At 12.55 the ARCUS went up in the air to find out about the conditions, no action from the tuggies as yet so  time for something totally different ; time to remember Anssi. I have Mark’s 1991- book on my lap and see in the Uvalde Express from August 1 1991  the smiling face of this bright young man, who died that day.
A mid-air-collision between him and a Japanese pilot, finished his too short life, only 26 he was. I still see him dancing with my daughter Inge , who was here as well.
We then promised to NEVER forget him, so also for the new generation  , I bring this up 21 years later, maybe also because we yesterday had that minor midair.
I leave you with the words from the SSA president in 1991 Judy Lincoln;”Let us remember him as a friend, a team mate, a pilot who treasured the glint of afternoon sun on sleek fiberglass…the graceful pirouette of a thermalling glider…the excitement of contest finishes”.

Here we continue, no action yet [13.30] only pilots pushing their gliders forward over the runway, in this heat. I am slowly melting in ” my” tent/white marquis, but I do not sit in the full sun, they must really suffer.  Umbrella’s are out and aircondionated cars are on the site of the runway.
All the trades- people in this tent are so kind!!! Know them all now and I am welcomed every day as one of them. Got my own tea cup here, with my ow pot of honey , they bought tea bags for me have  my own pillow from a lady in town as I am sitting on an “honest” wooden seat and after 1 week I feel my…..So I am settled and ready for the 32 WGC. One practise day to go and then the opening and the “real thing.

One of the people being in charge of the grid/tie-down-area/ground here is Richard. Met Richard at 2 occasions in Italy during the JWGC and WGC in Rieti, when he was TC for the USA team. Nice fellow! Great to see him back, after I first did n’t even regonised him, ouch!!!!

Richard 

It is 13.25 now and the tugs are on their way to the runway. Blue skies, so dry thermals, a bit hazy looking to the S. and some high cirrus firmament.
At 13.40 practise day 5 was a fact, launches are in progress!
2 More practise days to go 6 and 7!