Tocumwal!IGC meeting in March in Potchefstroom.Still cold!!!!

Alphen aan den Rijn     Wednesday February 8 2012

ritzdeluy@hotmail.com     www.glidinginternational.com     www.soaringcafe.com 

 
Great pictures from Kari who made them from the LS 6 JJ, just before the competition gliders were launched!Thanks a lot Kari!

In Tocumwal the multi class Nationals continued and there was some doubt about the weather , trough/front/wind,but as I know very well the weather can change quickly in Toc, so it was good for soaring when you see Bruce fly with a speed of  123.4 km/h. over 392 km. and win the day [3 for him 4 for st and 15m.].
In 15 m. Lisa won.Good on her .Well done!!!
In the combined open class it was Bruce as well but Gerrit with the first open class glider.
In standard class 2 Japanes pilots gathered their strenght and Mac and Shinzo were 1 and 2.

  


Daily winners. All pictures courtesy Anita Taylor.

Here is what Bruce had to say about the day;
—“Today was one of those post-frontal days which begin with some cus, and as the day goes on it becomes more and more blue. Usually more heating just means the cus disappear, but the height and strength does not increase. So, it is a toss-up between starting early and having some clouds to help, or playing the start game and having some company to help. Not surprisingly I chose the former option. There were a few other early birds, and we had a reasonable time, with only one real low point, then as we went further south the conditions improved and it was possible to get some nice long runs. I arrived home to an empty airfield, which is always a good sign! I am very happy with today’s flight, as I remember well how much I used to hate blue weather.–“
 
Day 5  in 15 m class was won by Craig Collings but Terry Cubley is after 5 days the topper in the overall scores.
 
Terry and Bruce overall toppers in 15 and 18 m after 5/4 days.
 
It was a bit of a shock to my system when I read this morning that one of my very good friends Gerrit who flies the Multi class Nationals in Tocumwal was,  as twittered by Anita”  to be transf’d to Melb to have a pacemaker fitted. Our thoughts are with Gerrit, Pam & family.”
Needed a cup of tea first!!!You have friends and friends and I am pleased to say that I have a lot , but a few are special and Gerrit belongs to them already for years! Hope he will be well soon and can pick up live as before!!! My thoughts are with Gerrit and Pam and his 2 daughters and son and of course his grandson.
 
They did fly for day 5 and 6 and a 3 hour AAT  was won in open class by Bruce with a speed of 113 km. over 363 km.
In 15m. Craig and Lisa [ both speed of 106 km./h over a 2.30 AAT] were 1 and 2 and Lisa tops the overall scores at this stage before Terry.
In 18 m. it was Bruce again in the JS1 ,[387 km with 120 km./h. over a 3 hour AAT]  he was 9 km faster as Lars who was 2d.
In standard class junior pilot Andrew Maddocks had a top day winning the AAT of 2.30, with 274 km in 2.33. In total 3 Joey Glide juniors perform in Tocumwal with Andrew, Matthew Scutter Adam Henderson and also 2 young Polish pilots.
 
Andrew to the r. Courtesy Anita Taylor  and in the back row from r. to l. Andrew,  Matthew and Adam.In the middle Adam Woolley who was a tuggie with us in the past for a short time. He is very involved in the juniors as advocate to the GFA, and he also keeps a blog.

Now the SSA 2012 convention in Reno is over,[ for ALL that news you can go to www.soaringcafe.com  ]   we look ahead at the IGC plenary in South Africa and I received already some info. Rick Sheppe from the USA will be there and inform you and me straight from the source.
Here is what he send me already;

—“I look forward to an interesting meeting.  We will decide the location
of four competitions in 2015 (WWGC, JWGC, EGC, and WGC in the 13.5 Meter
Class).  We will also talk about:
Changing the rules for a competition finish
The 20 Meter 2 Seat Class
Flight Recorders
Handicaps
Pilot ranking
The World Championships calendar
Plans for future Sailplane Grand Prix and World Air Games
and much more.  It will be a busy two days!–“
 
You remember you could bid on the book from Philip Wills; here is the result. My “boss ” John Roake opened the bid with 50 dollar on “Free as a bird” [1973] and won;
—“Congratulations for John Roake for the spectacular opening and winning bid for the book which will be on its way as soon as you send me your mailing address John. I’m sure that Lymphoma Australia will be very happy with the generous donation. Thanks John.—“

Talking about John Roake, the post-man did NOT find in the busy Christmas period , a few adresses here in Europe to bring the latest GI. But yesterday morning it was on my doormat. John started with a new serie about gliding mecca’s. The first is Omarama and Rod Dew , the former Sports Editor of “The Press” news paper in NZ investigates the reasons why ” the Place of Light ” is held in such reverence by soaring pilots throughout the world. 15 pages of great pictures and reading!!!
Further on an interview with Klaus Ohlman, David Roberts with updates from European Airsports and rules, the introduction of a new collegue and what introduction; a fantastic picture in the middle,  double spread, from photographer Maria Szemplinska from Canada, the Perlan Project and much, much more.Enjoy!!! www.glidinginternational.com
 
The 11-town-race-FEVER is higher then high.Not the best picture I took from my paper but just to let you know/see what’s going to happen WHEN it remains atleast 10 under 0 for another week. Schoools will have the day off ; you can compare it with Melbourne Cup day in Australia except this is only once in so many years as we need terrible cold days and nights. It was 15 years ago that we could enjoy it to the fullest. And…it might happen now …..the people involved in “yes or no” have a meeting tonight again. The news even reached the Washington post calling it “a deeply cherished Dutch tradition”.
16.000 Skaters who have been selected and have to be member of the 11-town-club, are waiting feverish to be part of this 219 km. long tour.
 Last week some friends from the Frysian Aero club flew already over the area in a motor glider and they made great pictures .
  The 11 towns and the lay- out of the tour.

That’s it for today. Cheers Ritz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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