in LS 8 with 5.449 p. No possibility anymore to catch up…..
3. Terry Jones in LS 8 with 5.142 p.

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9th Club class Nationals in Argentina
Pigüé….16 January 2023 – 27 January 2023

Last Wednesday they were on Task 9 on January 25, with 3 men still in the race to be champion;
Jose Dentone 4.156 points, Javier Gaude with 4.146 and Felipe Girado with 4.124.
Task 9; 1.30 AAT……Quite a few flew over 130 km. Starts between 3.15 PM and 4.04 PM. Start games as in waiting for the best time to go on track. AND,…a day with great differences in scores but for some luckily the best score was “only ” 395 daily points.
A new face at the podium; Guillermo Spolita in an LS4. From the toppers “only” Javier did well on spot 2. Jose was 12th but only lost 87 points on the winner. Felipe was 17 th.
The brothers Goldenzweig 18th and 24th.
Task 10; 2 hour AAT ……and a great result for Damian and Lucas winning and nearly winning the penultimate day!!!! They started together and flew together and the difference in points was 2 on this day; 600 and 598.
Javier was 4th, Jose 11th and Felipe 13th.
Task 11; 3 hour AAT..…LAST DAY..…and another new face at the podium , this time Dino Ghioni in the ASW 20. He flew 344 km in time 3.02, speed of 113 km./h.
What happened with Javier, Jose and Felipe?????
Javier was runner up and flew himself in his DG 200 to the CHAMPION TITLE.
Jose was 5th, lost 40 points but as scores were close he dropped to spot 2 with only 16 points difference.
Felipe was 6th and hold on, on his 3d spot.
Final overall club class score after 8 out of 12 days;
1. Javier Gaude in DG 200 with 6.075 points
2. Jose Dentone in ASW 20 with 6.059 points.
3. Felipe Girado in ASW 20 with 5.908 points.
Lucas and Damian stayed on spot 6 and 7.

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Not such good news from Temora, …..in my opinion, a great place for soaring. At Temora the NSW State comps were supposed to be flown.
“As most of us already know, Work Safe Australia, in an extraordinary decision, effectively closed Temora Airport for all events and so Narromine Gliding Club was asked by the NCC and SDP to hold the NSW State Comps at Narromine from the 4th to 12th of February 2023.”

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As every year after the season, statistics from flying in the 2022/2023season in Namibia.
Busiest airfield according to the OLC.
1. BITTERWASSER; was the busiest again with 114 guests, flying 709.630,07 km., during 852 flights.
2. VERONICA; great runner up with 89 guests, flying 455.248,77km., during 577 flights.
3. KIRIPOTIB; 96 guests, flying 433.274,31km., during 632 flights.
4. POKWENI; 36 guests , flew 253.311,75km., during 345 flights.

All OLC flights , ….best for the season;
1. Elmar Erik Fischer[Germany] who flew between October 29 2022 and January 21 2023, from Bitterwasser ,a total of 35.448,42 km. during 56 flights in the ARCUS M. ; 315.13 hours
2. Nicolas Bennet from the USA….29.601,05 km, during 42 flights . Between November 9 2022 till December 31 2022 from Bitterwasser and then from January 2 till 23 in 2023 from Worchester in South Africa; 255.04 hours in the ARCUS M.

Longest OLC- flight;
1.879,95 km. by Jean Marc Perrin in a DG 808/15 m!!!!!! Flight was on December 3 in 2022. He flew in Argentina from the airport of Jose De San Marino.
By the way Jean Marc flew in his DG 808 /15 m another spectacular flight last week on January 24 ;
1.415, 73 km. also from Jose De San Mart in Argentina.

Champions OLC- plus;
1. Tobias Welsch with 8696,15 points
2. Guy Bechtold with 8286,57 p.
3. Bernd Dolba with 8082,12 p.

Kiripotib also said FAREWELL;
“Time flies … the season has ended. We would like to thank you for all the great moments and your trust in Kiripotib Soaring. We look forward to welcoming you again next year in Namibia. “
Book your gliding vacation for 2023/24 now: www.kiripotib-soaring.com/en/contact/

When you have time and money, Namibia is the best place for long-distance-flying.

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AND,……Great picture between 2 Cells from Marie-Christine in the ASG32 with her husband Mathias, flying from Lake Keepit. In the gliding season Jacques Graells organizes always “Lake Keepit Grands Prix” and not only club members also other clubs as Bathurst and Narromine participate there.Lot’s of fun and great camaraderie , as I am used to at Keepit.

—–Slowly we are looking ahead at the new season in 2023.
So do the French, here is their announcement for the next French Club Class Nationals.
AND, The famous well attended HAHNWEIDE competition.

—-News from Rieti;
CIM competition dates: 1-11 August
CCR competition dates: 14-22 August
Promozione: 14-20 Agosto
aeroclubrieti.it/w/?cat=324

—–COROWA is active again with Keith now as “the new boss”. They host the 20 m NATIONALS from February 18-25.
When you are interested; https://soarcorowa.com/20m-two-seat-nationals-2023/

—–-360km in January. Many great flights today but with an early start Andy Davis managed this one.
https://bgaladder.net/FlightDetails/106066
He was launched from Nympsfield in the UK and flew his JS 3 No secret,…he is a top pilot as well.
“With an 80km ridge, if you know where to go, some great flying is possible from Nympsfield.”

CU next week. AND,….absolutely WONDERFUL, to see that Jochen and Stefan are flying the Duo Discus together in Tocumwal. LONG- long-time die-hard Toc.- fans. Enjoy to the fullest, guy’s!!!!!
Cheers Ritz


The FULL SAR report, to learn from; published at most media and as ALL went well except for Mathias’ lower back injuries, I share it too for when you missed it ; Mountain Club of SA – Search And Rescue………HUGE COMPLIMENTS for them.

“A foreign gliding competition pilot participating in the African leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix was rescued from high up a Western Cape mountain after his sailplane crashed (Wednesday, 23/1/25). Speaking from his bed in the hospital, he said that he was very fortunate to survive the close call and thanked the professional and efficient rescue coordinated by the South African ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre).

It is understood that the pilot got into difficulties overhead the mountains West of Villiersdorp and was able to put the fixed-wing glider down on a steep slope some distance below the top of the peaks. Fellow pilots (also participating in the competition) that saw the crash raised the alarm with Air Traffic Control, which in turn activated the ARCC. This information and the location sent by the pilots’ onboard satellite tracking device, which pinpointed the exact crash location, assisted in guiding the Western Cape Department of Health EMS/Air Mercy Service (AMS) rescue helicopter directly to the scene.

With no level terrain to land at the scene, a Provincial EMS paramedic and MSAR Rescue Climber were hoisted down by the helicopter to the wreckage. The pilot (who was conscious and managed to provide additional information via phone) was extracted from the wreckage and hoisted in a stretcher into the helicopter. He was flown to a Villiersdorp sports field, where Western Cape Metro EMS, SAPS Rescue, Overberg Metro Rescue management, and SAPS Villiersdorp assembled to prepare and secure a landing zone for further treatment and remain available should further resources to support the first team be required. Several other resources, including SARZA and K9 was also on standby. The pilot was admitted to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital with lower back injuries. He commented, “under the circumstances, I feel surprisingly well; I had what felt like at least 1 million guardian angels helping me”.

He remarked that his survival is in no small part due to the cockpit of the Jonker sailplane that he was flying protecting him during the crash. Jonker Sailplanes is a proudly South African company that designs sailplanes for local and international markets (in fact, all the sailplanes participating in this leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix were manufactured by Jonker manufactured).

The scene has been handed to the SAPS and SACAA AIID (Accident and Incident Investigations Division) for further investigation.

The South African ARCC is the legally mandated function (South African Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue Act No.44 of 2002, as amended) that coordinates all aviation search and rescue-related occurrences in South Africa. The ARCC reports to SASAR and the Department of Transport. Under international aviation agreements and ICAO regulations, the South African ARCC is responsible for aviation incidents extending South of South Africa across the international waters in the Southern Oceans down to the South pole. The Mountain Club of SA, along with many other emergency response organisations, is a dedicated SAR Unit to the ARCC.

Post 1.401 on January 25 2023.

2023 NATIONALS at WAIKIRIE.

Task 6 at day 9 of the Nationals showed a set task of 371 km. for open class. With a start at 1PM , Matthew and Pete left to race over the distance. With around 120 km./h they were back in 2.40; Matthew got 875 points and Pete 798.
Nearly the end of the comps, so start-games were played;
“A day of defending for me at the Nationals. Taylor departed first with two others, with the thermals great & to a decent height at the start time, I thought it was better to start 5 min behind him, rather than worry about Peter Temple & Matty Scutter behind me. My thinking was that if I get caught up in any sort of game with them, then Taylor will get the day win & be rewarded with his early start decision.
Unfortunately Matt & Peter are cunning & played the same on me, which linked Taylor & myself up – easy climbs marked all day.” more on Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures
Adam was 3d and Bruce 6th.
Task 7; 3 hour AAT,… Bruce was one of the 2 who flew over 100 km./h over 324 km. The other one was Lumpy in his Quintus; 105 km./h. He flew 315 km.
Bruce went as last on track and won the day.
Adam; “The scores are tied, it’s time for the big one! Scutter, Taylor & I are separated by 38-48 points going to the last day, fortunately it’s me in #1 spot atm, & they need to effectively fly further than me. I’m up for it Kasansky.”

As already mentioned by Adam, Matthew has chances too ;”second place for the day, which brings me within a whisker of first with one day to go.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
Bruce; ‘Today was a day of chasing sunshine and dodging shadows. This was in air that was quite similar to yesterday, as in blue and a bit crappy, but with less wind. The tricky bit was that we had bands of cirrus pushing in overhead, and the trigger temperature was critical enough to have the shadowed areas quit.”
Taylor’s Gliding Page

Task 8 VERY LAST DAY….383 km; and WHATADAY!!!!!

AND….his last story on the same site. What an effort and believe in himself.
Here is the NATIONAL CHAMPION ; MATTHEW SCUTTER.
“It’s all over – the last day forecast was a ripper and I knew I needed to deliver something special.
With both Bruce and Woolley in strong contention and Pete nearby there was no way to cover everyone and the only solution was to ditch everyone and go for a big day win.
I’ve been ‘working hard’ on relaxing in the glider because previously I’d land exhausted and burnt out every day from being tensed up and focused the entire flight, but there was no relaxing allowed today – I dosed myself to the eyeballs on caffeine and sugar, tanked the glider to the gunnels and aimed to just keep running at cloudbase and hope Wool and Bruce pushed too hard.
I made some fake starts and waited and waited until everyone left so I had the sky to myself, then cruised 110kts all day and only took 6kts, never getting out of touch with the clouds.
I’ve learnt a lot this week from some excellent competitors who’ve kindly punished me every time I blinked, and I’m very thankful to Waikerie Gliding Club, Mandy, Peter and many others involved in the organisation who ran a dream competition. We had almost the perfect task for every day, almost no outlandings and no hassle at all.”

So you have read Matties view on this last day which he started with 44 points less than Adam.
He “got” 846 points for this “coup”….speed 146 km.
In the end Bruce was runner up with a speed of 147 km./h.
Adam lost quite a lot of points on this last day. He dropped from 1 to 3, being 7th on the last day , he was 7th and “got” 579 points.
He started his day full of energy and hope “ Last day, let’s roll” Had a solid start at the correct time,7n kts, 7000 ft. kept pushing also after not the best lift under good looking clouds, though he had to dig himself out, and we know that costs time . In the end,…..”easy day, freaking awesome day, but I lost it“.
“If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. My debrief on the day I lost the nationals, I think you’ll enjoy it – I’m still smiling, laughing, that’s racing.” he said on his last video to his RACEFANSSSSS………!!!!!in Waikirie.
Great when you are a gracious “loser”! Unlucky, but still looking ahead of making the team. He should be in it….
Bruce was runner up.
Bruce:’It was a smoking last day, and the best fun of the competition. Initially we had a 500km flight set, then it seemed to be very slow starting so we flew the B task of 385km. Once it fired up it improved very quickly… not super high at just over 8,000 feet, but the climbs were big and strong, and generally beautifully smooth. South, then east, north then home. What a ride!
Matthew Scutter had a great day, enough to jump into first place overall for another nationals title. I just pipped him in raw speed but stayed in second place for the day and overall. Sadly Adam had a low spot and it took enough time to get up and running to drop him back into third place overall. He’s been flying so consistently all competition and I was sorry to see him finish on a bit of a low note. It was the only day he was really off the pace all fortnight.”

Overall scores from this NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP;
1. Matthew Scutter in Diana 2 FES /15 m. with 5.932 points.
2. Bruce Taylor in ASG 29 E /18m. with 5842 p.
3. Adam Woolley in Ventus 3T/15 m. with 5.703 p.

Only 4 pilots finished the Nationals in sport class and as expected David Collins won in his ASW 20 with Bernie Sizer as runner up in the PIK 20; 5.773 points for 5.444 p.
David won 5 from 8 flying days out of 11 in total ,Bernie 2.

Thank you to Adam, Bruce and Matthew for sharing their “at the field” stories!!!

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Good news for female pilot Reiko from Japan;
“The experienced gliding instructor, professionally a helicopter pilot, has already traveled to almost every gliding destination on the globe, from Australia to Argentina and South Africa as well as the French Alps.
During her first flight experience in Namibia, she was surprised by the consistently very good cross-country flight opportunities. Reiko was flying an Arcus M mostly as a single-seater, and also in the club class version: fixed landing gear and no water ballast.
All the more impressive the flight performance of the petite Japanese without fear or reproach.“
On the last day of her 2 -week-stay in Veronica, on January 16, she flew a new Japanese 770 FAI triangle-female-record!!!
Good on her! Congratulations.

The flight was just before the end of the Namibian season ;
“The Bitterwasser season 2022/2023 is history.
This morning the last container with airplanes was picked up in Bitterwasser.
Between October 29th and January 23rd 856 flights (856 times “have fun” on the radio) with a total of 709,000 route kilometers were flown.
299 flights greater than 1000 km
2 x > 1400 km; 20 x > 1300 km; 48 x > 1200 km; 87 x > 1100 km
and a lot of flights that were just fun.
All this without any accidents and without any damage to the planes.
Many thanks to all pilots, guests and staff who contributed to this.
We are already looking forward to the season 2023/2024.“
Also the Pokweni gliders are in the containers.
Next year they all come back to Namibia after such a great year.
More stats in next weeks blog.

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Western Cape Regionals;

Weird weather in Worcester during these comps. 2 Days were cancelled, though a few flew nice distances and speed; on January 16, 3 from the 6 flying pilots that day, flew over 350 km. with a speed over 145 km./h for ZERO points. Task was a 2.30 AAT.
You would think a de-valuated day …..not cancelled….
So I decided to check with Sven about these zero points for nice distances. A simple answer; “the day was canceled before the gate opened – thereafter the weather improved and a few of us flew the task. This happened on the other two days as well.”
Well that says it all.
On January 18 a 476 km distances was set , task 5 and this time nobody finished , though Sven and Laurens tried hard and flew just over 110 km. That was it. No points.
January 19, task 6, had another long distance; 479 km. , only 7 pilots started and 5 finished the task…..for points this time.
Laurens won with 162 km./h. Andreas was faster , 169 km./h, but was punished for a low finish.
January 20 task 7 with 494 km.....LAST DAY!!!!! Another interesting last day with Laurens on 1 overall, 2.286 points, followed by Andreas with 2.135 p and Sven with 2.105.
These 3 pilots are going to decide who will be the winner from Cape Gauntlet Cup.
Guest Andreas was the winner of this last day and consolidated his overall runner- up- spot ; speed a whopping 171 km./h
Laurens won the day and the comps ;3.180 points and Andreas had 3.090 p. and Sven 2.990. He was 4th on the last day.
Laurens will fly the South African Qualifying Grand Prix in Worcester, straight after this competition. So does Andreas, Peter [Farrel] and Sven. They had great practice.
In 15 m. Findlay Smith [15 m. Ventus b]was the clear winner with 3.550 points more than 600 points on runner up Tokkie [Pieter Carstens] in LS 4.
In club the scores were CLOSE; USA pilot Brad Jackson won in his Ventus 2CM/18 m [handicap 120] with 8 points over Kevin Mitchell in DG 400/17m.
2 young men Wozniak & Groenwald, shared an Astir CS 77 and deserved, 1.117 points.

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The South African Qualifying round of the Sailplane Grand Prix at
Worcester will be held from the 22nd to the 28th of January 2023.

Also in Worcester this qualifying SGP, series IX with 12 participating pilots in 18 m. class.
You can follow the action on
https://glideandseek.com
Practice race ; Saturday January 21…...484 km
Uys showed his skills with a speed of 161 km/h. Oscar was runner up and our Dutch guest Erik Borgmann was 3d.
Race 1 on January 22;412 km….. Great race , with a regatta start at 13.44 and 5 pilots , from 10 starting, with about the same speed; between 143 and 145 km./h. Winning team , 1 and 2, was from Germany, Michael Pfennig and Mathias Schunk with Erik just behind them , then Oscar and Laurens.
Uys was unlucky with some penalty points for a too high start [56 sec]
“Fun first race at the SGP in South Africa. We saw great ridge riding and an exciting finish.“

Race 2; 549 km…..10 started and 10 finished the longish task. With 147 km./h Sven won the day; 10 points in the pocket. Good on him. As always there were some “mistakes” as a too low finish, a missed finish and a too early start.
Runner up was German pilot Lorenz Dierschk in JS1.
Laurens was 3d , Oscar 5th and Erik 6th.
“The 2nd race of the South Africa #SGP was fun with Oscar Goudriaan and Sven Olivier managing to take the lead. With the penalties, it is Sven who is winning the day.”
Full results at southafrica23.sgp.aero
January 24; was cancelled.
Race 3 ; 412.41 km is today, so next time the rest of thisSGP.

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The CLUB CLASS NATIONALS in ARGENTINA.
16 January 2023 – 27 January 2023

They did not have the best weather there in Pigüé. The pilots continued, but flew over the first 4 days only 1 task, on January 19, which was won as you can still see in my last blog by Jose Dentone.
Then another off-day, but January 21 showed a 2.30 AAT [task 6 on flying day 3] and the daily winner was again Jose…..245 km in 2.29; speed 98 km./h.
44 Pilots started and 2 were “out”.
Task 7 ; 2.30 AAT….changed in 2 hour AAT….and,…again Jose was the best. He flew 250 km. with a speed of 121 km./h.
In between Lucas and Damian moved up , after a daily spot 5 and 6, to an overall spot on 6 and 7.
Javier Gaude and Felipe Girado, familiar names , are on 2 and 3 overall, after 7 days and 4 tasks in total.
Task 8; 3 hour AAT....From 46 there are 40 pilots still in the race and 3 were out this day. A 1000 points-
day and those points were for Javier; 321 km in time 3.03; 105 km./h.
Jose, still on 1 overall was 7th [873 points]
Yesterday they had no task. More next week.

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New Zealand National Multi class championships.
Omarama
20 January 2023 – 28 January 2023

Quite a few championships at the moment. Here we go with N.Z.
On January 20 , 6 pilots started in open and 5 in racing class.
OPEN;
Task 1; 2 hour AAT..…283 km for Keith Essex in the fancy ASG 32 and the very best speed of all; 134 km./h. On day 1 already nearly 160 points ahead.
“AATs have been set for both classes. There is a front coming though soon and we’re gridding for a late afternoon launch with a 60% to 70% (depending who you ask) chance that we’ll get to fly the task. “
Task 2; 371.88 km....with 131 km./h. Keith won day 2 as well, after a rather late start.
Task 3; 3.30 AAT….500 km flown by ….Keith…. speed 134 km./h and number 1 again. Max Stevens was unlucky….out after 450 km.
Task 4; 2.30 AAT…..”Today the task setters are expecting it will take a while for the cloud base to lift so there is a later start with launching expected at 14:30.”
And indeed Keith started at 15.25, but no worries he still flew 368 km with a speed of 144 km./h. Back just before 6 PM for dinner.
Task 5; 389 km…..5 still in the race. Keith won, but was not the fastest as the ASH 25 flown by “a few” [Morgan & Hamilton & Oakley] was 1 km./h faster but had on handicap [114] less points.
Keith started as the last pilot at 14.45.
The lead from Keith is growing and growing; more than 600 points and 4 days to go.

Task 6; 2.30 AAT…..indeed a bit boring but also very strong flying of Keith;1000 points for 343 km flying with a speed of 118 km./h.

Racing class…..please look at www.soaringspot for more about their scores.
In short…..on task 2 Tony Van Dyke won in his LS 8; 350 km…speed 107 km./h.
Task 3 ;3.30 AAT …won by Tony again 423 km…… speed 120,80 km./h. 4 pilots flying and 3 were in.
Task 4; 2.30 AAT and 319 km in his LS 8 for Tony . He is leading overall now with more than 250 points. Good on him. It’s quite a long time ago that I met him for the last time . Though he lives already for ages in N.Z. he still spoke decent Dutch.
Task 5; 280 km....Like Keith in open , Tony is winning often in this class, as he did today; 101.92 km./h.
Task 6; 2.30 AAT and ouch Tony was out after 104 km whilst Terry flew flew 249 km in time 2.33. He lost more than 500 points…….

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Some long flights, seem to just happen.
Normally you prepare, find the best option for a strong departure ,and a strong area to fly in weather-wise ,to reach the best result.
This is what happened to MASTER KILOMETER EATER Klaus Ohlman; 1.426 km. with a speed of 149 km./h. in the Antares 20. This time it was more ad hoc, no worries, he knows all wave-areas and all mountains.
He flew from La Cerdanya in Spain.
Gil Souviron started from Perpignan and flew in the STEMME 12, 1.380 km.
“between the decision to fly home and a very nice day in the Pyrennees there are always the adventurer is winning. So, to try something new, I decided to fly downstream at the end of the day to the famous airfield of Fuentemilanos. No regrets, tomorrow, I will try to go home with other means of transports, taking the trailer and make the long journey to get the glider home again. Great thanks for my friends, GiIl, who gave me the motivation, to use this beautiful day. Joan, who helped me so early in the morning and alerted his friends in Fuente. Phantastic day, nice evening with new friends, thanks Miguel,, and a lot of new stories to tell.
Great thanks as well for all the controllers who allowed to use their airspaces.” by Klaus.
Pierre de Broqueville used the same air/wave , started at St Gaudens in his EB 29DR, but had a more than bumpy ride;”20 m/s sink and then again 10 m. lift. Brrrr what a contrast “. He is a very experienced Pyrenees pilot.

More than enough news .
The WAGA state comps , in Beverley Australia are in full swing with 27 pilots, a lot for a regional competition and good pilots as well. What about Norm Bloch, Don Woodward and Greg Beecroft.
More next week.

Cheers Ritz

POST 1.400 on January 18 2023.

2023 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS from WAIKIRIE.
10 January 2023 – 21 January 2023

In 1974 the 14th WGC was flown from Waikirie. George Moffat won in open class [Nimbus 2] and Helmut Reichmann in Standard.[LS2]
ZULU ROMEO..GOOD START, the video on you tube of this WGC is still famous!
Ingo lost the lead here on the last day, after a mechanical problem [airbrakes] . Straight after he was launched in ZR ,he had to land in the relight area again. After looking and repairing the problem, he started again.
Helmut was back after a fast run, not sure if it was fast enough he went for a 2d run,….. for Ingo there was no time for a 2d run. Helmut’s 2d run was slower ,but he still won, 29 points ahead, as his first score was the fastest. Scoring in those years was slower and pretty inefficient due to cameras and barographs.
Helmut’s extra run was not necessary ,but it shows how he eager he was to win his 2d title.
By the way for George it was the 2d title as well.
They both won already in 1970 in Marfa in Texas.
ZR has been on line for many years at Sportavia [SSC]

Back to Waikirie NOW!

OPEN /18m CLASS:
TASK 1; 1.45 AAT.…
The first day …January 11….showed in the end participation of all 11 pilots and smiling faces from the winners in open/18 m ,Adam [Woolley] …..Freakin cool glider, still can’t believe I own it. In 15m config, it just talks to me, carries the water so effortlessly & handles so beautifully, a little rocket ship …..and Matthew [Scutter] ….”when I started everyone else had left. I made good use of the storm convergence, took a few 4kts to keep the flight low risk, and got home with a respectable speed”….both flying in a 15 m configuration.
Adam called it a fantastic/sensational day, after they first thought they had to cancel the day.
“161kph!! And to think that we almost scrubbed today, turned out to be amazing” . They “found” between 7 kts and 11 kts, en route.
Craig Vinall, a local “hero” was 3d in his 18 m. AS 33es.
They all started after 3 PM.
Task 2; 255 km.…Bruce must have thought…I have an 18 m glider [ASG 29e],….. so I fly an 18 m. glider, anyhow if these were his thoughts I don’t know, but he won the day;112 km./h. and a rather early start.[15.06, Pete started half an hour later]]
Runner up was Pete who had already a great practice period behind him in Gawler and Matthew and Adam in their 15m conversion-gliders the Diana 2FES and the VENTUS 3T.
Pete and Lumpy were the last to go on track.{15.36]
11 started and 6 finished.
“Extremely challenging day – I was very concerned about the southerly and the influence of the flooded area on the later sections of the task, so I went with the big gaggle and played safe all day. Everything went to worms about sixty kilometres from home and the gaggle almost parked it at Renmark airport – late starter Pete ran into the back of us here and we grovelled away for a slow final glide.
Points defended with minimal risks required, so a satisfactory outcome.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
And daily news on Taylor’s Gliding Page
On Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures you can see and hear his daily update on video. “RACEFANS!!!!!!!!!!“….
Lumpy, also from Tocumwal was last and it is good to hear a comment from a good pilot finishing last, as well.
“Well that didn’t quite go to plan….
Very difficult day yesterday with a lot factors influencing the WX which I didn’t read correctly. There was certainly safety in No’s if the day didn’t go as forecast and the gaggle did really well to get around, especially navigating through the wetlands of Renmark.
My worst ever day result at a Nationals but I will draw from it and reflect on decisions made. I love that this sport can be so rewarding one day and bring you back to earth ( literally) the next, I’ve still got a lot to learn.”

Task 3; 3 hour AAT...so better weather and a good task. BUT,….it’s awful when you prepare for such a start and you have a flat tire!!! That happened to Matthew.
“I had not one but TWO flat tyres this morning during gridding, which caused a bit of excitement and left me launching a bit late and overheated, but thanks to Jack and Mandy I got away with it.
High and fast day, blue locally with cumulus at FL130 on the hills to the west. It was strong enough that I wasn’t concerned about flying alone so I made a start by myself and barely saw anyone the whole day.”
Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
AND,….his first day-win during these Nationals with Adam as runner up and Bruce as number 3.
Matthew; 414 km in 3 hours. Adam about the same 425 km in 3 hours, for 1000 and 982 points.
All 11 started and finished.
AND,…Lumpy was 4th!!!WITH the highest speed however; 144 km./h. over 437 km.
Adam; “Another cracking day at the 18m nationals, loving getting to know the V3 in 15m config, little rocket with great feel! A very close 2nd today to Matty Scoote” more on Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures

“Unfortunately the internet was down at Waikerie which has taken the OGN tower with it, so sadly no live tracking for Day 3 until further notice.“
Task 4; 311 km….”Big windy cu+wave day with a late start and an early and sharp finish, I made a really clean start just about the perfect time of day as cumulus were forming ok track and didn’t give too much away to the wave starters behind me.” as Matthew started his blog, but then it went wrong for him, why and how you can read in Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
Daily winner was Pete with Adam, Lumpy and Bruce following.
Matthew was 7th and lost some points .He got 453, Pete 593
4 Flew with a speed of over 160 km/ph. Lumpy in the Quintus even with 167 km./h.

January 15……REST DAY!!!! Time to “listen” to Lumpy, who after a bad day recovered very well.
“The WX although seemingly looking great ( based on the speeds ) has been very challenging, with shortish tasks, it’s all been about the timing. Picking the right time to start to maximise the best of the conditions. When your racing with pilots who make every second count, leaving to soon or a tad too late will cost you positions.
Over the past two days, we haven’t had flights all under Cu, so it’s been very tricky to work out what part of the flight you’d like in the blue ( cause it’s going to happen ) and how you transition too and from these different air masses loosing the least amount of momentum. It’s been interesting to see the different thoughts and strategy’s as these flights unfold.
The two days have seen me with the fastest times, however the handicap pulls the points to reflect a fair race ( as it should ) but it’s nice to be up there again !“
AND to Bruce;“I tried hard to ignore the booming sky behind me and to make the best of things in front of me. Despite being really high the climbs were not super strong. 7 knots was pretty normal, with one that was 9 for quite a way, but heights were now up around 12,500 feet and it was lovely and cool. Strange to look down and know that it was 42 degrees on the ground!” much more on Taylor’s Gliding Page
After 4 days the overall scores look like this;
1. Bruce with 2.812 points. 2. Adam 2.803 p.3. Matthew 2.705.
An exciting 2d week to go!!!!

2d Week…..
January 16...no flying. Day “canned” as they call it.
January 17; challenging..…would they be able to fly??? Yes they were…..and HOW!!!!
A 2 hour AAT was set and many flew over 300 km and with GREAT SPEED; winner Craig in his AS 33es had a speed of 157 km./h!!!!|
Craig started as last raced over the circuit, passed them all and was back after 2 hours at the dot!!!!!
All 11 started and finished. 4 Pilots flew over 150 km./h. Adam was runner up. Matthew 5th.
Bruce who was 4th mentioned ;“Home safe, another exciting day. The task was near perfectly set (again) and there ensued many and varied ideas about how to approach it.” much more in his Taylor’s Gliding Page
Matthew;“The weather forecasting was trickier than the flying today – approaching front with 45kt gusts expected to go through Waikerie at 2.30pm meant a very small window.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

SPORTS CLASS;
Task 1; 2.15 AAT…..
5 pilots in this class and the winner was David Collins in ASW 20. He flew 260 km. in time 2.17 and had a late start. [15.28] Robert from “the Alice” started an hour earlier, ….after 35 km he was out in his Cirrus. ” First day of the sports class nationals, first day in a paddock for a long time…. Bugger, got it all wrong today.…”
Hopefully many more days to come. Bernie [Seizer] in his PIK 20B was runner up.

Task 2; 2.30 AAT...they all started within 15 minutes but after 3 PM. Bernie won the day flying 247 km in time 2.38,41. David was runner up.
All 6 started and 1 pilot was out.
Task 3; 2.30 AAT….Same task than the day before, but more kilometers flown. Bernie did well again with 287 km in time 2.29. David was runner up again; 800 for 731 points.
Task 4; 208.97 km....It’s either Bernie or David, they are a real match for each other, though David was quite a bit faster during this task; 138 km./h for 119.
January 15; RESTDAY!!!!!
After 4 tasks it is; 1.David with 2.702 points.2. Bernie with 2.655p 3. Sid with 2.365p.

2d Week;
January 16...cancelled, not a good beginning of the last week.
January 17…2 hour AAT….task 5 was again between David and Bernie. David won the day with 276 km with a speed of 125 km./h. Bernie flew 249 km with 117 km./h.
Robert did not start.
January 18, it looks like NO FLYING TODAY IN BOTH CLASSES.

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On January 11 , an other SUPER-Namibia-SOARING-DAY, my friends Patrick and Roy declared and completed 1.267km task with 3 TPs @ 143kph from Bitterwasser!!!
Great result. I am very pleased for them.
“A grand day out today for Patrick Naegeli & I.
We declared a 1.267km polygon and took off at about 1020 and started the task at 1038.
Felt like a hairdryer at the launch point, 15-20kt wind and temperature 33C.
So set the task directly downwind first. A good plan as the wind at altitude dropped from 34kph on the first leg to 18kph in the middle and end of the flight.
We finished at 1932hr so the average speed on the task was 142.4 kilometres per hour.“
Apparently this is the first flight from Bitterwasser over 1.250km., 3 or less turning points which were pre-declared before take-off in a two seat glider. If so,…CONGRATULATIONS and SO DESERVED!!!!
https://www.onlinecontest.org/…/gliding/flightinfo.html…
They flew 1.307 in total and that was NOT enough to top the day.
That spot was for the Twin Shark with Bernd Dolba flying from Veronica; 1.338 km [1.263 FAI TRIANGLE]
AMAZING 5 x a 1300 km flight and many FAI TRIANGLES, what a year!!!!!
It seems the weather predictions are spot-on as well.
Belgian pilot Johan Luyckx flew in a Ventus 2CXM/18 m his 1.250 FAI Diploma!!!!1.297 km with 141 km./h. also from Bitterwasser.
On January 12 another 4 flights over 1.300 km. …..one in a Ventus 2CM/18 m. by Markus Langemann from Pokweni. He started in Pokweni on the 19th of December and flew till now 10 over-1000-km-flights.
34 Over 1000 km-flights in total last Thursday.
On FRIDAY JANUARY 13 only ONE 1000 km flight flown by young Fillip Jonker in his JS 1 from Douglas in S.A.

Yesterday , and it was already January 17 …pretty late in their season, BITTERWASSER still had 6x a 1000 km flight with even an 1.202 in the magic ARCUS M by Bernd [Goretzki] with Florian in the back.
And put 2 top pilots in such an Arcus M, Reinhard [Schramme] and Stefanie [Muhl] and they fly nearly 1.200 km. as well.
4 from the 6 flew an FAI TRIANGLE!!! TOP!!!……Lothar in a Ventus 3M.

KIRIPOTIB, is already slowly starting to look back at their season and what season they ALL had in Namibia.
Could this be the best ever Namibian season???
Eager to find out!!!
“It’s colorful at Kiripotib – we enjoy international flair. This season we were happy to welcome guests from 14 nations: Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Slovakia, Poland, England, Slovenia, Spain, France, USA, Canada, Germany and Austria.

They are still flying. On January 15 they still had 4 over 500 km flights. Yesterday still 2x over 600 km.

It’s nice to see that between all those “power-flights” from Africa, in fancy gliders, you find 2 former top- hang -glider- pilots, flying from Narromine down- under in an ASW 20; Tomas [Suchanek] 723 km and Atilla [Bertok] 692 km/650 FAI triangle .
Both once flew a hang glider competition in Tocumwal with us. It might even have been a world championship??

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The British Women Pilot’s Association handed over in the beginning of this year a Special Recognition Award for 2022 to Liz Sparrow.
“Liz worked tirelessly to ensure WWGC 2022 was a success, giving up her chance to compete for Team GB in order to take on the role of competition director.”
A very much deserved recognition for her hard work. I totally agree!!!!

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The WEST CAPE REGIONALS started on January 14 in 3 classes at Worcester.
Open with 10 pilots amongst them 1 HC. 15 m with 3 and club with 4.
I concentrate on open, but you can find all scores on www.soaringspot.com
On day 1 a task from 426 km was set. An International top 3 for the day. Laurens [Goudriaan] from South Africa as number 1 with 149 km./h.[JS 3] Runner up Andreas Spielmann from Switzerland with 147 km./h [ JS 3] and a strong “combi” in the Arcus from the USA and New Zealand, Nick [Bennet] and John [Coutts] on 3.[ARCUS M]
day 2; 279 km....Sven[84 km./h.] and the STEMME S12-pilots [77 km./h] flew the task, but it turned out an invalid day, as the rest did not fly far enough or did not fly at all.
day 3; 2.30 AAT....5 Pilots flew the task but AGAIN it turned out an invalid day. A pity for the USA/NZ combination in the ARCUS M as they flew 367 km with a speed of 148 km./h.
They , Nicolas and John mentioned ;”Day cancelled again. We flew the task anyway, with a speed of 148kph.” And shared this picture.

Task 4; 2.30 AAT….yesterday…..won by Sven, good on him. Only 7 were scored and only 2 were “in”. Sven and Laurens; both flew 265 km , no they did not start together, as Laurens started about 15 minutes earlier, but they had the same speed106 km./h. and about the same points;535/532.
Sven moved up from 5 to 3 [1.249 p] with a few more days to go and Laurens clearly leads now ;1.416 points. Andreas is in between them with 1.266 p.
All scores still preliminary.

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9th NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP for CLUB CLASS in ARGENTINA
Pigüé…16 January 2023 – 27 January 2023

45 Pilots fly in this Club Class for the National Argentinian title from Pigüé ! Never heard from the field, BUT, never too old to learn.
Task 1; 3 hour AAT….so the “little ones” straight had to go for “a few ” kilometers. And they did!!!!
Well known pilot Javier Gaude was the daily winner in his DG 200 with 343 km in time 3.07, speed 110 km./h.
Then 4 ASW 20 gliders with among them Jose Dentone and 3 LS 4 gliders with p.e. my soaring mates, Lucas and Damian Goldenzweig.
Task 2; there was NO TASK 2.
More next week.

That’s it for now, more than enough news for this week.
Cu next Wednesday.
Cheers Ritz

January 11 2023; POST 1.399.

FAI SGP XI QUALIFYING ROUND AUSTRALIA.

The SGP in Gawler with 5 pilots flying in 18 m. gliders, finished after 6 races!
More about race number 2: in my last blog I mentioned already the winner Pete, [Temple] ….but there were no points on the scoring list then.
Now they are; Pete got 4, Geoff [Brown] 2 and Matthew [Hutchinson] 1 point.
David and Mac got ZERO points , as they were out of the boundary after 25 km.
Race 4; 273 km...won again by Pete for 6 points and all 5 pilots got points.
Pete in his ASG 29 flew around with a speed of 108.8 km./h.
Runner up was Mac, in Adams VENTUS 3T with 106.7 km./h for 4 points.
3d; Geoff in the JS1 with 105.3 km./h.
David in the JS 1 got 2 and Matthew in the VENTUS 2CXA, 1 point.
6/7 kts thermals en route , not too bad,…..and in the end from the border control, 30 k out he stumbled into 7.5 kts climb again , took a few turns and off to “home” ,was what Pete mentioned after the flight.

After 3 races and 3 to go it’s Pete on top overall ,with 12 points, followed by Geoff with 11 and Mac with 8.
Race 4; another day …258 km. was set….and all got points again. Pete won the day ,but they flew in a “5-formation-bunch/gaggle” from start to finish, so speed between 115 and 117 km./h..
So “all” going out and coming in around the same time.
Race 5..381 km.…and hang in as it is getting boring, but Pete won again, a longer distance however and a very nice racing speed from 152 km./h!!!! Great conditions, good air.!!!
A high day as well 9000 ft., they could just skip the first thermals after start and go on track straight away.
Also Mac and Geoff flew over 150 km./h!!
Mac was runner up and 1 minute behind Pete. “Again,” he said with a smile.
With one day to go Pete leads with 24 points, but there is still a “fight” going on between Geoff and Mac; 17 and 16 points!!!!
Race 6 out of 7 day …last day ;had over 300 k again; 314 km. and sadly enough,….an off-day for Geoff who was out after 178 km. loosing his runner-up -spot. Pete and Mac were the best with a speed of 149 and 148 km./h.
With a trough predicted they hoped to be on the easterly side of it for even faster speed. The really high fast, cool, comfortable day was not really there .They hoped for 170 km./h ,but 150 km./h is not bad either.
“After 6 Races on the final day Gawler provided magnificent soaring conditions. A trough crossed the task area bringing 12,000ft plus  cloudbases and 10 kt plus climbs throughout the task area.”
SO IN THE END THERE WAS A CLEAR WINNER; PETE TEMPLE with 30 points.
Mac was runner up with 19 and Geoff third with 17.
Nice race!!!! Pete’s wife ,Mandy, was the competition director, [as she was in Lake Keepit during the WWG] and all went smooth and fine, she said with a big smile. She is good, also as Aussie TC.
Several videos are on YOUTUBE.
Sean did a good PR/coverage-job.

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Good weather at more places in Australia. In the East my friends Gerrit and Pam flew 929 and 652 km in their EB 29R and ASH 31/21 m. Speed 121 and 109 km./h. [January 7]
Back to the West again…..Horsham this time, Jarowslav in his PIK 20 b flew 661 km.
And,…The Australian Nationals are soon in Waikirie and some as Lumpy, practice already; 616 in the Quintus M.
Bruce Taylor was on his way.

And Adam was on his way too;
“My commute to the 18m nationals, about 36hrs on a jet straight from pickup in Bangkok to Adelaide (4 sectors). I’m just arriving in Gawler now for the last day of the SGP, they’re up there enjoying a 12,000′ CU day.” And more blogs to enjoy. Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures

The Australian Nationals will be flown from January 10 [ practice] till January 21 in Waikirie in 2 classes; open/18m and sport class.
They had their first day TODAY. A 1.45 AAT for open /18m won by Adam, who mentioned; .
“Day 1 of the Australian 18m nationals, I’m flying in 15m configuration in order to learn how to find this beauty before the pre-world’s in March “
Preliminary score;586 points for 161 km with a speed of 161 km./h. Craig Vinall was even faster in his AS 33es, but he flew 297 km.
Bruce was 4th and Pete, who rushed from Gawler to Waikirie 6th. So did Geoff and David ;7th and 5th for the day.
Here is Matthew [Scutter] about day 1;
“I had to withdraw from the 20m nationals due to a date change, which left me without any competition practice prior to the 100% selection event in Narromine in March, so instead I decided to drag my little 15m glider to the big boys 18m nationals in South Australia.
I was quite behind the 8ball for the first day, not quite focused or in the right mindset. I compounded this into blowing the start, needing a ‘relight’ while I could see competitors just a bit further away climbing through 10,000ft.
When I started everyone else had left, so I resigned myself to just putting up a clean flight to salvage the points. I made good use of the storm convergence, took a few 4kts to keep the flight low risk, and got home with a respectable speed.
More tricky weather to come.” Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
2.15 AAT in Sport class and only 4 started and 3 finished.
More next week!

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Still great soaring conditions in Namibia. Sometimes the day starts a bit later , there are weaker climbs and a lower cloud base, but in the afternoon convergences “rescue” the day and a 1000 is still possible.
“1000km rescued by an excellent western convergence at the end.” Patrick.
Even a nearly 1.250 was flown in a Quintus M from Bitterwasser on January 4.
Last Sunday Simon Schroeder , one of the young German hotshots flew in Guy’s Quintus M.a new distance record with a speed of 154 km/.h. ; 1,445.32km/1,278.47km FAI.
“What a day!!!
Started very early this morning and initially had difficulties making good progress in the headwind. Everything was blue.
 When we got to the cloud base it was relatively relaxed. The convergence wasn’t quite as pronounced as you can sometimes experience here, but I still progressed fast enough to break the kilometer record.” by Simon in his OLC comment.
More about the young ones below .
The first 23 flights on Sunday January 8 on the OLC were over 1000 km. a total of 27.
6 flights were over 1300 km.
4 flights over 1200 km. amongst all those flights, 6 FAI triangles over 1000 km!!!!!
What a season they have in Namibia!!!!
Bitterwasser, Veronica, Kiripotib and Pokweni ,…they all shared in the 1000 km-plus–happiness and euphoria.
Simon flies in Namibia since December 20 . He flew 4 days in the EB 28 all over 1000 km. On December 26 a 1000 in the ARCUS M.
Then a flight to get used to a new type, the Quintus to fly with that glider on January 6 and then on January 7 and 8 a 1.247 and 1.445 km. flight , both FAI triangles as well.
Pffff…he must be worn out ,but full of adrenaline! And he is YOUNG.
During those 8 flights he was 64 hours in the air.
“7-year-old record topped – Bitterwasser again basis for a new distance record in Namibia.
The 2022/23 season seems to be a very special one. We have been able to watch countless thousands enthusiastically in the last few weeks. So it was only a matter of time that the seven-year-old distance record of 1434 km by Matthias Arnold from 2016 would be set.
Yesterday was the day: under optimal conditions, Simon Schröder raced to a new absolute kilometre record over Namibia with the Quintus provided by Guy Bechtold. OLC – onlinecontest.org

“Admittedly, the Quintus is also the optimal weapon for making kilometres,” said Simon in his commentary on the flight.”
8 January 2023 is definitely one of the most outstanding days in recent years.”
January 9, the first 29 flights are over 1000 km. and another 4 completed 33 flights.
15 of them FAI TRIANGLES!!!!!
All in Namibia.
It’s such a SUPERB season.
NO WONDER that at this still early stage,…..as the season is not yet over, …. Bitterwasser tops the Stats from airfields with 106 pilots flying 741 flights and till now 609.662,63 km.
Interesting,…VERONICA …not that long ago not even on the list ,is runner up at this stage with 87 pilots flying 523 flights and 405.811,93 km.
Yesterday another 17 x 1000 plus including 5 FAI TRIANGLES.

And look also at the skies last Saturday in Bloemfontein in S.A!! 670 km. by Dutch pilot Ronald in a JS 1, member of the Delft Student Aero Club.

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WEGLIDE has a nice story about all the young German “hotshots’ flying those amazing flights in Namibia, on the last day from 2022 and the first day from 2023.When you missed it, here you are;
“What happens in Namibia, when early developments make an unusually early start possible? The young guns finished 2022 properly. On the last day of the year, three gliders tried to squeeze the maximum out of the desert. Together, they covered nearly 4000km.
Let’s start with the top-pointed flight. Max Schäfer & Eva Schröder lined up for a big L with two long legs along the famous edge with defines the border between the Namib- and the Kalahari Desert, congrats.”
In my last blog I wrote about those fabulous flights. Here are some links to the flights;
1.373,98 km @ 143,04 km/h on https://www.weglide.org/flight/229179

“Now a special one! Tore Graeber & Simon Schröder aimed for a big triangle. They headed into South Africa turned west and flew deep over the Namib back north. In the end, they completed an unbelievable 1300km FAI, congrats”
So a huge set, TRIANGLE over huge areas, qua weather and land. The first one in Namibia, and that says something!!!!! Also my congratulations!!!
1.335,27 km @ 143,34 km/h on https://www.weglide.org/flight/229176,229166

“Nils Fecker headed for a big triangle too and challenged Tore & Simon. Slightly ahead, Nils, unfortunately, made a mistake near Gamsberg and had to use the engine to get back to Bitterwasser. But that’s gliding as Nils mentioned correctly in the comments: “An expensive lesson. Everything can’t always work out.”. Nevertheless an amazing flight as well“
1.267,58 km @ 144,79 km/h on https://www.weglide.org/flight/229166

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And to finish some nostalgia for me, not for my family as they were in Tocumwal!!!!
Pictures from the BELANCA SCOUT, VH-SFO, loved by all in the family and flown in the far past by Dennis [1987] and Inge and a huge amount of tuggies, now by George and Diana and the last winters by Grietje from Corowa.
And now by more family members…it really is a family affair and I share it with you…..when it makes me happy , it might make you happy too, specially those who visited Tocumwal.
Dexter is not on these pictures as he had to fly home earlier because of school, but he flew as well.
By the way Inge’s husband Rodger flew with Diana in the IS 28 too. He was solo a few years ago.

And then,…it’s evening in Tocumwal and slowly one by one they depart from Tocumwal, back to Amsterdam, one to Sydney and 2 to Perth. Tomorrow everybody should be home again.
AND,…though I was n’t there I had as much fun with their stories and pictures.

They went hiking in the Grampians as well.

Cheers Ritz
To finish ;

POST 1.398 on January 4 2023.

2022, was not the best year for many of us. The war in Ukraine, the sky-high rise of gas and oil and the economical prices going with that, climate change problems as flooding, landslides , fires , hurricanes and damaging cyclones , extreme cold and the final convulsion of COVID,…they all had a huge impact on many of us.
Also on me…..after having been miserable tired and without energy for 7 months, thanks to the MODERNA- booster-vaccine I got on December 2021, I slowly get back in the “normal” routine again. Pffff……
I am ready for 2023.

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The 12th Women’s World Gliding Championship is open for entrees/registrations!!!!

1 July 2023 – 14 July 2023, The Garray Airfield, Soria

“See the world’s top sportswomen race their gliders over 14 intense competition days and thousands of kilometers to become World Champion.  Watch the mass launch of up to 60 gliders, follow them on live race tracking. It’s a great family day out with fun gliding-related activities for the kids, air and ground displays and street food stalls.“
https://wwgc2023.org/

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Not long and the Namibian rain season will start. BUT,…. what soaring-season they had!!!!
On December 27 they had already a “sneak preview” of what’s going to happen.

BUT,….it’s still too early for full rain days so THE VERY LAST DAY of December was AWESOME in NAMIBIA, with 27 flights over 1000 km and 2 with more points than anytime before. Both from Bitterwasser , both in an ARCUS M and both with “a Schroeder” in it. Maximilian Schaefer and Eva Schroeder and Tore Graeber and Simon Schroeder. First 1.300 for Simon.
“Good forecast by Topmeteo – great weather in Namibia!
An early start at 10 a.m. under clouds that is rarely experienced in Bitterwasser!
First east to prepare a triangle for the day.” more comment from Maximilian on https://www.onlinecontest.org/

Being at the right spot at the right time,…so important for 1000 km-chasers.

So Bitterwasser topped the last day of 2022 on the OLC , BUT, also did so on the first day of 2023 with WOW flights again; Maximilian and Simon flew 1.298 km in the ARCUS M. …1.054 FAI triangle. As they mentioned; BITTERWASSER SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!
My Lasham mates Roy and Patrick have flown 3 x till now and a glorious 1.292 and 1.140 are added in their log books. Their day 3 was different; 452 km.
“Good conditions to NE but as we headed south from Kentucky there increasing shower activity towards Bitterwasser so we turned back. An easy run home until the last10km then moderate to heavy rain so an interesting cross-wind landing.“
Yesterday; 811 km. Their mates Andy and Garry were the only ones to fly over 1000 km. on the OLC ; 1.100 to be precise , even able to share a great picture…yes from showers.
Garry; “Landed just before the storm arrived!“

South Africa is going strong too. On the 28th of December, Worcester had 2x a 1000 by Karin and Markus [1.008 km] in their ARCUS M and by Sven, [1.125 km] in his JS 1B…their Worcester MAGIC is working again. Both with a speed of 140 k/ph.
Sven flew a 1.110 km. flight also on December 24. For Karin it was the first flight back in “their” Worcester.

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There is a nice way of looking back on 2022 on WEGLIDE. This one is about club class and involves a Dutch pilot.
“Best of WeGlide 2022
Today is our ‘Club Class Special’, and what a year it has been for the clubbies. They prove that you don’t always need expensive machinery to achieve awesome long-distance flights. Here is one of our favorites:
Jeroen van Dijk from the Netherlands launched at Soesterberg Airbase 09:10LT in his LS3 for a flight that would be engraved into his memory for a lifetime. In 10,5 hours, Jeroen crossed the whole of Germany from West to East and eventually landed in Strunkovice, Czech Republic with 1021km flown. A mega achievement!
Two months later, he proved that this wasn’t just luck. This time he made the 4 digits again with his LS3 and managed to get back to his home field!

1021 km @ 97 km/h

Soesterberg @acvz

LS3

10h 37m

Head over to WeGlide to see the full flight:
https://www.weglide.org/flight/160672
This flight was on May 28 2022 AND, I missed writing about it, as I was on my annual holiday with the high-school friends, but you know it now. GREAT EFFORT.
Belated congratulations Jeroen!!!!

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There is a small airfield close to Minden and nearly as well-known as Minden; TRUCKEE!!!!!
“Loving the Winter Wonderland, but looking forward to our 2023 season opening day too!” by Truckee Tahoe Soaring Association

Another small airfield Porta Westfalica, now in Germany, is the host for ridge-soaring-[hangfliegen] guests as Tudor, who flew in his St. Cirrus WL, 416 km. on December 30.
He shared this picture. More pictures on the OLC .

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The FAI SGP Qualification from the 11th series started on January 2 in GAWLER in Australia.
They continue to January 8. Their unofficial practice started on December 31.
5 Pilots amongst them Pete Temple and Mak Ichikawa, both in the back.

The official practice day was GOOD; not a huge task 355 km, but excellent soaring conditions, what about….40 dgr. C, light sea breeze, thermals at launch to 7,000ft and Cu to 14,000ft in in the east of the task area. Not many flew….but the 2 who did really practiced interval’s and starts.
Race 1 on January 2…2023!!!
“CANCELLED
The main issue is that the upper air is still too warm. The temperature would need to reach 34C break through the inversion. The maximum temperature is forecast to be 31C.“
https://australia23.sgp.aero/…/race-day-1-2-january…
Race 2 on January 3; 235 km and won by gentleman Geoff, who saw that Pete and David in front of him, got into problems and lost height, so he decided to stay careful and as high as possible. On the last leg they had better circumstances along a convergence line. Geoff flew with a speed of 105 km./h. He was the only one without penalty seconds for a too high max speed at start.
Mac was runner up; 103 km./h. He flies in G1, the Ventus 3T, from Adam Woolley.
Race 3; today…237 km.… preliminary won by Pete, but all were “punished”.Rules are strict in the SGP, so they should be.
Pete had not the best start. He went through the gate first but saw behind him that all others had a “monster climb” . They were kilometers ahead and 1000 ft higher. But Pete managed to “get” them one by one, finding 5 to 7 kts thermals, to bring him home.
But at this stage they all have still 0 daily points.

When you like VIRTUAL GRAND PRIX better here is the link to the scores for race 1, with 44 participants world wide.
“Virtual SGP: All results from Race 1 are available!
Congratulations for this first win, Marcelo!” FAI Virtual Gliding

https://www.condor.club/comp/besttimes/0/?id=22325

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AUCKLAND SOARING CHAMPIONSHIP 2023
 Drury, New Zealand 1 January 2023 – 7 January 2023

They, the Auckland Gliding Club, started full of optimism but after ONE day they could unfortunately only share his message;
“Attention soaring enthusiasts! It is with a heavy heart that we announce the official cancellation of the Auckland Soaring Championships for 2023. Despite our optimism and the promise of a great New Year, the weather forecast for the next six days is simply too bleak to ignore.
However, we did at least have one rewarding day of soaring, and we finish on a high with most pilots enjoying the flying and our assistants having a great day as well.”
Next time BETTER!!!!

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Right on those last days from 2022, a few people passed away. One of them the POPE Benedictus XVI, the first pope in 600 years, who resigned but also one of our well known gliding mates;
“I have the sadness to inform you that Jean Claude Lopitaux did his last flight yesterday.[December 30]
He was world champion in 1989 in Wienerneuestadt ( Austria)
He was very active in the defence of airspace for gliding.
He was sick since several years.
Blue sky Jean Claude. RIP” by Kiki.

Not too much news today,…maybe that it was 18 dgr. C here… PLUS…, the warmest ever last-day-day-of-December!!!AND,…the warmest ever January 1 2023.
Not much snow in the winter sport areas from Austria, Switzerland and France, so quite a few accidents and incidents. It looks like spring over there.
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.397….On December 28 2022.

KROONSTAD SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS
16 December 2022 – 23 December 2022

They continued with
Task 5 on December 21; 247 km….and the young Philip and older Jonker Uys, started together and finished together, both noticed a speed of 102 km on their “clock” . Due to a light punishment of 10 points Philip was runner up Uys won the day. But with one more day to go Philip is still in the overall lead.
It turned out December 22 had no task 6, so it was ALL going to happen on the last day. Who would take risks ,…all or nothing….who consolidate and who was just unlucky on that day.
Task 7 on December 23; 220 km….later changed in 161.75 km. Weather for big wings like the Nimbus 4DM. The Scharf’s in it won with a nice speed of 133 km./h.
Oscar was runner up and Swiss guest Yves 3d. Not a lot of points to win or loose, but they got; 287, 228 and 211 daily points.

So not the most spectacular weather in South Africa ‘s KROONSTAD during this National Championship.
Several 2 hour AAT’s and the best day had a set task from 373 km.
But after 6 out of 7 days there is a CHAMPION and what a CHAMPION, and winners in open class;
1. Philip Jonker in JS 3/18 m. with 3.330 points.
2. Uys Jonker in JS 3 /18 m with 3.292 p.
3. Laurens Goudriaan in JS 3 with 3.129 p.
Congratulations!!!

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Good news from Schleicher;
The AS 33ME is NOW certified;
“Good news before Christmas: The AS 33 Me is EASA certified as of today. This makes the AS34 Me & AS 33 Me the first two certified 18 m electric self launchers in the world.”
https://www.alexander-schleicher.de/en/the-as-33-me-is-now-certified/

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Pre-Christmas- and Christmas-time great soaring flights!
Beverley in Australia has superb weather. Norm [Bloch] already flew a 1000 from there on December 18, on December 20 Don [Woodward] did exactly the same, not in a JS 3 but in a “dry ASW 20B/C.
He declared a 1000 from Beverly and flew it, without water ballast!!!

Namibia had top weather as well . December 22 showed a 1.374 km flight by Guy and young German pilot Nils. A day earlier they flew 1.295 km…what stamina!!!!!
Another young pilot Simon flew in the EB 28, 1.255 km!!!
Those young ones , there on invitation, are SO LUCKY!!!!
22 over 1000 km flights in Namibia that day.
My Dutch friends Alfred Paul and Mark spend their winter-holiday in Kiripotib.
“Nice last flight of the holiday, landed early due to CBs. We had a great holiday, with in 13 flying days around 100 hours and 13.000km. Thanks all at Kiripotib for the great time here, see you next season !!!”On December 23.
They had 7 flights, from over 1000 km, to be precisely; 1.277 km….1.320 km…..1.362 km and 1. 021 km.
December 24 had thriller-weather-again in Bitterwasser; 1.408 km. in the EB 28 with a speed of 156 km./h.
On December 24, Sven Olivier flew a 1.110 km flight in the JS 1B. GREAT SPEED; 163 km./h.
“A big Xmas gift – 1100km at 162kph on Christmas Eve – it was far better than the prediction“
A nice Christmas present at Worcester Airport, where the WORCHESTER MAGIC was turned on.!!!!
Also the 804 km by Tokkie Carstens in an LS 4 is perfect…speed 138 km./h.

By the way the Argentinian 1000 km/FAI triangle from December 20, I wrote about last week was ;
“The first declared 1000 Km FAI triangle in our pampas in thermal conditions!” by Damian….he calls it an early CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!All in all he had a fabulous ,intense and unforgettable year!!!

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CRISTMAS AT IT’S BEST!!!!!!
In the Netherlands they take care of all those who fought and died for us during the WW2. ALSO with Christmas….impressive pictures by ARJAN.

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The VERY cold and disruptive winter in the USA and Canada, with temperatures up to minus 27 and even worse ,minus 45 dgr.C., might be the coldest in living memory. Already more than 70 people died……..TRAGIC!!!
And that all happened during the Christmas days, so not every family was complete, so sad!
For some who lost unexpectedly loved ones, a real SAD Christmas!!

IN MEMORIAM
On December 27 yesterday, it was 35 years ago that our best friend Kees Musters died in a tragic accident with his hang-glider in France. Kees was the HOBBS WGC champion.
R.I.P. Kees.

Wishing you a great NEW YEAR in good health and spirit. Keep SAFE!!!!

Cheers Ritz with my annual ” proost- picture” on 2023.

P/S. This blog is a few hours earlier.
I kept my laptop switched on all day as it works now and I don’t know what happens tomorrow morning!!!
I do have problems with it.
On January 13 WINDOWS 8 will stop with updates. I still use that.
Since yesterday I have difficulties to get on internet due to synchronization problems with google chrome.
Maybe that’s already one of the problems, though they convinced me that working with windows 8 should not create problems straight away!
I have to figure out how to continue, so when you can’t find a post, don’t get upset, I am working on it.
Hopefully ….CU next year….on January 4!

Post ;1.396 on December 21 2022….
longest day down under…. SHORTEST here …so we look ahead again at spring and summer.

JOEY GLIDE
Lake Keepit 11 December 2022 – 18 December 2022

Since the WWGC in Lake Keepit ,I am very fond on that airfield and the people over there. For that reason I am very pleased they organize this National Junior Gliding Championship. I can visualize where everything is and I have great memories on “my room” in the back of the club house….always close by news.
After 1 practice day and one scrubbed day , AND 2 x a 3 hour AAT day, we continue with ….
task 4; another 3 hour AAT.…and good news ALL 9 started!!!Some shear-wave was expected.
Ryan Driscoll is in really good “shape”, winning earlier the 3.30 practice day and task 3 and now task 4. This time he flew 310 km in time 3.03 in his ASW 20 C; speed 101 .65 and again he was the only one over 100 km./h.
His biggest “concurrent” at this stage Jayden Bashfort, who won task 2, in the 17 m Kestrel unfortunately lost 200 points,…..loosing time somewhere en route, though he only started 3 minutes earlier than Ryan. But,…no worries he is still runner up and a few more days to go.
Rueben Lane is going strong too . He flies the DG 100 and is about 30 points behind Jayden.
Matthew Scutters SKYSIGHT is a great sponsor , presenting awesome video’s with catchy music, it looks like a really HAPPY event!!!! Fabulous way to attract young people!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/JoeyGlide/videos/day-3-4-wrap-up/866172631311523/
Bruce Taylor is flying as one of the coaches for the coaching program, with young ones in the Duo Discus.
I noticed Pete Temple as well on the lovely video’s they shared.
“We look forward to the final few days of our competition and coaching program and will keep you up to date on our social media channels.”
Task 5 was on my birthday and it was a GOOD one. 4 hour AAT, GOOD!!!
look at this , the REAL AUSSIE weather!!!!

433 km for Ryan and 1000 points for this task 5 ;speed 108 km./h. Well done. Paul Merlaud [LS 4B] was runner up, good on him.
Noah from Mount Beauty was not too lucky with his days till now, but he is in the correct “groove” at the moment being 7th.
Bit of an off day for Rueben,..no worries tomorrow is another day.
task 6 on December 17 was good again; 3 hour AAT and won,..AGAIN…by Ryan; 351 km. with a speed of 112 km./h.
One point LESS , so 999 for Paul in the LS 4b.
task 7 and LAST day!!! 3 hour AAT. No not Ryan won , but somebody who was not yet at the first-spot-podium; Josh Geerlings in the Discus A. He consoled his 3d overall-spot!!
Nothing changed in the overall top 3 it stayed as it was over the last days!!!
So here are those TOPPERS after 6 out of 7 good competition days!!!!All with 300k or more.
1. Ryan Driscoll in ASW 20 C with 5.733 points. Well done Ryan.
2. Jayden Bashford in the Kestrel[17m] with 5.552 p.
3. Josh Geerlings in the Discus A with 5.245 p.

“And that’s a wrap on JoeyGlide 23 Presented by SkySight. We all had an incredible time at Lake Keepit and looking forward to taking what we learnt back to our home clubs.“

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In between Matthew [Scutter]himself continued his adventurous trip;
“Did you think the trip was over? Last week I slowly slogged back home in the blue and crawled into Kingaroy early on Saturday. A long week in the office and I was just able to pop out this afternoon to reposition to Boonah for another leg south for this weekend.
Joining me will be Finn Sleigh (current JWGC champion) in my sister’s LS8, and Jack Tonkin in Adam Woolley’s Gliding Adventures Ventus 3.
Let’s hope we’re able to get out of Boonah tomorrow! It’s looking challenging...”
You can follow them on..Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

LOVELY stories from Matthew and Adam, both former Australian juniors!
And what an extraordinary for them unforgettable trip from Matthew and his 2 UK mates Finn and Jack.
He finishes with;
“A few clips from the trip last week along the high country convergence, ft. Finn Sleigh, Jack Tonkin, Maddog Composites, and of course, powered by SkySight“

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Another National Championship is in Progress:
2022 SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS.
16 December 2022 – 23 December 2022

Host Kroonstad . They started on my birthday with a practice day, so I was busy but quickly found out later that the weather was not too good.
“Day 1 – welcome to Kroonstad and like much of the country – it is all very wet. There have been storms, lots of rain, and everything is drowning in water. There are small rivers running alongside the roads with run off from fields, where the roads are low-lying they are under water and fields are swimming.
Yesterday was the practise day and only two pilots took a launch as the weather closed in quite rapidly and there was then later afternoon rains for a few hours. Thankfully both pilots were back on the ground before the rain fell. So the tasks set for yesterday were not flown!” shared by Akavlieg – Potch Gliding
Task 1 in open class with 11 pilots; 2 hour AAT. We all know that big tasks should not be set straight after wet weather, so a small task was set and won by AP Kotze in the JS 2/21 m. with 304 km and a nice speed of 139 km./h.
Uys was runner up in JS 3 /18 m. and,…it stays in the family…. Philip 3d.
They were the only 3 finishers!
“Today, day 1, and let’s hope there will be flying. Despite a lot of rain overnight, there are blue skies and sunshine this morning, but thunderstorms are expected later on as things warm up.”
They flew!!!
Task 2; 2 hour AAT...won by Oscar Goudriaan in in JS 3TJ; 233 km with a speed of 116 km./h. Swiss pilot Yves Gerster was runner up.
Task 3; 2 hour AAT...and now it was the other way around. Yves , with 261 km. on the daily spot 1 after an early start and Oscar, with 249 km. on 2.Speed Yves….129 km./h and Oscar 119 km./h
Together with Oscar his brother Laurens finished as well.
Task 4; 372.74 km…..with 130 km./h Uys was the daily best. Interesting,…followed by the Nimbus 4DM [120 km./h] and Duo Discus [115 km/h] .Laurens was a tad slower than Uys; 128 km./h.
Oscar was 7th and Yves 9th.
They continue so next week the final results.
For now it is still young Philip on spot 1 [2.468 p] overall followed by Uys [ 53 points behind] and Laurens [2.333]

For the scores from the 5 pilots in Sports class you can look at ; www.soaringspot.com

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Between all the over -1000 km-flights in Namibia on December 18, there was a 1000k flight from Australia as well. Norm Bloch flew from Beverley in his JS 3 1.007 km with a speed of 135 km./h.
And….yesterday they flew between 487 in a LAK17B fes/18m and nearly 800 in an LS8.
Looking at Mondays Namibia flights; 2x over 1.200 km and 7 over 1.100 and 14 x a 1000.
Pffff…….GOOD!!!!
Yesterday Damian added a 1000 km. free / 1000 km. FAI triangle flight in Argentina from San Felipe in his Ventus 2CM/18m.

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I have to set things right!!!!
I missed one day from the Argentinian Championship. Moving my head between 10 hours earlier with Holland and Australia, I forgot that South America is at least 4/5 hours later…so I MISSED ONE DAY!!!
In the end they had not 9 but 10 days out of 12 ….EVEN BETTER!!!!
SO ,…more points as well. AND,...it turned out a short but interesting day.
Thanks Damian!!
Task 12; Standard class had a 2 hour AAT won by Martin Fernandez, who moved from 5 to 4. [8,141 points]
Overall scores standard class after 10 flying days;
1. Gonzalo Riera in LS 4 with 8,304 points and CHAMPION.
2. Cristian Franzini in LS 4 with 8,297 p.
3. Dino Ghioni in LS 4 with 8,168p

Task 12; Open class had a 1.30 AAT won by Damian AND Santiago both got 400 points for 202 km with 135 km./h!!!
Overall scores open class after 10 flying days;
1. Damián Goldenzweig in Ventus 2CM/18m. with 8,771 points and CHAMPION.
2. Santiago Berca in Ventus 2CM /18 m. with 8,739 p.
3. Federico Buscema in Nimbus 3DM 24.6m with 8,675 p.

Task 12;15 m class was a 1.30 AAT won by Manuel Darrain with 170 km and a speed of 113 km./h.
Just not enough for the podium missing out on 3 points.[8,255]
Overall scores in 15 m class;
1. Sebastián Luengo in ASW 20 with 8,315 points and CHAMPION!!!
2. José Dentone in ASW 20 with 8,295 p.
3. Felipe Girado in ASW 20 with 8,258 p.

Pfff,….luckily the names of the winners remained the same , they only GOT more points!!!
Good on them and AGAIN,…….SORRY.
Must be old age,
Talking about age, yes indeed I turned 76 on December 16!!!
Thank you SO much for all wonderful reactions from all over the world. I felt TRULY LOVED!!!!
And, now “I am in Argentina again ” virtual of course, CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who love soccer. ARGENTINA SOCCER WORLD CHAMPION.

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Sadly enough we lost another active French “mate”.
“In memory of Bernard Chabbert, the voice of French aviation. Blue Sky.“
R.I.P. Bernard.

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WISHING YOU ALL OVER THE WORLD, A WONDERFUL and MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Frohe Weihnachten.
Joyeux Noël
Feliz Navidad.

Cheers Ritz

The 69th Gliding Championship in Argentina
Rafaela 28 November 2022 – 9 December 2022

——Only 2 days to go in Rafaela, after I finished my last post .
Task 10, flying day ,9 showed another 3 hour AAT in the 3 classes and in open it was Juan Pablo [Verdura] again as the best, starting as the last one. A pity from his off-day earlier. Damian [Goldenzweig] is still going strong.
So are the 3 Ventus CM/18 m gliders being 1,2 and 3 on this task 10. ALL pilots flew over 400 km and as said Juan Pablo, was the best with a speed of 147 km./h over 446 km.
4 Pilots still in the race for the title and in all 3 classes it’s an EXCITING race!!!; Damian with 8.371 p, Santiago with 8.339 p .,Frederico in the Nimbus 3DM with 8.290 and Juan Pablo with 8.265 points.
In Standard class 12 starters and 9 flew over 350 km. Many LS 4 gliders in this class, but the St Jantar won the day with 376 km and a speed of 123n km./h on handicap.
4 Pilots still in the race for champion with close scores; 7.618….7.678….7.733 and 7.740 points.
In 15 m. still 19 pilots in the race and Jose [Dentone] won the day with 382 km. and a speed of 127 km./h.
8 ASW 20 gliders here in the top.
With ONE day to go, ….4 pilots still in the race for this title with at this stage overall scores from 7.855….7.862….7.899 and 7.944 points.
What’s happening during task 11??? NOTHING,…no task for all classes, so it was OVER!!!
“Although the tests of the Standard and 15m classes had already been cancelled, meteorology was trying to find a window to be able to develop competition with the Open.
All possibilities have been exhausted to develop the competition, unfortunately it has not been possible to fly” indicated Roberto Vogt, director of the championship while suspending the day at 1:30 p.m.”
by Rafaela Gliders Press

Yes ,…..champions in 3 classes were announced!!
Standard class after 9 out of 11 days;
1. Gonzalo Riera in LS 4 with 7,740 points…NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. Cristian Franzini in LS 4 with 7.733 p, only 7 less, he would have wished for a last flying-day
3. Dino Ghioni in LS 4 with 7. 678 p.

Open class after 9 out of 11 days;
1. Damián Goldenzweig in VENTUS 2CM/18 m with 8.371 points…NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. Santiago Berca in VENTUS 2CM/18 m. with 8.339 p.
3. Federico Buscema in NIMBUS 3DM/24.6 m. with 8.290 p.

15 m class after 9 out of 11 days;
1. Sebastián Luengo in ASW 20 with 7,944 points…NATIONAL CHAMPION.
2. José Dentone in ASW 20 with 7.899 p
3. Felipe Girado in ASW 20 with 7.862 p.

Congratulations to ALL. AND,…THANKS DAMIAN for sharing the pictures!
Pretty good 9 out of 11 days, and a lot of GOOD ones ..that’s what the PRESS thought too;
“With this there are only two non-flyable days of this historic Argentine championship.”
Rafaela Gliders Press
With record temperatures last Wednesday of 41 dgr. C.

In the end they had 10 out of 12 days , I was TOO quick and missed a day. Luckily the winners remained the winners only they got more points.
You can see it in my next blog.
Sorry about this. MEA CULPA.

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South Island Gliding Championship 2022
Omarama 4 December 2022 – 10 December 2022

After winning 3 days Keith [Essex] and his open class mates had NO TASK on December 7.
BUT,….then the weather decided not to co-operate anymore.
No flying on December 7 [Very flat and very white today. Unfortunately the low to the west keeps things very much rubbish for tasking, so no competition tasks today.} and 8 [Even more weather around today so no tasks for the day. Friday is not looking that great either!].

So December 9 Friday [ no flying] and 10 to go……
BUT,…….Good news:
“Looking a lot more promising this morning. There is a task up for both classes and we are going for an early start of 12:00 to try and get the flying all done before forecasted rain showers and to-nights awards dinner!”
So on the last flying day they set 2 hour AAT’s for both classes. No worries for Keith ,…another win and 1000 points more.
No surprises either in the open class final scores;
1. Keith Essex in the ASG 29E with 3,594 points.
2. Hamilton & Morgan in the ASH 25 with 3,070 p.
3. Max Stevens in the Ventus 2C with 2,901 p.

Tony was runner up to Terry, loosing 8 points, not enough to change the
Overall scores in racing class.
1. Tony van Dyk in the LS 8 with 2,833 points.
2. Terry Jones in the LS 8 with 2,742 p.
3. Roland van der Wal in LS 6C with 2.048 p.

Congratulations!

More N.Z. news ; That day,…. December 10, ….John Mac Caw flew a free flight ,more an out and return from Springfield…422 km…in a St. CIRRUS. CHAPEAU!!!!

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JOEYGLIDE
Lake Keepit 11 December 2022 – 18 December 2022

Attending a competition in Australia, sometimes is a huge expedition. If you have to travel from the West to the East, you are driving your car and glider-on-tow, over many kilometers and days and nights.
So a huge job for some of the young ones, but when you are young NOTHING IS A PROBLEM.

The 8 [number 9 came all the way from Mount Beauty but did not fly] started with a great practice day on December 11; 3.30 AAT.
Ryan Driscoll was the last- but- one to go on track in his ASW 20 and flew 354 km in time 3.37; speed 98 km./h.
One day earlier Ryan practiced already too. That day showed SUPERB weather as local hero Allan Barnes in his LS 8 declared a 1000 and flew it!!! Our former co-owners from Sportavia, long ago , Mathias and Mari-Christine flew in their ASG 32 768 km.
So a top day in good old Lake Keepit. Hope this weather stays during JOEYGLIDE!!!!

It did NOT on day 1 ,so task 1 was skipped…to speak in JoeyGlide-language, but there was a 3 hour AAT the next day, as TASK 2.
Again 8 flying pilots. Noah from Mount Beauty flew but this time Paulo did not fly.
Jayden won the 1000 points flying the Kestrel/17m. over 297 km in time 3.20; 89 km./h. He mentioned it was not always easy, he was sometimes low, it was very blue, but the ridges worked well.
Ryan was runner up with 82 km./h loosing 125 points, but it’s only flying-day 1.
TASK 3; 3 hour AAT AND,….it’s looking GOOD!!!!

Ryan was the only one flying over 100 km./h; 105.26 km./h. He flew 316 km in time 2.54 for 1000 points.
Jayden was runner up.
For some juniors it’s a hard but effective way to cope with competition flying. 7 Started but one missed the startline on 0.5 km. Life can be a bitch…zero points.
More next week; When you want to follow them you can go to
https://glideandseek.com/?compDataUrl=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NeilMC311/joey23/main/joey23.json&viewport=-31.10429,150.43515,9

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AND,…from the Boonah Gliding Club Inc. 2 UK pilots Finn and Jack , are flying and having fun. Whilst it is minus 10 and with lot’s of snow ,in the UK, the young ones enjoy the nice weather down under in Queensland. Good move!! They even “got” Adams G1 to fly, very special.

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—–Mathew finished his trip but there is more to come, he loves his gliding and sees so many parts of beautiful Australia this way.
“Two very, very tricky low blue days flying back home. Yesterday was at least clear skies with nice consistent climbs, but terrible terrain requiring constant strip deviations.
Today was considerably worse, with patches of high cloud forming all afternoon, but at least after the first 50k it was back to landable country. I didn’t really believe reality would be as dire as the forecast predicted, and thought I would actually make it back to Kingaroy for most of the day – but a switch flicked about 3.30 and I had to motor to Chinchilla for the night.
The biggest predictor for how hard it’ll be to get an airport pickup by a motel seems to be proximity to a state capital, but fortunately Pete the airfield operator gave me a lift into town, thanks Pete!
Just a short flight home tomorrow, time for repairs and recuperation, and possibly departure later this week for another try to the south. TBD.”
Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

————————————————————

Some short news;
–—-That great working horse , the Pawnee, is a tug and many soaring places use one. Some have a long record of service, as the above one; “So today we said goodbye to a faithful friend…. after 36 years, about 50,000 aerotow launches and probably flown by 50 different tuggies, Uniform Charlie our Pawnee was off to pastures new, flown by tugmaster Paul Barker to the South Wales Gliding Club at Usk.” Southdown Gliding Club

—–PERLAN PROJECT;
“As we look ahead to 2023, we’re looking back on memorable moments of 2022.
On June 12, Perlan Project Chief Pilot Jim Payne and Pilot Alan Coombs wave soared 2,581 km in the fly-by-wire Nixus Project. Ground speed reached as high as 340 kph. It was the 2022 Best Flight OLC. Check out the stats at; https://bit.ly/PayneOLC

——-Namibia; December was another top day in Namibia. The TWIN SHARK topped twice the OLC list with flights from Veronica; 1.198 km and 1. 110 km. Bostjan and Radek with their mates have a lot of fun.
The first 21 flights on the OLC were ALL over 1000 km and in total there were 22 as the ETA was on the list a bit further.
The TWIN SHARK is making OVER-HOURS- flying from Veronica .On December 10 Radek flew 1.302 km [145 km./h] and one day later Bostjan 1.223 km. The glider is keeping perfect, after all this hard work.

—–In between the 2d 1000 km-camp for the young ones has started from Bitterwasser. Max [Maslak] is still there AND flew as one of the young ones got a tummy problem…another 1000 k in the EB. [28]
2nd lap 1000km Camp Bitterwasser Day 4
Weather forecast with early onset overdevelopment made route planning difficult. Therefore, a timely return to Bitterwasser before the thunderstorm activity in the evening was announced. But as is so often the case, instead of thunderstorms in the late afternoon, a gigantic line of convergence developed, which made the way home effortless. Another special experience for Patrick, with weather phenomena that are hard to find in a textbook.” by Wilfried who is flying now with young Patrick Benoist.

More Bitterwasser news; on December 12
“The world as a guest in Bitterwasser
For each nation represented in Bitterwasser, the corresponding flag is hoisted. 12 nations were already represented this season. From 19 to well over 80 is the range of pilot age. It is interesting that in some cockpits the age difference is more than 50 years.
All this makes Bitterwasser a very special place with a great atmosphere. And the results can be seen. More than 100 flights over 1000 km have already been completed.”

Yesterday 2 of my Dutch mates, Alfred Paul and Mark, flew in the ARCUS from Kiripotib 1.244 km. ..speed 150 km./h….Good on them.
The weather is still SUPER in Namibia.

——–Between December 5 and 16 the Royal Air force “practices” from the base Eindhoven Airport about 15 k from here. It’s called “Orange Bull” and during the flights of 2 C 130 HERCULES transport planes , they drop personal and freight at designated places in Holland and Belgium. I do hear them sometimes.

To finish this blog another view on flying. Tony [Condon] loves his soaring, power flying, but also his balloon flying, and he shares lovely colorful pictures.
On December 7 he mentioned; “Two flights today!! Rolled a lot on inflation. Some steerage. Landed next to a nice house and laid out in their yard.”

Flying to heaven is what happened over the last week with 2 of our soaring mates; Belgian multiple-times-top-crew Ollie [ Oliver]will be missed by many, specially by the THE Broquevilles. He always had a smile on his face.
Our Tocumwal friend Charlie Tootell sr. died on December 6 , a huge loss for his wife Marg and son Charlie jr.
Jr was a tow pilot with us and mum and dad regularly visited from Finley where they then lived.
“No Sambuca evenings anymore“
R.I.P dear friends.

CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz
P/S; it’s MINUS 10 here during the night and zero during the day …pretty cold for the Netherlands…and the first marathon on ice will be skated tonight.
As I have spend 30 winters in sunny Tocumwal, I do not like cold weather, but no complaints here. I straight away think then on the people in the Ukraine, without power, heating and water, all by a “stupid and intense TRAGIC” war. I wish them a lot of strength!!!!!!!

DECEMBER 7 post 1.394

Day of the funeral from Chris, one of the engines behind the Gelderse Soaring Club ,flying as you know, from Terlet in The Netherlands. He was only 60 years old and died of a heart attack at home.
R.I.P. Chris,….you will be VERY MUCH missed by the entire Gelderse Soaring Family and beyond.
At a get -together last week people stood in a long, long queue to say farewell to him.

—–Last Wednesday on November 30, the last day of the month November, Ludwig and Heimo topped the OLC list with a 1.047 km flight from Kiripotib; 138 km./h.
You surely know that Ludwig [Starkl] together with Wolfgang [Janowitsch] were the founders of FLYING WITH THE CHAMPIONS and RENT A GLIDER. Ludwig stopped last year, after 8 years, as organizer, but was back as valued guest and “just- glider- pilot”.
8 Years of experience with briefings there ,paid off as he commented and they flew in the best optimal “window’ for the day.
It was not even a perfect day as one of the other Kiripotib guests mentioned;
“Another great day but not much streeting and weaker climbs. Top cover killed the thermals 150k out so we took 2kts 100k out for a safe final glide.”
I got to know Ludwig and Heimo [Demmerer] better during the C.I.M in Italy. They were frequent flyers there. Good ones too, as they fly a lot over their Austrian mountains. They both flew many WGC’s as well, but Ludwig gave up during the WGC in Benalla in 2017 , after 2 near misses [ 5 and 11 m distance] and 2 collisions ….2 days in a row …., with those many gaggles. Though he was not involved ,he could not be answerable anymore to his family and friends, he said.
Brave decision to do so during the WGC, as I know how much he loved his competition soaring.
Of course I know all 3 of them already also, from the wedding I attended, from Wolfgang and Janet, long ago.

—–Keith [Essex] moved from the USA , where he is a member of the Minden Soaring Club, to New Zealand again for the season. Straight away he shared from his first 500 km-flight a, on December 1, a nice picture from gorgeous N.Z.

He is one of the 14 pilots flying the SOUTH ISLAND GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022 from Omarama. There are 2 classes and on day 1 , December 4, Keith straight away won the 3 hour AAT flying 418 km in his ASG 29 in open class. Speed 139 km./h!!! That was quite a bit faster and further than p.e, Max Stevens in the Ventus 2C ; 310 km and 102 km./h.
Same tasks for racing class where 2 LS 8 gliders were the best ; Terry Jones and Tony van Dyk; 369 km ..speed 123 km./h and 338 km with 110 km./h.
Task 2 ; 2 hour AAT,…won by Keith with 384 km …speed 187 km/h!!!!
“A couple of 2 hour AAT tasks have been set for today. There is quite a lot of uncertainty around the weather for today so the tasks have been set with quite a few different weather options in mind.“
Terry flew 281 km and Tony 303 ….speed 140 km./h and 131 km./h.
Task 3 a 2 hour AAT in both classes were won by Keith and Tony.
“Everyone is back and most got around the task despite the rain showers!” the organization.
“Our” former Dutch Tony is still GOOD!!!!He leads the racing class after 3 days with 100 points. I have n’t seen him now for quite a while but at the last comps he still could speak really good Dutch.
Keith in his class leads with 446 points.

They finish on December 10. Today they don’t fly. “No tasks for today. Too much weather around.”

—–The 5 exciting aspects of JoeyGlide 2023 you don’t want to miss! Starting soon, on Saturday December 11!!!
“If there’s any Joeyglide to attend, it’s this one; and for good measure. As we gear up towards our highly anticipated event, we can’t wait to welcome you and see you in the air! Between covid, bad weather and floods, we know it’s been tough to fly this year. But it’s now time to dust off the cobwebs, pull out the camelback and hang out with your friends in Lake Keepit.“
The JUNIORS are ready to go for it and will be sponsored where necessary.

——One of the former Aussie juniors AND JWGC champion in Narromine Matthew, wrote a very interesting blog about flying in Australia at this stage.
“My gliding colleagues, particularly in the southern states, have been complaining that it’s another La Nina year and everything is washed out with all the comps getting canceled. Today I set out on my “How Bad Could It Be?” tour, trying to visit all the badly flooded areas, traveling by glider.“
You better read the full story on Matthew Scutter’s Gliding
“There’s no road access due to the floods, everything is arriving by helicopter, so I better figure out a way to soar out of here.” on December 2 2022.
https://www.weglide.org/flight/226282….
In between he had time for some fun as well,…a voting poll;
“Please vote on my destination for tomorrow from Bourke (if I am able to get away without running my battery flat!)”
Mind you Bourke is up in the N and Tocumwal on the border of NSW and Victoria [S].
Heart react for Tocumwal
Haha react for Augathella
Wow react for Swan Hill

And https://www.weglide.org/flight/226373 how he continued on December 3!!!
“Getting out of Bourke was as bad as expected, had to hobble out with the FES 20km inland to the cu.“
The votes were for Augathella, never even heard from the place, so off he went….more adventure…what a great guy he is!!!!!
AND,…it ain’t over yet ;”Super easy cumulus conditions with a teeny bit of streeting, horrific terrain the last 400km into Mt. Isa… took a few 3kts to keep at cloudbase. 10,000ft feels low out here.“
Now he had to figure out how to get away from Mt Isa, a mining town in N.W. Queensland…..
https://www.weglide.org/flight/226583
“Once again unsure how to get out of here. Looks a bit bluer the coming days. Tomorrow’s problem!“
WHAT A HERO!!!!! These 2 pictures have been shared by Matthew.

Mount Isa as mining town and ,…as his mate Adam commented; “What a great experience, Mt Isa, home of Australias biggest windsock!“
Courtesy Matthew

Matthew’s mornings news today ;“I’ve long believed everyone eventually gets what they deserve, which is why I live life in a state of perpetual fear.”
And “Reasonably high chance I’ve stuffed this one up! I flew into Thargomindah yesterday expecting an early start for a massive day today, but on landing realised the forecast had become a lot more marginal than when I left. This morning it is even worse again than the forecast. The trough is too far progressed. read the full story on Matthew Scutter’s Gliding

—–Whilst our winter started with pretty cold conditions,[minus 2] summer arrived down under after the coldest ever spring since 50 years. For that reason I hope it quickly dries out .
The Southern corner with well-known gliding places as Benalla, Tocumwal and Corowa, do have early guests already and they flew over 500 km. on December 2.
Frequent [Dutch] Corowa visitors Jos and Willem are flying from Corowa the ASG 32MI and the ASH 31/21 m. 576 and 588 km.
From Tocumwal local Grant flew 511 km in his St Jantar 2 and Swiss Chris in his ASW 27 a more-or less O&R to Leeton; 339 km.
On Saturday Lumpy even flew 740 km [668 FAI] in his new Nimbus 4T and Grant is his “little” St. Jantar 593 km [500FAI triangle]
Charles Day in his 17m Kestrel 423 km. from Benalla.
Indeed summer has arrived with 31 dgr. C.

By the way, Swiss Chris who is a long time mate ,can be sometimes a bit of a nerd and I say that with full respect and a big smile!!!!He knows me….
“That was fun, much better thermals than yesterday
OLC Program gets thermalling start wrong when towing with Eurofox
OLC thermalling statistic differs compared to https://www.weglide.org/flight/226258
WG 11.5%
OLC 15.32%“
AND,…he is mostly correct.
Eddie, who is an “ace” on weather, shared this picture.
Around Lake Cargellico and a bit more to the SW, you see less clouds;
Eddie; “The flooded areas suppressing thermals and cumulus cloud formation!”

——-This must be Max Maslak’s BEST experience with soaring in his 19 year life. Flying the Ventus 3 by himself during the Bitterwasser-1000 km-camp and together with Wilfried learning in the EB 28
“Day 7 1000km Camp Bitterwasser;
“Again one of the best days in Namibia with a 300km convergence line in the west. Early start with an adiabatic temp curve. Even if the high level of instability in the west brought about early spreads of rain, the route planning in the morning went quite well. The thunderstorms that hung over Bitterwasser in the late afternoon were limited in time, so that in the evening the airfield could be approached again without any problems.
Another important experience for Max at just 19 years old..” by Wilfried
They flew 1.214 km…speed 143 km./h.
Max flew 3x in the Ventus 3M/18 m; 1.049 km….1.158 km…and day 7 …..1.049 km.
With Wilfried; Day 1…..1.135 Max very first flight, …1.162 km….1.214 km
The other “pupil” was Tobias Pachowsky. On his last day he tried hard but flew 999 km. in the Ventus 3M , whilst optimal 1.001 was predicted. NO WORRIES. He had a fabulous time, with 3 over 1000- km- flights with his mentor Wilfried.
“7 flight days……..7400km…….is only possible in Bitterwasser…
Thank you Wilfried!!!” was his last comment.
The other “lucky-young-one” is Tobias Welsch.
“Day 8 1000km Camp Bitterwasser.
This day was also one of the special ones in Namibia….!
A good route planning thanks to top meteo and the morning temp. Even if the beginning was a bit difficult, it went great afterwards!
Since the north of Cu was moderately so well developed, we put a long leg in Namibia that was unknown to me. Even if the return flight was marked with over-developments, the decision was worth it.
My first flight with Tobias which was really fun…! as commented by Wilfried, who really puts effort in his flying but also writing about the young ones.
Top job Wilfried, I met him in the far past.

—— The 69th ARGENTINIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS have been flown from Rafaela, since November 28 till December 9,…. so still in progress. They fly in standard [13 pilots], open [ 14] and 15 m. class [20]
Host Rafaela celebrates it’s 80thiesist birthday, reason enough to have a big championship.
And,…CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
And they had pretty good weather, with up to a 5 hour AAT on task 6 with 667 km. won by Juan Pablo Verdura in his Ventus 2CM/18m in open class.

The organization mentioned;
“It is an extreme heat wave, it is probably a historic heat wave for the month of December, since 12 days are expected in these conditions with some very isolated showers,” he explained during the morning briefing before flying the meteorologist, Lucas Berengua, in relation to the maximum of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius that will accompany the days of flight until the end of the competition.” on December 5.
On December 5 they were on task 8 ….flying day 7….in all 3 classes.
408 km was set for standard class and the overall best 5 pilots all flying LS 4 are in points between 5.951 and 6.054.
Open class had a 4.30 AAT with 468 km as best result. In this class Damian and Juan Pablo lead overall at this stage; 6.421 and 6.415 points. CLOSE!!!
In 15 m 444 k was set and the best speed was 104 km./h 4x an ASW 20 in the daily top.
December 6, birthday of St Nicolas, task 9 flying day 8… was a short day with 2.30 and 3 hour AAT’s. Damian and Santiago [Berca] had both 1000 points . Flying together in the same glider Ventus 2CM/18 m ;415 km with 138 km./h.
With the very close scores an “off-day” is expensive. Juan Pablo was 4th, lost 150 points for the day and moved at this stage from 2 to 4.
More next week.

That’s it for today!!!!
Birthday, Christmas and New Year will make it a busy time. But I try to write as much as possible.
For your information I will not travel to Australia this season, so NO TOCUMWAL JOURNAL, but have enough family and friends there to keep you informed.
After 7 troublesome months [ very tired and NO energy] as result of the moderna booster jab, I am nearly back to normal, but a 24 hour trip down order is just too much.
Hopefully next season again.
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.393 on November 30 2022

—–When you have to make an out landing at this stage in the wet parts of Australia you have to be prepared that this can be difficult. A landing in a crop might be pretty safe as long as the canola is not too high .
Such a landing happened around Tocumwal and Joergen was so kind to share some pictures from Bernie ‘s outlanding.

And when you wonder who is Joergen, here you are;

—–It ‘s nice to see that USA pilot Kathy Fosha is back in Lake Keepit. She must have good memories on flying from that field during the Aussie- Keepit- 10th-WWGC in January 2020.
Her first flight back down under was in a Discus ; 447 km.
Last Monday she flew in a Discus A 361 km.
“Day was better than expected. Was a bit pessimistic and grumpy on the ground, and pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a great day. Good fun!“

–—–Also great to see that my friend Daan [Pare] flies in Kiripotib with his son Thijs ; a father-son-week in the ARCUS M. One day Daan “leads”, the other day Thijs, who I know since he was a toddler.
On Friday Thijs was “the leading man” ; “Plan A was to go around the Windhoek TMA, however some showers in the north made us chance our minds. So we conjured plan B which was to go south, where we joined the giant motorway that ran into Botswana. Great day!“1.063 km with 140 km./h!
Last Friday , indeed, they had in Namibia “one of those days” again.
With 26 x a 1000 km,; one 1.169 km [1000 FAI triangle !!!!] by Eric Schneider in an Ventus 3 M /18m. with 150 km./h.! He is one of those young ones who “get” a glider from the junior sponsor for Bitterwasser Wilfried Grosskinsky. Eric felt “over the moon”, grateful, but was a bit annoyed with himself that he/it started half an hour late. So the flight could have been even better!!!
During his very first flight in Bitterwasser, with Klaus [Reinhold] in the Arcus, they flew with great lift and lines, 1.145 km….so great practice.
Those young Germans say it more enthusiastic; Toller tag, Geil, Hammer steigen and tolle Linien.
Longest flight that November -day -25, was 1.240 km. in the mighty EB 28 from Bitterwasser.

—–They started last Friday on November 26 in Bitterwasser with Wilfried’s 1000 km. camp for young pilots.
Wilfried himself took young Max Maslak for a ride in the EB 28;
“A very good day with the usual first hour in the blue, but then under lines to SS….! For Max, the first flight in Africa was full of excitement….! All in all, a very good team performance, with Max getting along excellently with the big plane!“
Tobias Pachowsky another young talent, flew the Ventus 3 on this day 1 and was as enthusiastic as all others flying solo or “with” during the camp.
He mentioned it was a pity that the final approach thermal didn’t want to come. But at least they flew the 1000 k.
“What a day today. Was really incredibly fun. Especially with Eric together in the team. At the beginning it was really tough up to the clouds. After that, going north, things went very well in the team. The leg to the southeast was the absolute top hammer. Lift everywhere. Maybe we flew a little too far to the southeast. On the way back, the line deteriorated properly and we had a headwind. In the end it wasn’t quite enough for the 1000 fai.
Still a great day and the Ventus is an absolute machine. Thanks for this opportunity!!!”
Wilfried and Tobias had another good flight yesterday in the EB 28, together with Max , now in the Ventus 3;
“Day 4 1000km Camp Bitterwasser.
A weather situation with high instability, overdevelopment and thunderstorms in the evening.
The right routing and timing was the prerequisite for the success of the day!
Another new experience for Tobias and Max, which can only be mastered in a team flight.
Definitely exciting up to the last minute, with a common frequency providing great help and security for everyone!” 1.215 km [ 995 FAI] with 150 km./h. and 1.159 km. with 143 km./h.
Those young ones must have the best time in their lives, whilst en passant, learning more than ever before.

——Veronica is getting more and more a host for all International pilots. I noticed pilots from Germany, Israel [6!!!! all from the Negev Gliding Center] ] Poland, Czech Rep. and the UK.
Kiripotib shared great news;
“Gabriela Beláková and Antónia Sulírová set a Slovak record today (not yet confirmed). The 750 km FAI triangle was never flown before by a female Slovak team. Congrats ladies!”
125 km./h in the ARCUS M.

———South Africa’s MAGIC WORCESTER, had the same great weather last Friday; 1.154 km by Mathias Schunk together with our -long-time-ago-in-Tocumwal-kilometer-eater Uwe [Thiele] ;143 km./h.
On Saturday they went up again and had an even longer flight, what do you expect else from 2 kilometer-eaters in One ARCUS M;1.302 km. with a speed of 145 km./h.
One of our other frequent-Toc-flyers is in Worcester too; Michael Godoj.
2 Over 700 km flights till now.
This OLC is such a fabulous way of “following” old mates.

–——–The weather down under is in spring mood. When you can fly 507 km. in a St. JANTAR [SZD 48-1] from Beverley in the West, that’s just good by Ross McLernon!!!! 95 km./h.
What I remember from the past is that the weather in the early season was good in the East moving through the time/seasons via the South to the West.
Last Saturday Norm [Bloch] flew already a 730 km in his JS 3/18m with 130 km./h. so a
great start of the Western season.
Also Tocumwal on the Murray river had a good day and frequent-Toc- flyer Ken from Japan, tried out his beautiful “toy” again after the covid -years.

—–Staying down under, with lovely news about Beryl from the FAI AWARDS
“Beryl Hartley, has been awarded the prestigious FAI PAUL TISSANDIER DIPLOMA, named in honor of Paul Tissandier, Secretary General of FAI from 1919 to 1945. This diploma is awarded to those who have served the cause of aviation in general and sporting aviation in particular.”
And I have personally seen and heard how she served gliding…in an unbelievable way.
NOTHING WAS TOO MUCH FOR HER!!!!
MORE THAN DESERVED!!!
Congratulations Beryl.
Also the Integrated Training Panel has won the FAI award for Group Diplomas of Honor.
“Gliding Australia is proud to announce that its training programme steering group has won this award.
This award recognizes the team’s hard work in developing a common pathway for training pilots in core skills as well as soaring and cross country through standardising materials and adopting modernised training techniques.”
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

——one of the kilometer eaters flying in Argentina Juan Pablo Verdura flew last week, for the first time far South from his departure spot Zapala, passing many other departure points to fly a total of 1.844 km [131 km./h] in the Ventus 2CM/18m.
The South indeed was good, as another kilometer-eater Swiss pilot Jean Marc Perrin started from Jose De Saint Mart, where Juan Pablo turned. Jean Marc flew in his DG 808/15 m 1.484 km. [130 km./h] !!!

——-One of the colleagues of both my ex George and my daughter Inge, Harold ,wrote a book about his time in the cockpit, flying for Transavia.
It could be a nice Sinterklaas or Christmas present for Dutch reading friends.
With exotic destinations, inside stories and exciting news from the cockpit.
Now no cost to send it and only 22 Euro as” end-of-the-year-present”.
If you order from Australia there might be cost for sending??!!

–—–And to finish this fabulous picture from Kurstjens Farming Australia / Beefwood Farms,
The pictures has nothing to do with gliding but with gliding pilots.
My friends Pam and Gerrit have created an awesome business in Australia. CHAPEAU!!!!!
With help from hardworking, very motivated people from different parts of the world their business is huge!
In between they fly their gliders [EB 29 R and ASH 31/21m] from Mccaffrey Field [Queensland] as well.
And once in a while when they are back in Holland , they visit me. Belgium beer, TRAPPIST with grenadine for all 3 of us in bar Jo d’un Urste! Early spring 2022.

CU next Wednesday.
Cheers Ritz