Post 1.496 on May 12 2024
EXTRA EDITION!!!!! SOooo many comps…posts are getting TOO long!!!!

HAHNWEIDE EDITION 56.
4 May 2024 – 11 May 2024

They were not lucky with the weather. When I left you they had only 1 day out of 4.
Wednesday was not better , but they tried hard again to send 18 m with 34 pilots/gliders up in the air.

18m;
Task 3; 164.85 km…. May 8. They had to wait,……gliders and pilots at the grid, ready and eager to go!!!! For sure the weather looked a tad better, but to send 34 gliders up in the air , this air should be strong enough to give them good height.

In the end they had to wait too long….. the small window to fly in did not appear. The ETA sniffed again managed to fly the task,[with it’s long wings] but only just, so wise decision to scrub the day.
In the evening time to socialise with the “BERGFEST”, a BBQ with so to see nice meat and lots of vegies .

May 9….FINALLY…GREAT WEATHER!!!! HURRAY. After 4 non flying days the weather gods must have thought “This is Hahnweide they MUST fly here ” !
Pilots however knew that this was going to happen as they have a good meteorologist over there.
So well- rested ,they start hopefully ,3 good days. In the evening there was fun again with a special dinner for Fathers-day.
In 1 hour and 30m minutes they had all 97 gliders airborne. Great job!!!!!
Flying-day 2;
15 m; 369.81 km….a bit of a French day as 5 ended in the top 10 for the day. Lucas Oyaux in Discus 2 won the day; speed 103.89 km./h AND …a 1000 points day!!!
All 22 did start,but 1 had an airspace infringement, so he got DNS in front of his name.
18m; 515.77 km….and Mario [Kiessling] won again, after he won task 1 already;119.93 km./h. I remember him as young guy at Terlet for the first JWGC.[1999] UK pilots Pete Harvey and Phil Jones followed with 117 and 116 km,/h.
open; 504.55 km...EB/ETA- day. With 121.15 km./h Markus Frank [EB 29R] was the daily best for 1000 points.His mate Holger Karow [EB28 edition] , was just a tad slower; 117.96 km./h whilst the ETA with Uli and Keith flew around with 110.87 km./h.
12 started and 3 were out.
2-seaters; 410.31 km…..All 20 started and 4 were out. Tomas Rendla & Pavel Jiranek [ARCUS M] were the daily winners with 116.38 km./h. Louis Bouderlique & Philippe de Péchy had 20 points less for 114.96 km./h.

Flying day 3; May 10 ….. penultimate day.
First launch at 11.30. In front of the grid ; 18 m ,then 15 m and the 2 seaters and open.
“today they fly in open the biggest distance till now.The competition area is not the easiest to fly.“

15 m; 399.05 km …..all 21 still in the race, started and FINISHED!!!Julien Duboc won with 127 km./h quite a bit faster than runner up Sebastian Naegel with 122.56 km./h . Sebastian is in the lead overall with 1 day to go.
18m; 592.45 km…..5x a Ventus 3 in the top 5.“Super Mario “won ,127.76 km./h. The manufacturer of his Ventus 3, Tilo was runner up, Sebastian Beule, Thomas Gostner and Wim Akkermans followed with speed between 126 and 123 km./h36 started and 1 was out after 538 km.A pity!
open; 572.88 km….yesterday it was Markus and Holger, today it is Holger and Markus;130 11 km./h.
10 started ,2 had problems with airspace and 1 was out after 462 km.
2-seaters; 433.45 km….9 ARCUS-types in the top 10. Best speed by team Norbert Sommer; 125.39 km./h. Runners up; French team louis and Philippe.
ALL 20 started AND finished!

Flying day 4; In the end they got the real nice soaring weather. Tasks were inherent to that. So pilots could gain or loose, as of course on every day, but on the penultimate day ,it is binding!!!
FINAL day;
15 m; 4 hour AAT...435.38 km with a speed of 107.29 km./h was flown in a Discus 2CT by Jannis Däuble. He was the first to go on track at 13.29. Timothy Scot had a great final day and moved up from 4 to 2. Sebastian on 1 overall was 7th, but just held on.
All 21 started and 1 was out.
FINAL SCORES in 15 m. after 4 out of 8 days;
1. Sebastian Nägel [Germany] in Discus 2A with 3,571 points.
2. Timothy Scott [UK] in ASG 29 with 3,557 points.
3. Howard Jones [UK] in Discus 2A with 3,545 points.

18m; 4 hour AAT….Good “old” Tilo in his own Ventus 3 started early with the 2 Italian pilots Stefano and Thomas. 479.12 km with 116.57 km./h. Mario was on spot 12, but hold on as did Pete, who was on a daily 13th spot after keeping a tactic- eye on Mario , as they were on spot 1 and 2 overall.
All 37 started and 1 was out due to airspace .
FINAL SCORES in 18 m;
1. Mario Kiessling [Germany] in Ventus 3T with 3,739 points.
2. Peter Harvey [UK] in Ventus 3T with 3,559 points.
3. Sebastian Beule [Germany] in Ventus 3M with 3,539

open; 3.30 AAT...494.41 km with 135.90 km./h was the winning combi for Markus. Nearly 10 k faster and nearly 30 k more, than Jim who was runner up .
All 12 flew and finished.
FINAL SCORES in open class;
1. Markus Frank [Germany] in EB 29R with 3,600 points.
2. Holger Karow [Germany[ in EB 28 edition with 3,330 points.
3. Jim Acketoft [Sweden] in EB 29DR with 3,269 points.

2-seaters; 3.30 AAT….Louis and Philippe flew 389.90 km in 3.31 so a speed of 110.62 km./h in the Arcus M. When the day started they were overall behind Norbert[Sommer] and his mate Franz. When the day was over they topped the list!1000 points for 945.
All 20 started and 1 was out after 284 km.
FINAL SCORES in 2-seaters;
1. Bouderlique & de Péchy [France] in ARCUS M with 3,628 points.
2. Sommer & Gall [Germany] in ARCUS M with 3,589 points.
3. Hillebrand & Kopsieker [Germany] in ARCUS M with 3,457 points.
That was only 10 points more than team Schramme; 3447 points.

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FAI SGP in SPAIN….Santa Cilia De Jaca
5 May 2024 – 11 May 2024

These races ar flown in 15 m figuration.
Race 1; 141.98 km…was won by French pilot Max Seis. Kevin Faur [FR] in Ventus 2a, was runner up. Jon Gatfield [UK] was wing-to-wing with him , both got 8 points.
Race 2; 218.26 km…..with a start at 14.20 for the 9 pilots on that day. A race starting with many mistakes by several pilots and I missed Ayala from the UK, who flew in race 1. She then was on spot 10 from 12. Max won again and needed 1.53,50; 115.4 km./h . 20 points in total now for him.
Jon in an AS33es was runner up; 113.8 km./h. and 16 points for him.
Race 3; 237.74 km....Glider 85, was the best and that’s the JS 3 from Max.; time 2.13.48 meaning 106 km./h . With 104 km./h it was Kevin and Stanislaw Biela in Ventus 3 just behind him.Max leads comfortably after 3 flown races. 30 points. Kevin has 24 and Jon 23 points.
11 started and Ayala was one of them on a daily spot 7 and overal with 3 points.
Race 4; 268.39 km...Jon was just a tad faster than Max, so not another daily win but still 38 points overall for Max and leading. Jon has 32 and Kevin 30. Ayala did well with a 4th spot for the day.
Race 5; 303.92 km…start at 14.30.…Kevin won! He is still very young, flies a lot as far as I can follow and is getting better and better.BUT NO,…a few minutes later it was Klaus Kalmbach in JS 3 who won the day.
With 45 points Max still leads followed by Kevin with 38 and Jon with 36.
The final-day games started!
Race 6, penultimate day; 208.45 km changed in task B; 199.84 km.. Start at 14.50. Who wins the 2 tickets for the FINAL????? In the end it turned out the 2 French pilots.
When you have flown SO well and get an extra point by winning the last day, the 11 points were for daily winner Max. Only just, as his speed was 128.8 km./h for 128.6 for Stanislaw.
FINAL SCORES for the first stage of the 12th edition.
1. Maximilian Seis [France] in JS 3 with 56 points. off to the final later.
2. Kévin Faur [France] in Ventus 2a with 45 points.
3. Jon Gatfield [UK] in AS 33 with 42 points.

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Dutch Nationals 2024 at TERLET
7 May 2024 – 18 May 2024

Thursday May 9 was the beginning of this competition with 44 competitors in 4 classes. They had bad and reasonable practice days , Bad as in NO FLYING , pretty good as in results of 112 km./h over a set task over 323 km.in 18 m.
Task 1 straight away had “nice” weather;
Club; 288.07 km….9 pilots in this class….Thies Bruins was the daily winner. A bit unlucky with a wind-gust in Narromine at the WGC, damaging his glider behind the car, he shows again what a talented glider pilot he is. He then was runner up with a few days to go. Now he started well in his ASW 20WL. All 9 started and 1 was out after 281 km. Grrrr…..
18 m; 359.86 km...14 pilots….nearly all of the 14 participants in this class have flown WGC ‘s or EGC’s. Only 1 was out. Jeroen Verkuijl [JS3] won the day ;109.22 km./h.
open; 369.94 km..…9 pilots or teams…All 9 started AND finished. Daily winner in EB 29R was Francois Jeremiasse;118.78 km./h. Marco Vermeer and Ronald Termaat in Nimbus 4DT were runner up; 108.08 km./h.
combi; 315.48 km...12 pilots or teams ….Erik Borgmann and Matthijs van Houweninge in the ARCUS M were the best ; 102.71 km./h . They l;ook READY for Uvalde in August. On spot 3 another pilot with over 100 km./h ; Ralph Nijhof in ARCUS T. In between ” my” former junior Robbie [Seton] in LS8 neo; 95.90 km/h.

Friday May 10, another GOOD DAY! First start at 12 PM.
task 2 was changed before start.
club; 286.27 km ……changed in 219.77 km...same winner and runner up as the day before; Thies and Jeroen and NO they do not start together; 14.03 and 13.54.
All 9 started and finished.
18m; 377.20 km….310.73 km. Hadriaan van Nes in JS1BTJ won the day with a speed of 117.77 km./h Good to see Belgian guest Rik [van den Boer] was runner up in JS3j.
All started and finished.
open; 410.78 km…359.56 km..Both EB’s did well. Francois won again with 115.71 km./h and runners up Marco[Vermeer] and Max [Leenders] had 108.10 km./h.
All 9 started and finished.
combi;  323.30 km….291.10 km...Good practice again for Erik and Matthijs. If they want to score high in Uvalde they have to fly well, so they do. Mind you Erik was already WGC runner up in Borlange [1993] in Standard Class behind Andy Davis.

Saturday May 11; it started good here, about 100 km more S. with blue skies and clouds popping up , but at 11 it looked more “milky”. They fly direction East into Germany, but not far. Borken and Kleve
Task 3;
Club; 2.45 AAT...with 230 km and a speed of 83.19 km./h “Thies did it again.” Robin [Smit] runner up at the JWGC in Narromine, was runner up for this day.
9 pilots started AND finished!!
18 m; 2.30 AAT…our Belgian friend Rik won the day. 233 km./ 91.76 km./h.just ahead of well known toppers in the Netherlands Sikko and Steven.[90.37 and 90.14 km./h]
14 started and 2 were out.
open; 2.30 AAT…240km/ 93 km./h for Marco and Ronald in the Nimbus 4DT. Good to see Bas [Seijffert] in this class, he just lost his dad.
9 started 1 was out.
combi; 2.30 AAT…NO Erik and Mathijs but van Breemen & Danen in ARCUS M, on the daily highest spot; 221 km/82.80 km./h. Runner up in LS 6 Sylvain vd Meer from the DSA, the students from Delft!
All 12 started and 11 finished.

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—Too many comps at once so a great picture from Aero Club Adele Orsi Acao . The Coppa from the town of Varese was flown between May 4 and 11.

After 4 out of 8 flown days, the CUP was handed over to Peter Hartmann & Passardi in ARCUS T.
The open class was won by Alberto Sironi & Venturini in ARCUS T.

——The Rayskala open 2024 was won in CLUB CLASS [with 12 participants] by Kim Toppari in LS7WL, after 6 out of 8 days.
In OPEN ,with 6 participants, Nuutti Kankare in Ventus 3 was the winner after 7 out of 8 days.

—-Europe ,but also THE WORLD, at least parts of it, had amazing colorful skies AURORA, the Northern Light was on its best.The strongest sun/solar storm since 2003 created the best of the best we ever saw. A stunning display of lights /colors.

EXTRA edition to avoid soar eyes from too long blogs.
Enjoy.
Back on Wednesday with the latest on the DUTCH NATIONALS!
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.495 on May 8 2024

31thiest KLIX competition
26 April 2024 – 4 May 2024

They continued on Wednesday ,after I published my blog.So here we go again….
Only 1 class had the privilege of flying that day; May 1…only 2-seaters.
Task 6;
2-Seaters; 2.45 AAT…..My Dutch mates , Van Nes & de Boer, Hadriaan and Ronald, “used” the day well by winning in their DUO DISCUS XLT/FES; 259 km/ 94.33 km./h.
ALL 27 pilots STARTED and FINISHED!!!!!

May 2; definitely better weather …. they flew in all 4 classes. But,.. at places,….wind up to 50 k /h.
Task 7;
18m; 3.15 AAT……31 started and 27 finished. To win the day with 395 km. with a speed of 121.54 km./h you needed a NIMBUS 4D. Team Wilken / Swagemakers did so for 921 points.
2 ASH 25’s followed and the first 18 m class glider was the ASG 29 from Swedish pilot Peter Johansson.
Start times between 13.08 and 13.41.
2-seaters; 2.45 AAT....27 started ,22 finished. ASG 32 MI -day as they were on spot 1 and 2. Scheffe & Losse won the day with 324.44 km with a speed of 114.21 km./h which was about 8 km./h faster than the runners up [299.94 km/2.46.28]
The DUO from Hadriaan and Ronald was 8th for the day, but they still lead overall in this class.
In the end it turned out that this was their last flying day.
standard; 345 AAT.…17 started and 15 finished. An Italian daily winner; Lorenzo Monti in a LAK 19.Good on him. 367 km /96.75 km./h.
Chrissie and Sabrina were on spot 4 and 6, starting together but with many more pilots at 13.02.
It turned out to be their last flying day.
Club; 2 hour AAT..…Top 3, Germany, Italy and Sweden….Julius Lübstorf won in an LS 3A and moved up from spot 7 overall to 2. Food day for him. Alessandro in a Discus was runner up, whilst Samuel in a MOSQUITO B was 3d.
After 7 tasks the Italians are on spot 1, 6-7-8- and 10 overall.
26 started and 19 finished.

May 3; only 1 class flew….. CLUB. A fday with less wind but with thunderstorms and rain.
task 8; 2 hour AAT…..very marginal day with 28 starters and 3 finishers. Marcus Dawert in a DG 300 was the daily winner and moved up from 4 to 2 overall.
He was followed by 2 Polish pilots in a Pegase and SZD 55.
With 1 more day to go Alessandro leads before Marcus and Julius; 3.070…3.011 and 2.950.
Everything is still possible on this last day when the weather co-operates.

May 4; very last day!! Only 2 classes fly and YES club is one of them. They tried hard, but…..
Task 9 for 18m; 233.65 km….CANCELLED
Task 9 for CLUB; 141.61 km….CANCELLED

Overall scores ;
18 m after 9 task [5 flying days];
1. Andreas Kühl from Germany in JS 3 with 3,795 points
2. Dirk Windmueller from Germany in AS33es with 3.780 points.
3. Steven Raimond from The Netherlands in AS33es with 3.742 points.

Overall scores 2 seaters after 7 tasks [5 flying days] ;
1. Van Nes & de Boer from The Netherlands in DUO DISCUS XLT with 3,256 points.
2. Tom Jørgensen from Denmark in ARCUS E/M/T with 2.927 points.
3. Scheffe & Losse from Germany in ASG 32MI with 2.921 points…..6 points ONLY.
And as they only missed out on 10 points on number 3; Schmied & Becker in DUO DISCUS.[2.911]

Overall scores STANDARD after 7 tasks [5 flying days] ;
1. Janne Nord from Sweden in Discus 2T with 4,045 points,…. a very clear winner!!!
2. Christian Lampert from Germany in Discus 2A with 3,692 points.
3. Poul Kim Larsen from Denmark in LS 8T with 3,682 points.

Overall scores CLUB after 9 tasks on 5 flying days;
1. Alessandro Bassalti from Italy in Discus a/b/cs with 3.070 points.
2. Marcus Dawert from Germany in DG 300 with 3.011 points.
3.  Julius Lübstorf from Germany in LS3a with 2.950 points.

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In Germany they continued with another very interesting competition the one close to the Schempp-Hirth business; Kirchheim Teck; THE HAHNWEIDE.

56th International Hahnweide competition.
Between May 4 and 11 another 93 pilots will participate in 4 classes.

Seventy2one keep a blog and here is their first news;
“The first day of Hahnweide 2024 is finally here and the anticipation is building as the grid is set and ready for the initial launch. Team Schwenk, Uli and Joachim will be taking to the skies today ,while Keith takes some time to recover from jet lag.
The forecast looks promising after the next couple of days when a few showers are expected to pass through.The last half of the competition is forecast for clearer skies and better flying conditions.“

Saturday May 4; Remembrance day here in The Netherlands.
Base ; 1700 m.
15 m; 2.30 AAT.…22 in this class from 4 different countries. 4 Discus gliders in the top 4. Daily winner; Jannis Däuble in Discus 2CT. [237.22 km. / 93.40 km./h] Runner up from the UK; Howard Jones; 251 km/.91.56 km./h. Sebastian Naegel was 3d. I know him from his junior time.
All 22 started and 4 were out. The French fly with 9 in this class.
18m; 2.30 AAT….39 pilots and a few former world champions from 10 different countries. Mario Kiessling [Germany] was the daily best with 270.90 km/ 103.84 km./h. Runners up from the UK, Russell Cheetham and Pete Harvey, missing out on 10 and 17 daily points.
36 started and 9 were “out”….. Among them Italian toppers Stefano Ghiorzo and Thomas Gostner.
open: 2 hour AAT….12 pilots , a few REALLY good ones!!!! 5 EB’s in different figuration, 4 JS 1 c/21 m, ASH 31Mi/21m, the Eta and an ASH 25Mi.
All 12 started and the EB 29DR with Swedish pilot Jim Acketoft was the daily best;237.50 km/ 113.76 km./h. German pilots Markus Frank and Holger Karow both in the EB were on spot 2 and 3. Markus started at 14.31 so rather late and Holger at 13.56. Last departure was at 15.21.
2-seaters; 2 hour AAT….20 pilots and several WGC participants.All 20 started and finished!!!! Except for an HP 304 M, Duo Discus and AS( 32. ALL gliders are and ARCUS M or T.
Daily winners Sommer/Gall and with equal points Bouderlique/Depechy . Both 677 points for 239.70 km/ 109.34 km./h and 220.73 km/ 109.31 km./h

NO flying on Sunday May 5.

Monday; May 6. NO FLYING!!!

May 7; 18 m class flies!!!! Day 2 from 4,…not the best weather there unfortunately.
18m; 175 km….. but CANCELLED.

The better weather is definitely coming. I hope for a few good last days over there at the Hahnweide.
You can read it next Wednesday.

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FATRAGLIDE
Martin, Slovakia…..28 April 2024 – 7 May 2024

They were more blessed with the weather. A long time ago 2 pilots from Martin flew with us in Tocumwal, nice “blokes”. When we spoke about FATRAGLIDE, we found out that there were mountains; the TATRAS.
We Dutchies in Australia had no clue. Must have been end nineties.
Their slogan ; The mountains are calling!
They accepted 60 pilots and ..THEY GOT 60.

Yesterday was their last day, so I look back on what happened on 2 of the 3 class; Club and combi.
Club;
Task 1; 3 hour AAT…..27 started and 15 finished.Quite a lot forgot their PEV. But they had a winner too; Jozef Kozar in an LS1f; 244 km. speed 79.16 km./h. Tibot was 11th and HE visited us , I even believe twice.
Task 2; 2.30 AAT….24 started and only 4 did not finish. Julia won the day, good on her; Julia Walowska in a St Jantar; 239.85 km/ 94.32 km./h.
Task 3; 2.15 AAT....26 started and 4 did not finish. All starts around 2PM. Jan Horak in ASW 20 b was the daily winner.
Task 4; 2 hour AAT….Martin Sabla [ASW 20] was the lucky daily winner; 210 km with a speed of just over 100 km./h The only pilot with a speed over 100 km./h.
Task 5; 2 hour AAT…..a 2d daily win for Jozef Kozar.191.60km/ 89.88 km./h.
23 started and 10 finished
After all the “hard work” the pilots did not fly on May3 . NO TASK.
Task 6; 368.34 km racing task. A 1000 points-day!!!!Best speed 102 km./h for 2 pilots; Simon Siska in ASW 24WL and Milan Surovcík Jr; 20 points difference. Tibor [ASW20c] was 3d!
On May 5; NO TASK.
Task 7; 2 hour AAT….Simon and Milan-day again. ….won by Simon in his ASW 24 with 210 km. / 103/41 km./h. and Milan missed out on 8 points this day.’ 210 /103. 71 km./h.
They are on spot 2 and 3 overall ,as on spot 1 it is Wiktor Czubski in SZD 55, a very constant pilot flying himself except for 1 day [10th] in the top 5.,,,but no daily win.
On May 7 NO TASK.

Overall scores after 7 out of 10 days.
1. Wiktor Czubski in SZD 55 with 4,689 points.
2. Milan Surovcik Jr. in ASW 20 with 4,527 points.
3. Simon Siska in ASW 24 WL with 4,486 points.

Combi class;
Task 1….3 hour AAT.…28 started and 3 did not finish. Tibor Noga in Ventus 2c won the day; 311 km/ 103.70 km./h.
Task 2; 3 hour AAT.…28 started/24 finished. Milos Srank in ASG 29 won; 322.82 km/ 106.42 km./h.
Task 3; 272.04 km…a racing task …all 28 started again and 22 finished. Marek Straka was the daily winner in Ventus 2CXT; 107.7 km./h.
Task 4; 2.15 AAT.…Vaclav Hruza flying a HpH 304MS Shark 18m 600 kg was the daily best and Pavol Cerny, the only name with Tibor, I know from all these pilots , was runner up in the same glider.519 and 511 points.
All 28 started and only 2 did not finish.
Task 5; 2 hour AAT....won by Pavol Cerny with 191.53 km/95.77 km./h.
On May 3 NO TASK.
Task 6; 435.27 km….nice racing task for the pilots. Pavol won again and he was quite a bit faster than the runner up Roman Petro in a DG 1000T; 111.13 km./h for 101.81 km./h. Only 4 pilots flew over 100 km./h.
25 started the day and ONLY 7 finished ,some were close.
Task 7; 2 hour AAT....Marek Pechanec in JS3 RES won the day; 252 km/ 124.63. Clearly the best as the runner up flew 238,52 km/119.26 km./h in JS1BTJ.
On May 7 NO TASK.

Overall scores after 7 out of 10 days;
1. Pavol Cerny in HpH 304MS Shark 18m 600 kg with 4,173 points.
2. Marek Pechanec in JS3 RES 18m with 4,070 points
3. Branislav Jesensky in JS1-C TJ 21 with 3,711 points.

The JUNIOR CLASS had 10 pilots and was won by Wiktor Czubski in SZD 55.

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Last week I showed a picture from a glider hanging “nicely” in a tree, after a misjudged, “just that much” miss, ” a dozen meters away from the border of the field” by hitting with a wing the tree, for a soft arrival in it.
Here is how they got it out and it still looks pretty OK.

—–Here in The Netherlands we had some great skies certainly on Friday may 3. Look on these pictures from Arjan at Terlet; CU’s changed in CB’s.
All gliders were in time in the hangar or trailer.

–—One of the great glider pilots , an outstanding person in the Dutch gliding world , passed away on April 25 , age 89.
Frits Seijffert was also known as TC at several WGC’s. [Marfa, Yugo Slavia] His son Bas is a top glider pilot nowadays.
Frits was a very likeable guy, you could only like him. I know him as some kind of soaring-hero, as he was the generation just before us, very involved, specially in competition flying. We looked up at them!
I am sure also a lot of my older international readers know him.
When Frits was a member of the Delft Student Aeroclub [DSA] , I was a member of the ZES, gliding club from students from Eindhoven. We had some contact, but getting older we met at more comps.
R.I.P. dear FRITS.

Last year I was still talking to him during the DUTCH NATIONALS, he was pretty fragile then.
These Nationals start tomorrow AND….the weather seems to co-operate! Sunday is also MOTHERDAY and it might be 27 dgr C here.

The first of the 12th FAI SGP events has started in Spain flown from the Santa Cilia Aerodrome. They fly in 15 m configuration.
Today is day 2 , they did not fly on day 1 MAY 5. Yesterday , RACE 1, 141.98 km with a regatta start at 14.35 was won by Max Seis from France [JS3 jet ] followed by Kevin Faur also from France in Ventus 2A..
More next week.

CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.494 on May 1 2024 LABOUR DAY

The competitions during this early pretty cold spring ,continue and one of them is the busy one flown from Klix in Germany between April 26 and May 4. They have 107 pilots in 4 classes.
On April 26 they started straight away with task 1;
18m; 2.30 AAT.…. Pawel Wojciechowski from Poland was the first daily winner in this class. With 338 km. in time 2.48…120,79 km./h….. he deserved 748 points in his ASG 29.
Same speed but just 12 points less were for my Dutch mate Steven Raimond in his brand new AS 33 /Es /Me 18m. 3d spot for him, in between as runner up Swedish pilot Markus Ganev in Ventus 3 FMT.
In the end 33 started in this class and 26 finished.
double seater;2 hour AAT....Wollschläger & Kaufeld in a Duo Discus X-plus, [many times XL,XT,XLT XLFES] 219 km speed 103 km./h. About the same as the Dutch runner up’s, Hadriaan van Nes/Ronald de Boer.
25 started and only 1 was out.
standard; 2.30 AAT…327.54 km for daily winner Christian Lampert in a Discus 2a.
18 started in this class and 13 finished. Quite a few TOP-“girls” in this class as Chrissie [Grote] world champion in 2003 and 2013, Sabrina [Vogt] , world champion in 2015 and 2017, Petra [Zimmermann-Lauer] and from Italy the youngest from the Fergnani family ,Michelle.
club; 3 hour AAT.…Lukas Brune flew in his ASW 20 290.55 km with a speed of 96.85 km./h. for 1000 points!!!
All 31 started and 24 finished among them Elena world champion in 2020, and her brother Andrea Fergnani fom Italy.

April 27 Task 2;
18m; 385.53 km….with 120 km./h in a Discus2C/ TFES, the daily winner was Christian Schneiders.
31 Started and 28 finished.
double-seaters; 239.08 km….. Hadriaan in his Duo Discus won with a speed of 119.62 km./h Of course the many Arcus types were a bit faster with as best speed 124 km./h flown to spot 3 by Danish pilot Tom Jørgensen. Nice to see that Aldo , who has done lately many comps as CD, is flying now in an Arcus and was runner up with his mate Etalle.
26 started and 24 finished!!
Standard; 278.69 km….120 km./h was the fastest flight by Janne Nord in a Discus 2T.About 5 k faster than the Danish runner up Poul Kim Larsen.
18 started and 1 was out. Bit of an off-day for Chrissie on spot 15.
Club; 262.09 km….Marcus Dawert in a DG 300-plus, flew around with 107 km./h Runner’s up 2 Italian pilots in Discus and ASW 24.
All 31 started and 27 finished.

April 28 task 3 ONLY for 18m and standard class;
18m; 261.47 km….
Standard; 203.64 km….
In the end they cancelled for ALL classes.

April 29; Task 4 and better weather…so all classes FLY!!!
18m; 3 hour AAT.. and “our” Sjaak Selen [ASG 29] won the day;310 km with a speed of 99.32 km./h for 668 points. Just a tad less points for “our” Steven in his AS33es; 658. They started and finished about the same time.
31 started and 28 finished.
2-seaters; 2 hour AAT…..27 started and 25 finished.Good to see Aldo won the day in the ARCUS [ 199 km and 98 km./h. my Dutch mates in the Duo Discus keep going well too; runner up with 193 km and a speed of 90 km./h.
Standard 3 hour AAT....The Scandinavian pilots are doing well in Klix , specially in this class.Swedish Janne flew 277 km [speed 89.66 km./h] and Danish Poul Kim 271 in time 3.04 ; 88 km./h.Sabrina and Chrissie were on 5 and 6 .
17 started and 15 finished.
Club; 2 hour AAT…..30 started and 26 finished .Best for the day Italian pilot Lapo Alessandro Busi in ASW 20. Elena, also from Italy, in her Discus was 3d and started 15 minutes later.

April 30; Task 5..even better weather, they hoped!!!!Flying day 4 out of 5.
18 m; 3.30 AAT….The Swedish pilots did well with a first and 4th spot, this is a bit their weather; Peter Johansson in an ASG29 flew 324 km in time 3.19[speed 97,47 km./h] But for sure the weather was not perfect as only 18 from29 finished. Late start , mostly around 3PM and the last finisher at 6.35 PM.
2-seaters; 2.30 AAT.…Maybe for that reason the day for this class was scrubbed.
standard; 3 hour AAT….ONLY 3 from 17 finished. Both flying a DISCUS.Carsten Büddig flew around with 80 km./h over 252 km and that says enough of the struggle the pilots in this class had. He had an early start at 2.09PM.
The runner up Janne Nord showed a lot of stamina ,he needed 4 hours and 23 minutes, BUT HE FINISHED. Compliments for Janne from Sweden, who flew 331 km with a “speed” of 75 km./h.
club; 2.15 AAT....scrubbed.

NO TASKS YET for today. If they get the heavy thunderstorms we had last night , it might be tricky.

The weather in Germany was yesterday really good for soaring on other places ; 1.037 km in a Ventus 3 from Binningen and from Austria 1.336.76 km was flown in an ASH 31 /21 m. [Trieben] and from Wiener Neustadt in a Ventus B/15 m. with Wing lets 1.209.87 km.

———————————————————————-

——–Glider Forever /Jens Trabolt shared news in their very good and informative MAGAZINE NORDIC GLIDING, about the newest on Schempp-Hirth:
“Ventus self-launches electrically for the first time!
Schempp-Hirth made the maiden flight yesterday [April 25]afternoon with the fully electrified Ventus E at Hahnweide. The basis is the Solo system, which we also know from the JS3 RES, but Schempp-Hirth has upgraded some of the main components, including bigger motor and propeller.”
https://nordicgliding-com.translate.goog/ventus-selvstarter-elektrisk-for-foerste-gang/
https://nordicgliding-com.translate.goog/ventus…/…

———Schempp-Hirth mentioned;
“#VentusE Airborne on its own for the first time!
Not only did we make the maiden flight yesterday with the Ventus E, we also did the first self launch!
Efficient, smooth and beautiful to look at – these are only a few characteristics, which describe our new baby well.
We are very proud of our whole team, who worked hard for this success and are looking forward to the next steps with the best support!“
On a short video you can see it goes up smooth and fast.

———Gliding Australia sent a very sad message last Sunday;
“We are deeply saddened to report an accident yesterday at Mount Beauty Airport involving a Grob G109B Motor-Glider, which resulted in two fatalities. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of both the pilot and the passenger.[A lady] Gliding Australia is providing full support in the ongoing investigations. For more information, please read our complete statement: https://glidingaustralia.org/glidingaccidentapr24/ “
VERY SAD!!!! Mount Beauty is a pretty active club in one of the most beautiful areas in Victoria. Have been there and enjoyed every minute.So sad that this happened.

——--Young Ben Fuglsang-Petersen flew in the “old” ASW 15 B a distance of 846 km and “used” 9 hours and 36 minutes to do so, on April 23. CHAPEAU for this young man!
A nice long jo-jo -flight flight, with an early start, in arctic air with clear visible cu’s so not a lot of thermalling, he could nearly go straight forward .
https://www.weglide.org/flight/380531
“It was really nice to see where others flew the energy lines!” said Ben Fuglsang-Petersen after his furthest flight in his ASW 15 B.A remarkable performance in a glider type first flown in 1968!”[weglide]

——The Gelderse ONE- DAY -COMPETITION was supposed to be flown last Saturday but the weather did not co-operate. Also Sunday was not good due to pretty heavy wind.
In Switzerland however one of my friends Bert jr flew 1.143.81 km. from Hausen Am Albis in the Ventus 3T on Sunday and on Saturday Carl Audissou flew in France 1.376 km. in an Antares 20.
April really does what it will and that’s not for everybody good.
I liked the comment from Bert jr;
“After being for a couple of months in Asia the temperature shock was pretty big, from 40°C in Hanoi to -25°C in my beloved glider within a timeframe of 24 hours.
A late but very easy start into a sky filled with nice energy lines, especially on the West to East legs. In the evening the weather collapsed quite rapidly but thanks to some thermals, ridges and weak rotors I almost made it home. Due to an incoming patch of moisture the entire Swiss Mittelland was covered. The only way to reach Hausen in VFR style was flying underneath.”

Now the season has started in Europe it remains VERY IMPORTANT to fly SAFE!

——–To finish, MORE GIRLS FLY,....ready for an AIRSHOW!!!

Cheers have a nice week,
CU next Wednesday.
Ritz

Post 1.493 on April 24 2024

When you have 107 guests you want to be , as organizer and host , on your best, BUT unfortunately in our gliding world , we ALL know; the weather cannot be organized.

FCC GLIDING 2024
Prievidza, Slovakia
14 April 2024 – 25 April 2024

Task 2 on flying day 1 out of 4;
Club; 2 hour AAT.…CANCELLED
Combi;2 hour AAT….CANCELLED
15 m; 2 hour AAT.… CANCELLED

Task 3 on flying day 1 out of 5 till now . And indeed finally the great weather arrived not only here with blue skies and great Cu’s but also in Priviedza. GOOD!!!
They had a strong wind from the N. for that reason they used runway 040…to be seen on the picture as shared by the organizers

Prievidza is THE PLACE from the Dynamic planes and their new tow planes , the WT9 – dynamics with ROTAX 915 engines ,did a great job.
So bigger tasks were set; 3 hour AAT’s;
Club ; 3 hour AAT….. First to start from the grass and at 12.06 their start line opened.
3 French pilots each in an ASW 20 were the daily best with 303,315 and 317 km ; speed 97.58, 96.50 and 99.97 km./h. AND 1000 points for the winner, 961 and 945 for the other 2.
Alexandre Fierain, Philippe Lata and Nicolas Caudrelier made it a “French day”.
A total of 27 starters and from them 21 finished.
Quite a few penalties for incorrect landings or NO PEV or crossing the boundary. For sure they will be more careful next time !!
Combi; 3 hour AAT..…. they started from the asphalt and their start line opened at 12.43.
A mix of 5 Nationalities in 4 different gliders in the top and NO 1000 points for the daily winner. 4 Of them flew around with 113 km./h over “around” 340 km.
Nuutti Kankare was the daily winner in a Ventus 3FES/18m. Czech pilot David Mach was runner up in JS1C TJ 18 EVO. Hungaryan pilot Janos Sindely also in JS1C TJ 18 EVO was 3d. Lithuanian pilot Vytautas Rasimavicius was 4th in JS1B/18 m and Rumanian team Kessler & Lingureanu in an ASG 32MI/ 800k.
46 pilots started and 39 finished.
15m; 3 hour AAT.. last on the grass with a opening of the startline at 12.57
307 km / 100 km./h was the best result by Polish pilot Wojciech Domanski in Ventus 2A was the daily winner for 740 points.The 3 Czech ladies flying in this class, Dana, Jana and Barbora were on spot 5,6 and 8. All 3 fly an LS8.
33 Started and 23 finished….Sebastian [Diana 2] finished on spot 12.”The day just did n’t go as he wanted.”

Task 4 on flying day 2 from 6 showed smaller tasks,
“Today we set the grid at 22 and considering the fact that we have an occlusion front moving in quite quickly from the west, which will spoil the thermals in our area in the early afternoon, we tried to do everything we could to take advantage of the interval that today’s weather offered us.“
First start at 11AM.
Club; 2 hour AAT....11.46 opening of start line and 200 km was flown by several pilots. Best flight was from Czech pilot Michal Lesinger in an ASW 20; 199.76 km in time 2.05.54 .Start at 11.57.
27 started and 25 finished, nice!!!
Combi ; 2 hour AAT...start line opened at 12.22 and Polish pilot Leszek Staryszak flew in his ASG 29E/18m a distance of 243.69 km in time 2.05.46and was the daily winner. He left at 12.29.
45 started and 42 finished…good.
15 m; 2 hour AAT.…12.29 opening of start line and the biggest distance and best time Sebastiaan Kawa; 239.15 km in time 1. 53.58. That was 12 km further than runner up Czech pilot Pavel Louzecky and 3 minutes.588 and 540 daily points.
3 Polish pilots including Sebastian started early , straight away, at 12.32. There are 12 in total in this class.
ALL 33 pilots started and only 1 was out. GOOD!!!!
French pilot Kevin Faur was 4th and had time to take a picture., the other 2 French pilots on 3 and 5.
Live tracking is on  live tracking

NO task on April 20- 21 and 22-23. The weather gods are still not too happy., whilst in Italy and even the UK great long distance have been flown.
“Today we regretfully had to declare a no-fly day. The weather was not the worst. But the runway and all the grassy areas of the airport were so wet that every movement of a plane or a car on the area left deep marks. We considered all the options, but in the end we had to choose the least popular one. Fortunately, our competitors took it really sporty and went on various hiking trips around the area .” on April 21.

On April 23 , very last day!....a bit of a sad message from the organizers, as the last days of the comps had finished with 4 non-flying days…. SUCH A PITY!!!!Really feel sorry for them.
“Dear competitors and attendees of FCC 2024!
We just wanted to say a huge thank you for spending nearly two weeks with us, despite the terrible weather we experienced this year. I hope you had a blast and had some fun in Prievidza anyway! While the weather was the worst we ever had, I hope it didn’t put too much of a damper on your experience. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated.
I understand that this was not the outcome that anyone had expected, but I hope that we took all the bad luck for a couple of next years, and we will have a nice and successful competition in the future.”
For sure they will with all their experience.

Overall winners after 2 flying days;
Club;
1. Alexandre Fierain from France in ASW 20 with 1.582 points.
2. Philippe Lata from France in ASW 20C with 1.575 p.
3. Ferenc Tamas from Hungary in LS3 WL with 1.566 p.
combi;
1. David Mach from Czech Rep. in JS1 CTJ/18 m EVO with 1.561 points
2. Kessler & Lingureanu from Romania in ASG32MI/ 800 with 1.552 p
3. Nuutti Kankare from Finland in Ventus 3Fs/18 m with 1.539 p.
15 m;
1. Sebastian Kawa from Poland in Diana 2 with 1.234 points
2. Julien Duboc from France in Ventus 2ax with 1.218 p.
3. Piotr Jarysz from Poland in LS6a with 1.215 p.

—————————————————————

—— SAP 2024….. I wrote about the several 1000 plus flights from Calicinate last week/Tuesday. All those pilots participate in a High Performance Stage organised by Alberto Sironi flying from L’Aero Club Adele Orsi . This is the 16th edition!!50 pilots from different countries were part of this SAP.
All organized by Alberto.
I remember a day in Rieti, when we had drinks with him at this caravan ,that they were talking about a set up for this SAP.

The next day, Wednesday April 17, blue skies and less wind for the 4th flying day!!! AND,…..Hope for more good results.
Many pilots flew and most between 500 and 890 km in a Ventus 2 B,by French pilot Stefane Andre.!!!!
20 went up.
They share no news, but flights are on the OLC [ https://www.onlinecontest.org/] and Weglide. [https://weglide.org/ ]
I took this picture from that gorgeous field in the N of Italy taken by Alberto from their site.

The weather was not “flash” on Thursday the 5th day of the “camp” and with the prospect of 2 more good days , Alberto gave the pilots “a day off”, for a nice rest after 2 intensive days.
A 4 minute 16 beautiful video by Andrea Venturini from this 16th SAP High-performance training camp 2024 is to be seen on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFTLxGYfgc0
Friday; a ‘free” day to spend as you like. With thermal activity and wave. Several 5000 m -height-gain-flights were flown.
35 Flights and 1 up to 758 km flown by Dutch pilots Maurits and Aert in the ARCUS T..
Saturday; LAST DAY AND GOOD weather!!!!
That’s what was promised and the picture shows it was!

Great flights one also by Alberto himself flying with Davide Schiavotto in the ARCUS T;1.501 km.
2 Toppers in a top glider!!!!
My Dutch mates Maurits and Boudewijn flew 1.309 k. [ARCUS T]
Stef Andre in the Ventus2B ;1.252 km.
AND,…5 more over 1000 km. flights What a SUCCESFUL High Performance Stage 2024!
Congratulations to all!!!!!
Alberto in his comment:”Beautiful weather and wonderful flying with my friend Davide on the last day of the 16th edition of the High Performance Gliding Training Camp (SAP) which took place in Calcinate del Pesce (Varese). On the last day of the SAP, 8 flights of over 1000 km were made, 6 of which were declared and completed! This is another SAP and ACAO record!
1.412 km declared task (3 TP FAI)
2 Italian Record
Second pilot: Davide Schiavotto.”

10 over 1000 km flights in total from Italy also from Aosta and Trento Mattarello .
To finish this item a very nice picture of Davide and Alberto.

——-AERO Friedrichshafen; last week Schempp- Hirth, this week Jonker Sailplanes in my opinion the 2 biggest manufacturers at this moment.

Jonker Sailplanes had big new as well:
“We are pleased to announce that as of last Friday, DG Aviation and Jonker Sailplanes GmbH (Germany) have obtained approval from LBA for the Production Organization of JSDG Production GmbH.This significant milestone establishes a strategic partnership poised to leverage the combined technical prowess of both entities. Through this strategic collaboration, DG Aviation can build new DG aircraft with the combined expertise of both companies. Moreover, we aim to capitalize on synergies to optimize cost efficiencies and address challenges related to skilled labor shortages within the industry.”
Good idea!!!!

——In my Dutch paper I read that the weather phenomena El Nino has finished . I do believe the people from the Australian weather bureau ,whose message it was, as they are always correct and very much up to date. This El Nino started in the summer from 2023 and created high temperatures in the Pacific around the equator. It disturbed the weather in many countries.

——We had that very cold but nice artic- soaring-weather last week on April 18 with flights again over 700 km from Belgium by Wim Akkermans from Keiheuvel in the Ventus 3T. As you know that field is about half an hour driving from where I live , so I could see again the great skies, blue and huge CU’s.
My UK mates from Lasham , Roy and Andy had a good day too; 618 km in the ARCUS T.
On April 19 Lasham pilot Garry flew 912 km just missed out on a few km’s to finish his set task.
On April 20 Italy and Switzerland had 1000 km flights up to over 1.500 km.
On April 21 a 750 flown from Lasham in an ASH 25WL[25.6 m]by Nik Smirnow and young Toby Freeland.
From Grosses Moor in Germany 2x a 1000 k in an ARCUS M and VENTUS 3 M/18m!!!!
They are all dressed pretty WARM. Also in Slovakia at the FCC.
Such a pity they don’t have that nice soaring weather.

——-Tomorrow is April 25….. ANZAC DAY.…. .In Australia they commemorate all those who have served their Nation. In Tocumwal especially those, who served at RAAF Station Tocumwal between 1942 and 1960.
LEST WE FORGET!!!!!

CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.492 on April 17 2024

Since yesterday we had 11 dgr.C and thunderstorms , rain and hail , wind up to 100 km./h better called AUTUM. Now spring is hopefully quickly around the corner again, we had here already here up to 25 dgr C, more and more nice spring pictures are shared . Here is one from the area I live in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

—-JUNIOR CUP was flown from Neresheim in Germany in ONE class between April 6 and April 13 with 23 pilots and so to see “helpers” in the Duo Discus.
They had reasonable weather with small tasks on task 1 and 2 but not flown and an even smaller on task 3 just 57 km!!!!!
8 Flew this task with a best speed of 99 km./h in a DG 300 and the less good one but still IN, from 34 km./h. [ ASW 15B] That’s what I call “stamina’.No valid day though!
These young ones will get there.
Task 5 ; was a good one ;369 km. 5 Gliders flew around with a speed of over 100 km./h BUT, in Discus, Nimbus 4 Duo Discus and ASH 26E.
17 Finished, and only 21 started.
Task 6; even better weather 4.30 AAT…..Toni Kittler in LS 4 won with 375 km /83.34 km./h. The Nimbus 4 with Nils, flew 467 km. and a speed of 94 km./h. and was on a daily spot 8.
20 started and 18 finished.
Task 7; 268.35 km.…won by Marvin in a Discus 2B. Speed 80 km./h. bringing him from 20 overall to 10. Only 7 from 21 finished.
Jannis [Discus 2CT/18m] who was 2 days on spot 1 overall dropped to spot 4 due to an out-landing.
Task 8 was cancelled so the winners of this event were;
1. Jens in a Discus 2B with 2.866 points, 2. Nils in a Nimbus 4 with 2.803 points and 3. Toni in an LS4 with 2.682 points.

—–FCC [Flight Challenge Cup] GLIDING from Prievidza [Slovakia] has started with 107 pilots on April 14 continuing to the 25th with a closing ceremony at 8PM. They fly in 3 classes club [29 pilots] combi [ 45 ] and 15 m [ 32] with some very good pilots from different countries as France, Hungary, Czech Rep. Poland [Sebastian Kawa in Diana 2 ], Germany and more.
On https://www.fccgliding.sk/ you can have a look every day about what’s going on.
Task 1 last Sunday, a 2 hour AAT for club and 1.45 for combi and 15 m was cancelled.
Monday and Tuesday ; NO TASK. They must have the weather we have !!!
For today small tasks are on the list , 2 hour AAT’s in each class, maybe a few windows could give them the first day.

——–DG Aviation GmbH is bij DG Aviation GmbH. announced the “FIRST FLIGHT DG-300neo.
“Following prototype construction and structural tests, flight testing has begun today.” April 12

–—Another heroic wave flight from Baptiste and Gil, 1.806 km in the Stemme S12. The set task was 1.752 km with 3 TP’s on April 10 partly over the Pyrenees
“The 9 of April we decided to take off from Aubenas, a very nice concrete airfield and very well located for waves. We wanted to explore the massif Central waves, then landed at home Perpignan. The waves in the morning over the Pyrenees were quite weak but became top in the afternoon. ” by Gil.

——-Last Sunday was good at several soaring places in Europe.
Germany had a flight from 749 km in an AS33es.
Terlet and Soesterberg [The Netherlands] had 4 over 700 km. flights in ASG 29E/18 m [x2] , ARCUS M and ASH 31MI.
87 Dutch pilots choose that day to fly! [OLC] Not bad!!! Only April 14!!!!!
In total on this early spring day the OLC had 552 flights!!!AND,..we know SPRING CAN BE GOOD!!!!
By the way, down under in Tocumwal, Grant and Swiss Chris still flew over 400 km yesterday, in a Discus and ASW 27!!!
When we are “sitting in the rain” YESTERDAY, Baptiste Innocent took his glider [ASH 31/21 m this time] at Fayence for a 1.744. 90 km ride a 1.128 FAI triangle.At 1 spot he nearly had 6000 m MSL.[5939]
it seems to be a new European distance record. Good on you Baptiste.
weglide.org or olc
Gilles Navas flew a 1.114 from Vinon and in Italy Ugo Vietti 1.066 k. from Calicinate.
So did our Dutch mates Boudewijn with Maurits in an Arcus T. Also Andrea Ferrero flew a 1000 from Calcinate in an AS 33es.
From Switzerland Davide Giovanelli and Daniel Frey , also flew a 1000 k!!!!

——A pity! Keith had great plans to make Corowa Soaring BIG again, but now it is for sale. Such a pity , Grietje and Francesco spend a lot of time and effort in the business through the years.
They built a beautiful club house with a pool in the front and a huge very, modern hangar.

——-The AERO in FRIEDRIFHSHAFEN is open today! the next 4 days they will receive MANY guests!!!!
Here is a picture already from Schempp Hirth ;

—–And one more excellent picture of the Total Solar Eclipse as shared by NASA.

SAD news!!!!Brazilian pilot Guilherme Purnhagen [48 years old and with a young family] ] has died due to a tragic and fatal accident in a glider on Friday April 12 2024. I never met him personally, but had a great contact with him about his activities in Brazil. A very out going mate.
“thanks dear Ritz or of course dear Ritz” I can still read on my FB news from him.
When you say Guilherme , you say Bahia Gliding. He really set up and was still busy with a top gliding center, with many overseas guests.
He participated in the Argentinian and Finish WGC and several National Championships. [FBVP – Planador Brasil ]
A TRUE glider pilot. He will be missed.
This is what I heard ,but could not verify.
“the first flight on the Caproni , the controls froze during take off. The glider rolled and and crashed inverted.“
My deepest sympathy for all his beloved ones, friends and guests.
“Pilots don’t die , they fly with their own wings into the sky”

CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz

By the way, …for those who still remember Kees Musters,the 2003 Hobbs WGC champion, …he would have turned 78 today. Sadly he died on December 27 in 1987 due to a fatal hang glider accident in France.

Post 1.491 on April 10 2024

It’ s Wednesday again ,publish-day, but it took me till last Monday afternoon, before I could sit behind my laptop . Head is still not really clear, still very tired, but the influenza nearly left my body.
My muscles hurt from coughing but, I do feel better.
Time to look back on what happened.
I promised you news about comps in Nitra and Torino, so here we go.

——Nitra [Sovakia] ..PRIBINA CUP! Not as many participants as in the past, when there sometimes were over 100, but as Easter is early this year, it is normally colder and less good weather.
Was that this year also ?
They had 6 out of 9 days , both in club and open. So that ‘s not too bad.
In CLUB……most days had small tasks as 2 hour AAT’s or less for the 10 pilots. One of them , Pavol Klein, flying a St. Libelle won 3 days in a row, but got a penalty on task 5 for a too low finish and lost his till then overall-one-spot.
Then the weather improved, the tasks were bigger and task 6 had already a 2.30 AAT. Polish pilot Pawel in a Pegase won the day. 3 Austrian pilots, Jacob , Raphael and Matthias, flying an LS 4 used their “better” gliders in the better circumstances to fly consistent and even winning task 5 with a 1-2 and 3 daily spot.
The last flying day showed a 3 hour AAT ,so finishing on a “high”.
After 6 days Jacob had 3.359 points and was the club class winner.
Only 10 points less for his mate Raphael with 3.349 points.
The 3d musketeer Matthias had 3.200 points and Pavol 2.671 [5th]

Open had a quite a few “hot” names on the list. From 19, only 2 ladies Jana and Hana Treslova flying an LS 8 and JS 3, both in 18m configuration.
Also in open task 1 was cancelled and the next tasks were small; till task 6 AAT’s from 2 hours or less.
Task 6 had a 2.30 AAT and the ARCUS from team Tomas Rendla won the day with 253 km with 98.28 km./h. That says enough! Only 1 pilot flew over 100 km./h ;Petr Krejcirek in the AS 33es.
Also their last day had a 3 hour AAT, won by Kornel in also an AS 33es; 263.27 km/ 81.73 km./h.
After 6 days the overall scores ;
1. Petr Krejcirik [Czech Rep] in AS33es with 1.943 points.
2. Zdislaw Bednarczuk [Poland] in JS 3T with 1.900 points
3. Rendla & Rendlova[Czech Rep] in ARCUS with 1.816 points.

——51 Trofeo Citta di Torino 2024.
They flew 3 days in 3 classes; sports class, 18 m and a class for beginners/amateurs.
Sports class had 15 pilots and on April 1, no joke, they got task 1, a 2.10 AAT and the daily prize was for the ARCUS M pilots Etalle & Costa .They flew 263 km/ 119.78 km/h.
Task 2 was a 1.45 AAT and ONLY 1 pilot, Ugo Pavesi, in ASG 29, flew the task ; 148.60 km/ 51.97 km./h. Pfff…..but 173 daily points in his pocket.
Task 3; 2.30 AAT and Stefano Ghiorzo in his Ventus 3T /18 m was the best from the 13 still flying pilots; 237.70 km/ 95.08 km./h
Andrea Ferrero, being 3d on task 1, 4th on task 2 and 3d on the last day won the TROPHY in sports class with a total of 1.413 points..
Stefano was runner up and team Alberto Sironi /Venturini was 3d.

18 m pilots had the same tasks and on task 1 also a 2.10 AAT won by Andrea Ferrero in his AS 33es. Stefano was runner up.
Task 2 was won in this class as well by Ugo and Task 3 by Stefano.
Overall scores for 18 m were a tad different; Andrea 1.271, Stefano 1.236, and Vittorio Squarciafico [Ventus 3F] with 1.139 p.

——–WeGlide is getting better and better. Those young innovative people are doing a great job. Over winter ,their development team has been busy with a new app.
You can read all about it in their WeGlide Magazine. https://magazine.weglide.org

They are also at the AERO 2024!!
“From 17 to 20 April, you can meet our entire team at the AERO in Friedrichshafen. This year’s AERO Gliding Expo will have a special focus on gliding. All exhibitors will be represented: The major glider manufacturers, exhibitors of accessories, associations, and clubs. Many tow plane manufacturers will be there as well. That’s why it was immediately clear that we would be there too. 
There even is a separate gliding conference area with an exciting program. On Saturday morning, you can find out how the WeGlide Copilot can help you in flight. But the other presentations on electric flying, weather forecasts, and aircraft news also sound very exciting.“

–—-From Mexico to Canada the ECLIPSE was visible and millions of people travelled to the places where the “miracle” was going to happen.Not all were so lucky as at some places clouds disturbed the joy. I found this gorgeous -one-of-a-kind-picture shared by the Soaring Society of America. …and share it with you.
The last solar-eclipse was in 1991.

Sky Sight was so kind to show us where the eclipse was.

——-Not too much news this week but hopefully next week more.
In Australia the season is over but “superb late season conditions” allowed John Welsh to fly a 300 in his Hornet; https://www.weglide.org/flight/373031
The USA starts and already news as “What a great beginning for the 2024 soaring season.”
Hobbs Soaring Society
Terlet here in the Netherlands had a busy day last Sunday with flights over 400 k and Arjan was there to make some pictures here is 1 of them.

Today looks like a good day here, sunny, blue skies,about 14 dgr. C and I see cumulus clouds from my window !!!!!
CU next Wednesday
Cheers Ritz.

Post 1.490 on April 3 2024

They hoped for 4 days in a row in Seminole to finish of the 20 m Nationals.
That was hope….. Both in the USA and Australia the word El Nino is mentioned a lot. When I lived in Australia the El Nino mostly meant “a good season” for our soaring center, but dry and hot and often disastrous for the farmers. It’s not 1 year but more!!!
Rich with his good and funny stories about the 20 m Nationals writes about it this way:
“Experts call the weather pattern we are in now, El Nino which I believe in Spanish means boy. Well, boy I wish we had a girl in our weather pattern. The jet stream has descended into the lower portion of the US which has disturbed our normal excellent soaring conditions during the spring. This is highly unusual, and I have not seen this for the last 10 years. We still get good soaring, just not “buckle up and hang on” type of weather.”
And, I guess you understand it straight away ...NO FLYING for Wednesday the 27th.
BUT….hope for Thursday and for sure Friday.
“Weather Weather, It Has to Get Better” by Rich.

Thursday; March 28…..”No joy again today at SLGP.
This from Rich:Weather, Weather It Didnt Get Better”
“We are getting a little tired of the weather pattern this month. Next week looks great for boating, flying and anything else you want to do outside. We are still trying to get day 6th in, but we fell short one more time. Tomorrow looks like a good day to fly. This afternoon the sun came out; the winds were still 15 gusting to 20 knots.”
They tried HARD and everybody had to go to the grid after a 2d briefing at 12.15, with a 1.45 AAT in the pocket.
“The weather late looked good, but the day was going to end early. If we could get into the air by 2pm, we might have a chance.
The second pilots meeting was held and yes, we were gridding. This process went very well and soon all the ships were in launch position. Looking at the low clouds, the CD was looking for a break. Finally, the order to launch 90 came and Bob Fletcher went into the bleak looking sky. He was reporting 2,300ft maximum height at 1 to 1.5 knots. Time slipped by and Bob finally made it above 2,500ft, the minimum height for launching the grid. Unfortunately, Bob reported very weak climbs and few thermals to keep everyone airborne. The CD made the right decision to cancel the day and send everyone back to parking after Bob landed.”so far Rich. On top of that they had winds over 20 knots.
Hope gone for Thursday BUT,…….new hope for

Friday ;March 29……..Very last day and the numbers 1 and 2 overall had a difficult time finishing the day on spot 11 and 12, BUT,…still enough points for Jim in the ARCUS J and Pete and Rich in the ASG 32MI to keep ahead on the rest. A racing task was set.
Rich;”Marshall was sending us on a racing task in the blue. It was a challenging route. At the start, Pete and I wanted to get on course early and avoid a late arrival over Lakeland. We found a good starting point on the line and left hoping to hide our departure. Unfortunately, we had a few folks right behind us, but the race was on. The last leg was getting soft, and we found ourselves in some very weak thermals.”
In the end they had a very strong thermal that got them to final glide and a Mc 4.5 glide home.
1. Team Jim Frantz in ARCUS J with 3618 points.
2. team Alexander/ Owen [Pete and Rich] in ASG 32MI with 3473 points.
3. team Mandelbaum/Gaisford in Duo Discus with 3408.
Those 3 Duo Discus types did wel on spot 4 and 11 from 14 participating 2 seaters .
Loved the stories from Rich, so THANK YOU for sharing them with us. And of course Bo for het fantastic pictures!

——–Talking about the USA, Garret Willat is put in the centre of attention by Schempp-Hirth. He is their US representative. I know from the past that he helps all international questions from pilots flying from Europe in the USA as well. Certainly when it concerns World Championships. Very nice fellow!!!
Garret has a lovely family and runs Sky Sailing and Yankee Composites in Warner Springs, CA.
He is a flight instructor and a very accomplished competition pilot.
Very nice from Schempp-Hirth to put him in the spot light.
yankeecomposites
AND,…this year is the WGC in Uvalde for the 3d time.When he has time he might be able to help you.
I was there in 1991 as TC for The Netherlands and in 2012 on invitation as editor of SOARING CAFE, the on line Magazine from Bill Elliott and Rand Baldwin. We had a great time!!!Such a pity it does n’t exist anymore.

This 2024 SPRING period is SUPERB. Too much to write about , but you can find most of the flights on the OLC or WeGlide.
Have a look , worthwhile doing so!!!

–——-On March 24 we could see a very interesting flight from Swiss pilot Yves Gerster. He flew from St Auban in France , to Corsica over Italy; 1.328 km. in a JS1C/21 m.
You can find his flight on with beautiful pictures on
https://www.weglide.org/flight/368985
It was n’t over for Yves after this flight; On March 30 he flew with a mate in an ARCUS T 1.220 km!!!

–——On March 29 ....2 interesting comps started the new competition-season in Europe. One in Nitra in Slowakia ….the well known PRIBINA CUP till April 6 …..and 1 in Italy the even wellknown 51 Trofeo Cita di Torino till April 7.
The Pribina Cup has 2 classes. In 15 m we see 12 pilots. In open 21.
Task 1 had a small task, some tried but for both classes the day was cancelled.
Day 2; 1.30 AAT won by Czech pilot Pavol Klein in a St. Libelle. 6 from 9 finished.
Same task for open ; Czech pilot Jan Pavlik won in an LS8/18m with 166 km /96.47 km./h. 20 started ,5 were out.
Task 3; 1,45 AAT for both classes.…

The Trofeo has 20 pilots in one class. They have a sports class and 18 m class. Also their first day had to be scrubbed, as was their next day. They meet again on Monday morning.

——-On March 29 the weather WAS GOOD!!!!!Klaus [Ohlmann] took his glider …a Stemme S10….out for a “ride” and when he does, you know it will be a long day for him: it was 1.493,53 km!!!! Long as in kilometers ,not so much in time. With a speed of 170 km./h he raced over the nearly 1.500 km in 8 hours and 44 minutes!!!!!!!! Good on him!!!!
The comment from Klaus below. The nicest thing however is that he has flown so many long and special flights …he is still HAPPY /cheerful with each of them.
“Wow, what a day. The adventure started one day before with motor going to Oloron. After a very sportif landing under a big rotor we struggled to turn on the very wet surface. Good luck, Benoit, the chief pilot helped us to take the plane out of the mud with his car.
Great thanks again…Next morning, 5:00, it was raining. and the forecast gave us a tailwind. Good luck again, after cleaning the glider 3 times we could lift off. Meanwhile a small foen gap was closed and it was raining a little bit everywhere. We decided to look for wave more eastwards and found very good conditions southwest of St.Gaudens. Big run untilnorth of Carlit and Marseille gave us a clearence to FL 195 and approved a straight line and constant descent towards M.Ventoux. Nice rotorclouds until m.Blancwith southern winds. Wind turned more and more to west, Tailwind on the whole task. I admit, that I didn`t expect to be able to reach Nitra in Slowakia. But finally we could make it in time. But the.. Vienna control forced us to descent from our comfortable 4500 m to FL 080. No way to reach Nitra. So, we decided to land in Wiener Neustadt. Wonderful reception from our glider friends. What a fantastic experience. Thanks for all who helped us to achieve this flight.”
2 More 1.000 km flights that day 1, by Noah in an ASG 29 /15 m. from Harris Hill in the USA and 1 from Spain from La Cerdanya in an ARCUS T.
1 Day earlier, now back in the USA again , Gordon Boettger flew in the ARCUS J 1.409 km with a dazzling speed of 238.10 km./h. from Eastern Sierra. He had a back-seater , Brad Jackson, who “worked” as well.
Gordon;”Took off from Bishop after landing there last night. Waited for the wave to set up and Brad recommended doing a speed run which I had not considered. The Owens Valley wave was on fire. Climbed in rotor to the wave then it was full afterburner for the two hour speed run. Flew 568 km in 2 hours at 284 kph and then headed north back towards Minden. Decided to add some legs in the wave closer to home. A beautiful day ended with a landing in easy winds for once. SKYSIGHT was SPOT ON !!!!! Thanks Matthew Scutter for your product. Thanks to my good friend Brad for doing all the speed calculations and for the teamwork.”

–—-And MORE incredible flights this time from Germany on the 27th of March….Mathias Schunk flew 1.629 km with a speed of 157 km./h. Glider; Quintus….departure; from Koenigsdorf…..time; 11 hours and 10 minutes.
WeGlide mentioned;” Insane flight by Mathias Schunk.He maxed out the day by not returning to his home but rather landing in the eastern Alps near Wien. Funny to see how the views on his flight increased throughout the day!”
With pictures on https://www.weglide.org/flight/366859

On Saturday March 30 more great weather!!!!!Several 1000 plus km from Switzerland.
Looking at the very exciting boatrace on the Thames between the ladies and men from Canterbury and Oxford ….both won by Canterbury…..I noticed great skies above the UK as well. Indeed 500 k was flown from Lasham.
BUT,…….3x over 1.300 km and 5 x an over 1.400 km flight is for Europe pretty special...Interesting to see 2 are flown by young pilots as Benjamin Bachmeier ,who I remember from one of the JWGC’s in Ventus 2BX and Nils Fecker [ Johannes Beyer] in an ARCUS M.who did so well in Bitterwasser last season.
A 1.270 in a Discus 2CFES/18m is worth while mentioning too..
30 over 1000 km flights ..indeed when the weather is there, you have a glider and time,..you can do it.

——-News from Romain Fhal. I write sometimes about him and his wife as they are fabulous aerobatic pilots and world champions. r.fhal@extraaircraft.com
They announced on March 28 a new website.https://extraaircraft.com/
“As we put more and more focus on social media and producing content to share with aerobatic pilots and enthusiasts we’ve recognized that it’s time to overhaul our website and bring it to the appropriate decade! Today we’ve pushed our new website into production and it’s now live! We’re looking forward to updating the site and adding various informational resources as time progresses. We’re looking forward to hearing everyone’s feedback, and if you have any suggestions we’d love to hear them!”

——N.Z. now…have a look at the site from Geoff Soper. the most wonderful pictures.
To be found on Geoff Soper Photography page.
“Warbirds Over Wanaka handful of images from practice day.” so more to come.

SORRY dear SOARING-READERS, No time to check what I had written already…got a bad influenza and was in bed for a few days, “coughing my lungs out”. Off to bed again now.

Cu next Wednesday , by the way the Belgium Nationals will be flown from St Hubert between June 29 and July 7 2024
Cheers Ritz

Post 1.489 on March 27 2024

Always interesting to see if everything is working again on the laptop, after they closed off ALL electricity, for 6 hours.
Pfff….IT WORKED!!!!!
The astronomical spring has started here and for my Aussie mates autumn.
We started with a lovely 19dgr. C but 2 days later it felt like autumn here.
Monday however looked here like 1000-km-weather, which of course ,it was n’t , but super skies.
In any case 16 Dutch pilots flew on that Monday and they really had a good time; 477 in an ASW 22BLE……420km in an ASW 20WL, 5 over 300 km -flights and 2 over 200 km.
Great start of the season. Luckily the gliders from the Narromine -WGC, were back home too, so pilots could straight away jump in ,when they wished.
In Germany they had 6 flights over 600 km. in Ventus 3 and 2, Discus 2b and ASH 26E.[FAI 500 triangle] One was even over 700 km.in Ventus 3M. [FAI 500 Triangle] Happy pilots!
A St. Libelle nearly flew 300 k.

—————————————————–

—-Soaring in Seminole Lake continued after the seniors were ready with the USA 20 m multi-seat NATIONALS.
AND…..luckily Bo and Rich stayed there as well,after their senior-experiences, so we are sure of great pictures and funny/good stories. When you want to read the stories in full and ALL pictures ,you have to go to https://www.facebook.com/SoaringSocietyofAmerica/

Day 1 was on Wednesday March 20 ;
It was a blue chilly day. Before flying the 14 teams had of course; “The Mandatory Safety Meeting was held at 9:45 am and many topics were covered. Staying out of airspace that you do not belong in was a top subject.“
Due to a later start , the task was changed to a 2 hour Assigned Area Task.
Not a flash day as there was weak lift and very low cruising altitudes, specially on the last leg.
“The scores for the day were very low due to the short length of the task. In third place was the team of Juan Mandelbaum and Phil Gaisford,[In Duo Discus] with Michael Marshall and Hal Woodruff in second. [Duo Discus] Winning the day with a blistering raw speed of 54.55 over the distance of 112.01 miles was Jim Franz and Jared Granzow. [Arcus jet] For their efforts, they obtained a total of 445 points. A win is a win, and this contest is going on for another 9 days. Stay tuned for all the action in this clash of the buses.“

Day 2; was again a prey for Arcus -Jet pilot Jim Frantz and team mate Jared Granzow; another 615 points, so 1060 in total now. Dr Mandelbaum in the Duo Discus T [ 5th for the day] is still on 2 overall,but they have to share this spot now with Arcus M pilots Lee and Bostik.
It turned out to be NOT an easy day!!!!!
“We had hit trigger temperature that should have gotten them to 2,500ft easily. After launching, there were very little comments from them until the CD made a query. Both were below release height and not climbing. This was the first of several launch delays of the day.” Rich.
With task C they left Seminole to go on track for a racing task. The early starters were caught by the gaggle , en route some got low , in the end nearly all found their OWN way home and found it “an enjoyable and challenging task.” Rich

RAIN on March 22…..so,….just such a great picture from Bo.

Day 3 on Saturday March 23; “It Was the Best of Times and the Worst of Times” Rich
Daily runner up was the ARCUS JET , with team Lee on spot 3 and as team Mandelbaum was on 8 there was no equal runner up spot overall anymore, but they are now on 2 and 3 behind Jim Frantz, who in fact won ,the 3d win in a row , as the daily winner flew an ASG 29/18 m, so HC for a 2 seater competition.
They had gridded, left the covers on, as it was not at all sure if they could fly,…. a 50-50% chance .
The day started with total overcast and the possibility of rain at noon.
” We spotted all the ships on the grid and the sun came out. Cu were appearing in the north where it was not supposed to be. Expectations for flying started to increase and soon, the order was given to launch the fleet.” Rich
Off they went for an AAT rather late in the day cause of the waiting and changes. Not too bad circumstances with a cloud street found by several, nice CU’s, but also blue “holes” and taking care of airspace was important too.[ the Disney World PTFR ….permanent temporary flight restriction.]
Rich finishes with :”Looks like we may fly the next four days in a row.”

No flying on Sunday March 24;
Why????
Here is Rich:”The morning broke over Central Florida and already the pilots knew we were in trouble. I can tell when everyone starts waking up. Our internet slows to a crawl when the pilots start checking early morning weather. The skies were completely overcast, and the wind was blowing so much the glider covers looked like Grand Ma’s skivvies blowing on the clothesline. Today looked like a problem day for more than just the weather. First thing in the morning, the coffee pot refused to work until we hit it a few times in the right spot. However, coffee was not available for the pilots meeting, but everyone had their favorite donut, so all was good with the world.”

Contest day 4 March 25; with another AAT [3 hours] and this time Pete and Rich won the day, yes the ” back-seater who writes” and Pete who I know from Uvalde 2012. Nice fellow! 519 daily points and number 2 now overall in the “mighty” ASG 32 MI.
Jim in the ARCUS J still leads though his very good back-seater is leaving. Another reporter, with also a soaring-podcast ,Piet Barber is now 3d overall. And that in a Duo Discus!!!!They were 4th for the day, BUT they lead overall with ONLY ONE point over Team Mandelbaum.
The overall points are very close; Jim has now 2088 points, Pete and Rich 1920 , team Barber /Retting 1861 and team Mandelbaum/Gainsford also in Duo Discus 1860.[11th for the day]
Here are some parts of the long story from Rich;
“Today was to be an early start with good lift and reasonable top of lift. … the day was going to end early, around 3:30pm. .”
“The first and second legs were fast or very difficult depending on when you started. Early and late starters were not in the best position on these legs.“
“Sometimes the east side worked, other times the west side of the line was better. The key to this piece of the puzzle was to stay connected to the clouds in the upper part of the height band and not get low.”
“A safe landing ensued in the 15-20 knot crosswind. Today was brutal.“
“In the end we had 9 engine starts, 2 landouts and only 3 finishers, 2 of which had finish penalties.”
Contest day 5; a racing task. Daily winners Pete and Rich in glider 98 the Arcus J. A difficult day for some as there were 2 out landings and 5 gliders coming back with their engine.A late evening as most were back late.
Jim with a new back -seater has 2882 points. Pete and Rich have 2730 points and the Duo Discus T with team Mandelbaum/Gaisford holds on. 9th for the day but 3 overall with 2638 points.
More next week.

—–Matthew ,….yes Scutter….. shared an urgent update so I share it with you too;

——-Gliding Australia “Gliding Australia Magazine in Print – Last Chance – Subscribe today for the print edition Gliding Australia Magazine – Next Issue Out in April, so hurry. Deadline 30 March for print copies GA “Members Click https://tinyurl.com/yhvtt8bt to subscribe

——-907 km was flown by Ramy Yanetz , who made an incredible wave flight on March 14, up to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. He started and finished at Williams in his AG 29/18 m. Ramy is a member of the Northern California Soaring Association.
“Fantastic off shore wave day. Skysight nailed it.”

—–E glider news; as shared by Aldo [Cernezzi]
“E6-Glide will take place in Varese, 8th to 14th of September 2024
All participating sailplanes must be equipped with an auxiliary electric engine. All pilots will have a limited quota of electric power they will use during the sporting performance. This opens a whole lot of new strategies, which makes the competition even more interesting. Competition flying will possible even if thermal conditions are less than optimal and the “chess in the air” feeling of normal gliding events will rise to a new level.
The previous edition took place in Saint-Auban, France.”
More info on the club’s website https://acao.it/attivita-sportiva/gare-eventi/e6glide/

——“A powerful wave day” Max Stevens called it. Starting from Wellington in N.Z. he flew 1.031 km with a speed from 150.95 km/ph and a height of just a tad under 6000 m. He had to open his brakes several times to avoid Vne issues. That was on Monday, on Tuesday another good wave day but with “less clouds and more sun”.
The mountains in Europe, have great wave as well; Koenigsdorf had already 2 early over 1000 km flights on March 10, one even 1.265 km. and yesterday another 1000 k was added in an ARCUS.

That’s it for today, it’r raining now , but last Monday gave us hope for a good season.
By the way, the Dutch Nationals will be flown between Mai 8 and 18 and as I read they have now 5 classes with in each class at least the minimum amount of 8 pilots to make the winner DUTCH CHAMPION.
https://www.nkzweefvliegen.nl/

HAPPY EASTER DAYS from Ritz

Post 1.488 on March 20 2024

–—–It’s not often that a customer/guest is allowed to make pictures in the final-production- hangar of a glider manufacturer. For that reason it is really kind of Lumpy to share some pictures from part of this process. He is there for his new JS5. On top of that it is great PR for Jonker Sailplanes.

On March 17 he and Oscar [Goudriaan] flew a 750 from Potchefstroom in a JS 3 and the new JS 5 with 148 km./h. AND,….Lumpies mates Bernie and Ojars flew from Tocumwal 404 and 508 km in Pik 20 B and ASH 31/21m.
Amazing weather …”nice autumn days“….still both in South Africa and down under.

——-The SENIORS are flying/have flown again from Seminole Lake and as every year they have some kind of Hawaii-shirt-day. I noticed that they did so at the F1 in Leeton Australia as well.

After 2 non flying days they flew on Wednesday and Thursday. 3 hour and 2 hour AAT.
Contest day 1; 3 hour AAT….. Here is Rich Owen ,who flies in the back from 98 with Pete Alexander.He is a funny writer and I LIKE his style!
“there were some nice cu but also some areas that had large blue gaps. Sticking to the cloud fields seemed to be the best answer to traverse this leg. Lift was getting stronger and cloud bases were also getting higher. It wasn’t bad when you rolled into a 6-7kt thermal for 2,000ft.“
In the end of the day there were winners;
“In third place was Karl Striedieck flying with his brother Walter with a raw speed of 65.94mph. We did not have a second-place finisher due to a tie for first place. Billy Kerns with his LS-8 flew 198 miles at a speed of 64.38mph while Pete Alexander and Rich Owen flew an ASG-32Mi 221 miles at a speed of 72.42mph. Both ships received 1,000 points for their effort.”
Contest day 2; 2 hour AAT...Due to some rain that flooded the south end of the runway, we have been forced to change the way we grid for this contest.
“Today we tried something a little different to coincide more with what the rules say about rotating the grid. We had 5 groups of short wing gliders go down at different times to stage in position. So, 6 gliders at a time would tow down into takeoff position. No specific spot was assigned but the grid is rotated each day. Everyone approved of the process and we plan to use it during this contest.”
Start of the flying-day;
“The first leg was either fast or trying. Some pilots averaged 3 knot climbs while others were happy to have 1.5 knots.“
But then…..”Cirrus completely covered the landscape and very little sun was making it to the ground. The route home plotted on See You for all the pilots looked like a bomb burst since we all took very different paths home. Many got stuck low over Winter Haven and had to dig out to avoid a landout. The pilots who started late had an even more difficult time. In the end, we only had one landout and everyone else made it back safely.“
In the end of the day…..“When all the chaos ended, we found a shake up on the score. Sam Zimmerman finished in 3rd place with Henry Retting in second place.In first place was Nico Bennet, a two-time winner of the Seniors with a raw speed of 61.60mph over 108 miles.“
Contest Day 3; 1.45 AAT.….”The first leg was either fast or slow depending on the line you took.Lift in the start circle was weak and the number of clouds were few.Soon a line formed over highway 27 which the locals all call the Florida ridge. It seems to be the fastest path to the southeast side of the state. The faster you get on it, the better you will do. The winners pretty much did exactly that.“
Final glides were all benign and the recovery back at Seminole-Lake was safe and efficient. It is amazing the level of skill and professionalism that our pilots exhibit during this highly stressful evolution.”
When all the dust had settled.…
“Only 53 points separate the top 6 competitors, and the podium is up for grabs. In overall standings, Joerg Stieber from the SOSA club in Canada is in 6th place with Nelson Howe is in 5th place. In 4th is Doug Jacobs with his 21-meter ASH-31Mi. In 3rd place is P7, Gary Ittner, only 43 points out of first. The closer race is between Jim Lee/Joe Bostik in 2nd and Henry Retting in first. Only 12 points separate these excellent pilots.” as written by Rich Owen.
AND……:“Now watching our older pilots leave their ships after flying 3-4 hours leaves something to be desired. It sometimes takes two tries to get out. Seems like they also like to try and figure out how to email their flight log to the scorer before getting out of the ship.”

Friday was the last day ;
Contest day 4; 3 hour AAT.…Start was open at 13.44.
Part of the daily story from Rich; “The start time was a little critical since high cirrus on the west side of the task area was expected mid-day.
On the first leg, it was straightforward. There weren’t any cloud streets to speak of but climbs of 2.5kts to 4,000ft were common.
The lakes and late day sun angles reduced the density of the cloud field in this area, and everyone had to be careful. Good news was the clouds heading home looked great and final glides were fairly easy.
Good old Doug Jacobs won the day.

On the banquet all important people got a THANK YOU, CD John [Good] scorer Rick [Sheppe] also the ground crew, the volunteers and the meteo Fernando [Silva] .
“Our tow pilots received a standing ovation for their work to get all the pilots in the air safely and with smiles on their face.“

Here are 2 more, cause they say so much without words;

THANK YOU BO AND RICH!!!!!!!!

—–Last week I wrote about Matthew visiting The Netherlands because of EuroGlide in mid summer.[end of July beginning of August].
This week there is more news about his SkySight.
“Big news! We are integrating ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) weather data into the starting point for our model, greatly enhancing the quality and depth of our data sources.
ECMWF is the world’s leading global weather model, more than ten years ahead of the popular GFS model. The enormous volumes of their data and high cost have previously made it inaccessible to the gliding world, and we are proudly the first to use it.
However, by itself, ECMWF is still not detailed enough, which is why we use it as a starting point for our ultra-high detail model.
What does it mean for you? Better forecast data, now delivered faster and more often represents the biggest year-on-year forecast improvement!” SkySight

AND…..MORE……Paraglider and Hangglider pilots – we haven’t forgotten about you!
For the last six months we have been working on “Launch Points” – an easy way to see at a glance if the launch is working. MUCH more on SkySight

——-The Kiripotib containers with their many gliders have arrived in Europe nicely in time for the new season.

“Many hands make light work. Gliders have landed safely in Austria. Their owners have been eagerly awaiting to start the upcoming glider season.We wish you a great flying season and look forward to welcoming you back to Kiripotib! “
Dates for the coming season have already been finalized: https://tinyurl.com/258kz56a

—-The AmstelGlide 2024 is for all who are interested and current on June 8 and 9 flown from the beautiful airport of Soesterberg in The Netherlands.
www.amstelglide.nl

——To let you know already now; The 15th JWGC will be in Lake Keepit in Australia in 2028.
Bruce [Taylor] mentioned already : “And what great news to have the juniors back at Keepit. Super racing site!”

——To finish a special picture from June 2006.

Cheers Ritz
P/S 1. It was interesting to see NO flights on the OLC yesterday morning at 11AM, when flying had stopped on the other side of the world. That does n’t happen often. I know it was raining cat’s and dogs in Tocumwal. Hope it stops in time …presume it will….for the Australian F1 car races.

P/S 2…..This blog was published on Tuesday evening 8PM. Due to “work in progress” on the electricity system in the area where I live there will be NO electricity in the morning. EVERYTHING has to be removed from the electricity points, to have no damage on TV’s, radio’s ,laptops, routers phones etc. For 6 hours no working-fridge either.
Better earlier, than later, specially for my Aussie readers.

Post 1.487 on March 13 2024

Though,….. The SENIORS are flying in Florida and there is 1 upcoming REGIONAL competition in South Africa end of April;

——–The season is about to start everywhere in this part of the world and at some places it started already. For some clubs reparations are still in full swing. Gliders will be in perfect condition, parachutes repacked and instruments “tuned”
SkySight shares some news /PR, as as well
“The wait is over – the Gliding Season is starting!
Another season is upon us and we want to make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity to take flight. That’s why we’re encouraging all gliding enthusiasts to set up their PFD alarms or route alarms with SkySight today!
With our smart alert system, you’ll receive instant notifications when the perfect flying conditions are forecasted, ensuring you won’t miss the chance to fly that bucket-list task.”
Here’s how to set up your alarms:
1. Visit SkySight.io and select the Potential Flight Distance (PFD) option.
2. Click “Create New Alert” and choose your preferred location on the map.
3. Set your desired threshold for notification and give your alert a personalized label.
4. For route alarms, simply click the icon next to your desired task in the parameter menu.

Matthew from SkySight is prominent in the WeGlide Magazine answering 5 questions on the new season.
He will be even in The Netherlands in June for the start of EUROGLIDE.
“To mark the start of the season we asked our founder Matthew Scutter on the upcoming season. We asked him on his plans and the updates for the weather model. Read it all in WeGlide magazine.“
magazine.weglide.org

——-Midland Gliding Club shares news about a, so to see, pretty nice weekend.

——-From the USA [Frauke]I got the next news about the German Magazine SEGELFLIEGEN. It  is now available in English under the name SOARING INTERNATIONAL.
To subscribe go to ; https://soaring-international.com/download-online-edition/

——-Great flights from N.Z. USA pilot Kelvyn Flavall spend his season in Omarama in N.Z. Normally he flies from Seattle but nearly going home he said:” A great way to cap off an absolutely fantastic season flying out of Omarama. Big wave flight, but not easy. Very strong wave in places and quite moist at times.“
1.062 km speed 161.58 km./h. in an ASG 29E/18m
Gavin Wrigley an Aussie, also flying from Omara flew on that same Thursday March 7 in an LS4, 870 km/134.28 km./h.
Flying a 1000 in a Duo Discus is also REMARKABLE!!!That happened as well in Omarama on that same day; 1.011 km/156 km./h. by Milan and Richard.

——-Europe had some strong flights too early in their season.
A great season start for Werner Amann , on March 3,….he flew nearly 1.600 km [1.589] in the brand new AS33Es in the Alps, with 136 km./h. in the 18 m configuration. An out and return from Hohenems-Dornbirn in Switzerland.
On the same day Rainer Crohnjaeger flew in the ASH 31MI/21 m. a free distance flight from 1.124 km./ h. from Hausen am Albis.

Australia still enjoys great soaring and pretty high temperatures …38 dgr.C….for the beginning of autumn. The last couple of days they had an heatwave with 40 dgr.C even in Victoria, where it normally is not that hot.
Mac flew from Temora 759 km [500 FAI triangle] in the LS 8-t neo, Tocumwal still has flights up to 639 km ,so does Narromine up to 600.
On March 9 the skies were booming over Benalla, according to the Gliding Club of Victoria;”Twenty five launches in the Tug today and the sky is booming!”
Toby Geiger flew in the 15m Ventus 2ax an FAI triangle from 500 km. Mind you later starts and early ends of the days.
Tocumwal had 10 to 11.000 ft cloud base.

Argentina had superb weather on March 8 and 3 pilots noticed that , took their glider for a ride and what a “ride” it was for them.
Juan Pablo Verdura flew in his Ventus 2cm /18 m.;1.673.22 km with a speed of 193 km./h. They had wave up to 7932 MSL.
Federico Buscema flew in the Nimbus 3DM; 1.486.60 km, speed 169.73 km./h.
Alejandro Pettenazza flew in ARCUS M ;1.380,67 km, speed 176.12 km./h.
Zapala Neuquen was the place to be.

Germany had a great weekend on March 10 with 3 over 1000 km flights from Koenigsdorf and Trieben. Even 1,265 in Ventus 2cxm/18 m [ wave up to 5.388 MSL] and 1,289 km in ASH 31/21 m.
Flying from Koenigsdorf to the” Zugspitze” the highest mountain on the border of Germany and Austria [2962 m] is a great way to start the race over the “giving” Alps.
A flight in a Discus 2c/18 m should be mentioned too; 1.120 km.
From Austria Wolfgang flew that same day 1.116 km. from Wiener Neustadt in an ARCUS.

–——-TWIN SHARK news;
“TwinShark has on 6.3.2024 achieved EASA certification, a remarkable achievement coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Libelle H 301’s maiden flight.
Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as we continue to push the boundaries of aviation excellence. Elevate your flying experience with the TwinShark!‘
HpH Sailplanes

Talking about the Libelle, here is more news from Glasflügel-Glasfaser Flugzeug Service 
“Today is the 60th anniversary of the first official flight of the Libelle H 301. Eugen Hänle wanted to check everything would go smoothly, so he did a flight the day before!
Our website has plenty to read about everything Glasflügel, but here is a link to take you straight to today’s focus, with lots of rarely seen photographs.”

https://streifly.de/en/home/glasflugel/h301/ – English

https://streifly.de/h301-de/ – German

We had WORLD WOMEN DAY on March 8 and several gliding clubs with female club members, had their own” Women of Aviation Worldwide Week” and there was more on that day.
When you have 5 minutes and 43 seconds to spare have a look at the great video ““Women carry half the sky”…from Jerolamo Radman who shares pictures from women in gliding “during a championship, gliding meetings, you have crossed my path, from 2008 until 2023, perhaps you will see yourself in one of these photosThank you for these meetings, these smiles, these good times of laugh and friendshipand if you don’t see yourself in this little film… be sure that I still remember you.”

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/vocXEW982bDSimaP/?mibextid=a6qBZl

AND,…..“Gliding Australia celebrates the women who take to the skies. It’s a team effort from our girls, from the instructors to the pilots, students, airworthiness ladies, tug pilots and supporters making it all possible. Let’s celebrate overcoming obstacles, fulfilling dreams, and welcoming more women into the gliding community.”
Talking about the Libelle AND women, more news from Glasflügel-Glasfaser Flugzeug Service
“Today for International Womens Day, we would like to celebrate two exceptional women.
Ursula Hänle was instrumental in the creation of Glasflügel and the development of the Open and Standard Libelle. Later, in her business Start + Flug, she became the first (the only as far as we know) woman to design and build a glider, the Salto.
Barbara Streifeneder worked for Glasflügel as a Draftswoman and her name can be seen on the drawings for the Standard Libelle and Kestrel. She was a partner in the Glasfaser Flugzeug Service until she passed away in 2003.“

——–The 2024 pre- registrations for FAI SAILPLANE GRAND PRIX have been closed and a record participation shows the success of this type of soaring. When there are cancellations you might be lucky to still enter .
I know Terlet in The Netherlands is already fully booked and that is only in Mai 2025.
The following 2024 events pilots pre-registration phase are officially closed for :

• Spain : but still some places available (2), first arrived first served rules is now applied, visit the event page to register.
• Norway : event is full but if any pilot cancel her/his participation, waiting list is small so you can still apply and have a chance. Go to event page to register.
• Germany : event is heavily overbooked.
• Italy : event is slightly overbooked, if any pilot cancel her/his participation, waiting list is small so you can still apply and have a chance. Go to event page to register.
• Slovenia : event is slightly overbooked, if any pilot cancel her/his participation, waiting list is small so you can still apply and have a chance. Go to event page to register.
• France : event is full but if any pilot cancel her/his participation, waiting list is small so you can still apply and have a chance. Go to event page to register.

https://sgp.aero/news/2024registrationsclosed

——–Some IGC plenary news; Aldo was so kind to sent me some dates and news on awards.
TABOR Czech Rep; has the WGC for the “small ships” between August 3 and 17 2024.
Uvalde USA; has the WGC for the big ships between August 14 and September 1 2024
Aalen Germany ; JWGC in 2026.The bid included extremely favorable conditions for renting some gliders.
Slovenia gets the WWGC in 2027.
The 13.5m WGC will be discontinued. The last one will be in Ostrow this year when they have enough pilots and nations to fly it.
The Lilienthal Medal was awarded to Tomas Wala.
The Pirat Gehriger diploma went to John Wharington.
The Pelagia Majewska medal. Not awarded this year.I got mine in 2015!!!!!

To finish the start of news about the 34th edition of the 2024 Senior Soaring championship flown from Seminole Lake in Florida.
Always very pleased to see the pictures from Bo. I share 3 already here, with enough gliders and great skies and some pilots .
Practice was on March 8 and they fly between March 9 to 15.
Many “oldies” with HUGE respect, have their holiday competition in Seminole.
“What started as a friendly competition between friends have turned into a highly competitive event pitting some of the best pilots in the country and beyond. We welcome World/National Champions, Junior Racers as well as first time competitors to Seminole-Lake Gliderport. “

Till now they only flew yesterday. A 3 hour AAT with 4 TP’s ; Sam wrote;”light S wind, cu over entire task area all day. Ave lift around 4 knots.” Pretty good day.

More next week
Cheers Ritz.