The Western Cape Regional Soaring Contest

The inaugural Western Cape Regionals (WCR) was held at Worcester in the fairest Cape in 2012.  This event was hosted by the Cape Gliding Club at their Worcester site.  (330 39′ 52.37″S,  0190 25′ 02.11″E).  The club is roughly 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Cape Town and most of the members are from that city.  Worcester itself is a farming town supplying the needs of the local wine, table grape and fruit farmers.   The inaugural event was judged a great success and a repeat was scheduled for January 2013.   This region of the Western Cape is mountainous – our airfield is at just 650′ AMSL and within 20 kilometres the mountains rise to 7000′.  The ranges run North-South to the north and west of the airfield and roughly East-West to the East of the field.  Soaring is possible in a variety of wind directions and wave, ridge, thermal and convergences are all enjoyed by the pilots, and on occasion all these forms of lift have been used in a single flight.

Crossing the Winterberg
Worcester from Brandwag mountain at 7000' thumbnail
Passed by the JS1 thumbnail
Passed by the JS1 thumbnail
1962 a vintage year - Ka6CR & Jaguar Mk2  thumbnail
Weather and task briefing thumbnail
IMG_2075 thumbnail
Approaching Worcester thumbnail

Crossing the Winterberg

Worcester from Brandwag mountain at 7000'

Passed by the JS1

Passed by the JS1

1962 a vintage year - Ka6CR & Jaguar Mk2

Weather and task briefing

IMG_2075

Approaching Worcester

Crossing the Winterberg "Hanging Valley"

Worcester from Brandwag mountain at 7000'

Passed by the JS1

Passed by the JS1

1962 a vintage year - Ka6CR & Jaguar Mk2

Weather and task briefing

Approaching Worcester

The 2013 contest ran from the Sunday the 21st to the 26th of January –  Sunday 21st was the practise day.

The competitors chose  to fly in either of 2 classes – Class 1 was the senior class and Class 2 was aimed at the pilots less experienced particularly in mountain flying.   The tasks set for the 2 classes reflected theses differences.

The aircraft entered in the event included the JS1c with jet sustainer flown by Laurens Goudriaan,   an 18 metre JS1, ASW 27, Ventus, and some older aircraft including a Janus and LS3a.  The oldest aircraft flying was a Ka6CR which was flown with great verve and enthusiasm and managed some excellent speeds.

All the tasks flown were set along the mountain ridges and ridge, thermal and on one day wave lift was used by the pilots to complete their tasks.  In the immediate vicinity of the airfield pilots require caution in the event of a possible out landing – most farms are devoted to grape farming and vineyards are not suitable for field landings.  Further from base the farming practises change to more glider friendly activities mostly wheat.

Launching was performed with the club’s 180 HP Super Cub assisted by a PZL Wilga, unlike many contests gliders were launched to a point at which access to mountain lift was possible resulting in longer tows.

The club keeps a comfortable air-conditioned clubhouse – air conditioning is especially appreciated by the earth bound contest “workers” on those 400 C (1040 F)  days, there is a swimming pool and a grassy area where members can cool off in the water,  or relax in the shade while awaiting the pilots return.  Camping or  caravans may use this space to provide accommodation.  The evening meals were catered with a traditional South African “braai” (barbeque to non South Africans) and contestants managed to be comfortable in local establishments or on the field itself.

What of the flying?  Detailed results are on Soaring Spot but some highlights include speeds of 182.8 kilometre per hour on the longest task – the slowest pilot on that task achieved 171.9 kph – a really fast days flying.  Tasks ranged from 253 kilometres to 486 for the Class 1 pilots and from 253 to 325 for the Class 2 pilots.

What next?  There was a general consensus that we need to repeat this event next year – all are welcome to join us for the next Western Cape Regionals.  Some of the attached pictures give some idea of our magnificent surroundings and may whet your appetites to join us.  The club website is www.cgc.org.za and details of all the clubs activities can be found there.

Mike Pascoe

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