37th FAI WORLD GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIP
Szeged, Hungary
24 July 2022 – 5 August 2022

With biltong, brandy and a real Braai, the South African Team was one of the first in front of the hangar and for sure the first to share with all of us, what they were doing. Again the Jonker family was very active, flying ,repairing gliders and “Cooking”.

And more South African news;”
“Rest Day – This morning, there is an aerie silence on the airfield. I’m unsure if this is the calm before the predicted storms or the sound of the collective hangover from the international evening last night.
Last night was a great success with fun had by all.
Team SA went through: 10 kg’s of Braai meat, 2 kg’s of Imported Biltong, 14L of brandy and 40L of Coke…
Unfortunately, against our best efforts, the FAI flag did not survive the evening… we spent most of our evening guarding the flag and ensuring the bolts were tight at all times (as can be seen in the below photos)
We suspect the British team had something to do with this as they very suspiciously disappeared early in the evening around a similar time to the flag disappearance.… As always blame has already been pointed to the innocent South Africans…
Once everyone rises from their cabins, we will establish an official flag investigation unit to get to the bottom of this problem.”

What would a WGC be without the “loss” of the FAI flag?

The USA with Sarah and John had typical USA stuff, as you can see on the picture.

The Dutch of course had cheese and orange-bitter, which is a pretty nice liquor and as always the famous stroopwafels [cookies with honey in the middle] and the British Team’s offering of Pimm’s and Eton Mess, were very popular. The Belgium team had there over-delighted Belgian waffles, this time “on sticks”. I even have not seen that before. AND,…as every year they were a huge success. Italy had delicious past with basilica , The Germans “sauerkraut” and the French real French chees , wine and pate.

Some quotes from the pilots after that great race the day before;

“The day went from under-promising to over-performing. It became a true race at 1.500 to 2.500m with groundspeeds often in excess of 220koh. The 437km was done in 2:46.” Arne from Denmark
“Yesterday – Putting the glider to bed after a great day of flying.” S.A. team
“kovanopeuksinen lentopäivä, kansainvälinen ilta ja vapaapäivä” Riku from Finland, my translator says it means huge speed, international night and a day off. So all ingredients from yesterday till today. And then a long story, in which he tells how proud he was to meet Karl.
“After more than a week, tough HEAT,… intensive and fast flights ,… announced heavy thunderstorms for the afternoon,….the international evening could be really enjoyed…to the fullest ” German blogger.

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12th Junior World Gliding Championship
Tábor, Czech Republic
 30 July 2022 – 13 August 2022

The 74 competitors in Club AND Standard class have practiced in the area and should be ready to go for good places in this JWGC. I have attended a few, as either TC or as competition editor, and those comps with all those young people are just lovely. They have fun, make friends for life , do their utmost best and learn a lot!!!
“Yesterday the welcome party took place. It was great to see young people from many countries chat together not only about gliding. Today the official opening ceremony which will commence at 16:00 in the historical centre of Tabor town on Zizkovo square. The official program will start with a presentation of teams with an introduction of their team captains and pilots. At 16:30 just after a flyby by a group of tow planes, official guests will begin with their speeches. The official ceremony will be closed by the speech of the president of the international jury and FAI anthem.  ” from the official site.

First times are always difficult but David is in Tabor, as only pilot for his country representing the USA. And he really practiced, by flying, with and behind other pilots in Tabor.
By the way in the USA , he is an instructor as well and studied at the  Ohio State University.
At his home field he flies the ASW 27 from his grand dad!!!!

“Confident not that I’ll place high on the score sheet, but confident that I am ready to compete to the best of my ability, and confident that I’m going to learn a ton. I’m excited to see how much better I can be by the end of this amazing experience! “
David McMaster

The young ones [with respect] are beginning their dream comps, tomorrow. I will try to follow them as much as possible.
Well known glider pilot Tomas Rendla is the CD. There is a Polish jury president and a Dutch chief steward.
You are up to date now.

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What happened more out side of the competitions?
Not far from Minden where I was in 1990, is a small airfield Truckee. We visited it one day. It has given pilots lot’s of joy , because of the great flights from there. This time it was well known pilot Ramy Yanetz, who flew to Crater Lake; 1.025 km. with a speed of 144 km./h
“Epic day from Truckee. 18K bases in all directions, including north! The goal was Crater Lake, Oregon. The day started an hour later than expected so an out and return to Crater Lake sounded unrealistic, so the backup plan was to land at Siskiyu and continue back tomorrow, or land at Bend. But when I made it to a crater lake by 4PM even with 10 knots head wind I figured I had a decent chance of making it back, as I did and some more! Extended the flight to Minden at the end of the day. This was my 2nd time to Crater Lake, the first time was a decade ago from Williams but with a stop over at Siskiyu on the way back. This may be the longest O&R north from truckee that I know of. Now I need to visit Crater Lake from the ground.”

And on Friday James Lee flew 1.459,37 km. speed 149.58 km./h in it….An FAI TRIANGLE from 1.218,68 km with a speed of 132.68 km./h!!! 9 hours and 45 minutes total in the air…pffff….Good high famous- Minden-wave all flight.
James flew the triangle in his JS1C./21 m.
Also another 1000 k for Ramy from Truckee.
Nic Bennett is flying from Minden as well. He has his 1000 already , BUT what about 999.73 km!!!!!He flew the ARCUS M.

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And the next FAI SGP is about to start now in Livno Brda Bosni, Bosnia & Herzegovina. They start today and continue till August 13.
Not too many participants , only 7, but a few good ones, Gintas Zube, Jon Gatfield and kilometer-eater Matthias Sturm and his German mate Stefan Langer, who visited Hungary for a few days as well, making nice video’s.
It’s the 5th event out of 10 with 5 to go in Livno in Bosnia Herzegovina,[30 july/6 Augustus ] in France in Vinon,[4 -10 September] in Australia at Gawler [2-8 January 2023] and in Vitacura in Chile [ 8-15 January 2023] and South Africa from Douglas Cape[ 20-26 January 2023]
THE BIG FINALY will be in Italy flown from Pavullo in 2023 ;August 26- September 2.

The 11th series from the FAI SGP in Germany from Eisenhuettenstadt have ended today, with a no-flying-day….the day was cancelled.
So the results I gave you yesterday stand;
1. Dirk Windmüller in AS 33es with 30 points.
2. Robin Förster in ASG 29e/18 m with 28 points.
3. Andreas Kühl in JS3 jet/18m with 26 points.
Dirk and Robin just got their tickets for the Finale next year in Italy!
www.sgp.aero

With rain in Hungary Max [Formula 1] might do well with his qualification. He likes rain. Tomorrow is the big race on the Hungaroring. Tomorrow also another day/week in Szeged and the first one in Tabor.
Will keep an eye on it!!Now an early evening!!!
Cheers and thanks for reading with so many.
Ritz