Wednesday evening. August 18;
No flying in Montlucon means, more time for writing also for crews, pilots and TC’s. So I searched the internet to see how the people feel in Montlucon.
–—––Tim Taylor, runner up in standard class on task 9 in 15 m. class;
“The day started out dark and didn’t get much better. I thought we going on a one way trip to an outlanding. I hit a big patch of sink after climbing out on my first tow and had to dump my water and relight. I found a good thermal near the gate after the relight and was in position to start when several others were going.”
“Coming out of the third turn I had climbed to the top of the group in the thermal and was able to join with Sebastian Kawa. He still had some water so I couldn’t run with him, but it was nice to have an other glider searching for lift. I knew Sebastian had started well behind me so he would be much faster for the day, but two gliders are much better than one searching for lift in the darkness. There was a little spot of sun on the ground ahead and we still needed one more climb to reach final glide. Fortunately as we reached the sunlight there were several weak thermals developing that got us home. Still amazed we got around in a nearly cloud covered sky and that I will get to stand on the podium tomorrow for the first time at a world’s. #usteamfrance2021

—–WGC 2021 – Day 10 Day scrubbed . Team UK

—-about out-landings;….Terrorizing the French Fields |.Team USA

—-More TEAM USA , they did well, so have a right to more room in this blog
“The excitement really started when the Club Class gliders were approaching the last turnpoint. Thies Bruins (IV) and Daniel had moved well out front and started down the final leg. All of club class was getting low and falling further behind. Daniel and Thies headed home getting out in front of each other several times. Then Daniel approached a thermal that Thies was in, bumped it and kept going. Thies stayed a bit and then moved east a little then turned south. Daniel soon acquired final glide and finished. Meanwhile the rest of Club Class began landing out and trailers began leaving the field.” USA captains report on Daniel winner of task 9 in club class.

—-The German team has several pilots at top spots so they deserve some “room” too in this post.
At this stage Stefan Langer is 5 in club class , his mate Uwe Wahlig, leads in this class and David Bauder is 11 in 15 m.
In standard class they top the overall scores at this time with a 1 and 2 position, with Simon Schroeder and Jan Omsels!!!

—-Matthew Scutter;
“I don’t know whether the wing had too much polish or the thermal phase was out of resonance with the wing or the tanks were full of heavy water, but I just could not manage to string a climb and glide together for the first half of the flight.”

—-Mind you,….in between we have the same lousy weather here in the Netherlands!!!!

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In between I looked at Rieti as well as after the C.I.M. the Coppa Citta de Rieti was flown and a lot of C.I.M participants stayed for that competition too. There are 40 pilots, in the end 34 showed up, divided in 2 groups.
I concentrate on one group, as that’s where most of the pilots I know fly and that just makes writing easier.
After 3 days with good weather, tasks and speed there were 3 different daily winners.
On task 1 it was the French Bouderlique team [ARCUS M] who flew the set task of 383 km. with a speed of 129 km./h.
Runner up was Jon Gatfield from the UK in his AS 33es/18m.;128 km./h.
14 From 23 finished.
Task 2 on August 16 was a prey for the ARCUS T team with Alberto [Sironi] even ,when he like many others, got a penalty; Firefighting exclusion zone infringed (Rules of the Air)
They flew the 433 km. with a speed of 151 km./h.
19 From 23 finished.
Task 3 was won by Alvaro in his ASH 31 Mi 21m.; 149 km./h. during a 2.50 AAT ; 427 km. in time 2.52 good effort!!!!
No flying on Wednesday.

Now most of the big [CAT 1] comps in Europe are over ,some pilots look ahead already to the overseas season in Africa Namibia , Australia and New Zealand.
With covid-19 still hanging around I guess the last 2 might not be an option for this upcoming down -under -season.

—-And news about the Nationals from South Africa;
They will be in Potchefstroom:
“Entries are now OPEN for October Nationals – This will include classes for Club, 15m, and Double-Seater.We will be hosting this in Potchefstroom from 3-9 October 2021, with an official practice day on 2 October. Please visit https://gliderank.com to submit your entry. This is a new system that we have been developing to ease the process of competition admin, and hopefully make it easier for the pilots too. ENTRY DEADLINE IS 4 SEPTEMBER 2021 – thereafter a late entry fee will be applicable.
There will also be a December Nationals for Open and 18m classes in Welkom, more to be communicated about that at a later stage.“

—-and from Kiripotib;
“We are looking forward to our time in Kiripotib. Our gliders will be packed in the containers in two weeks, to arrive in Namibia in time for this years gliding season. If you think of gliding in Namibia, send us your enquiry. We still have Arcus and and Ventus 3M, also in the best time, available. Yesterday we picked up at Schempp-Hirth a new Arcus M. On this glider are also some days free, don’t wait to ask for it.”

and from Bitterwasser; this news is from Mai 23 ,so there might be changes.
“Indeed, everything has already been set up for service at the lodge: Michael Stoltze and Dirk Skura look after the flight office. In the main time they receive additional support. And if something breaks Manfred Dieterle steps into action in the workshop. Many already know him from the previous season. In the kitchen Louis is again responsible for an outstanding menu.
Corona should no longer play a role at the beginning of November. In Germany and Europe everyone should be vaccinated by then. And the lodge staff will be too! Nothing stands in the way of a carefree gliding vacation.
It is already largely certain who the administrators Luzaan and Rodrik van Neel will welcome as guests. Most of the interested pilots have already registered. The containers have been booked out for weeks. And with the charter gliders it is high time to book only a few time slots are still open.
For those interested in safaris: A herd of impalas has now joined the giraffes and zebras.“

—–and from the GRAND FINAL OF THE FAI SAILPLANE GRAND PRIX between September 5 and 11 2021 flown by 20 pilots from different countries organized by the CNVV Saint-Auban
“Joining the 10 pilots who qualified from the events that took place are 8 pilots invited by the cancelled event organizers [ due to COVID- 19]and the SGP team, the reigning champion and a wild card entry for the host country. 
We are pleased to announce there are 20 pilots accepted to compete in the 10^th final from 10 countries. We are looking forward to a very competitive and exciting final in September!”

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day with some good soaring…..no lottery for the last 2 days.
CU then
Cheers Ritz