Looking ahead at a new season!Sebastian Kawa.

With only 20 flights on the first day of February, the over-seas -season looks really over and we have to wait for more exciting xc- soaring in spring. And …as we all know , conditions can be VERY good in spring time.
Nice to see that the CD from Uvalde 2012, Ken Sorenson,  topped the OLC list on February 1 with a 419 km. flight from Houston. Not bad, as spring  has to arrive there as well.

Still great soaring conditions in Australia , though the days are getting shorter. When you can fly a 500 km FAI triangle in a Hornet it shows  still  great weather.
The Horsham Week [Victoria] with 34 participants in 4 classes has started and is already for years , one of the last comps of the Australian season. A fun competition, but with a serious underground.
Narromine had last week still a 1000 km. flight flown by young and promising Ben Loxton [30]  in the Ventus 2CT /18m. And,…the conditions were not even optimal.
—“What an ordinary day, but what a spectacular day!–”
—“4hrs into a 22kt headwind saw progress slow.  Downwind though, the AWESOME CLIMB & CRUISE switch was flicked at 15:30 and the game was  on!_-”
Adam Woolley.

Ben Loxton 3all seen by Adam

Ben after his 1000 km. flight on January 31 2013.
Pretty late in the season…. still possible!
picture courtesy Adam Woolley.

Unfortunately the weather was not too good in Chaves during the WGC. But only 2 weeks later the temperatures are around 35 dgr. and SUNNY conditions , no rain. What a pity, but the weather is the weather.
A ” living legend ” I called Sebastian Kawa in my article about Chaves for the upcoming Gliding International.I am going to read his book as well now.
I liked his interview with Elke Fuglsang on the latest news from the OLC. I do agree with him that politics should stay out of soaring, but I know it is not easy to do so. Too many “ego’s “.  I noticed the problem in the past as well in several countries.
I was a bit amazed however about his opinion about first class events in soaring and as he visited and still visits many , his opinion as the best ever pilot at this moment,  is important and maybe something to talk about on the next plenary in the Netherlands end of this month and the beginning of March.If not during the meeting than still as a lobby while socializing.

Sebastian Kawa

Sebastian as seen on and shared from FB.
Great picture by the way.

Sebastian won till now 13 golden medals;

6 at WGC’s ; in 2003 in world class in Nitra, in 2004 in club class in Elverum [Norway] , in 2006 in Vinon in France, in 2010 in standard class in Prievidza, in 2012 in Uvalde in 15 m. class and in 2013 in Chaves[ Argentina] .
He also won the World Air Games [gliding] in Torino in Italy in 2009.
During EGC ‘s he won in 2005 in club class in Nitra, in 2007 in club class in Pocuinai and in 2011 in standard class in Nitra.
He won 3 x a Grand Prix, in 2005 in Saint Auban [France] , in 2007 in Omarama [N.Z.] in and in 2010 in Chile.

Talking about GP’s and Chile , another one has been flown and just ended, this time at Vitacura. No Sebastian there, but some top Chilean pilots, 6 in total,  2 of them Rene and Carlos absolute toppers,…. and 5  European pilots, all WGC level.
Carlos won 3 days, the rest of the days were a prey for the European pilots! But they did not win with those victories as the GP Champion ‘s name is Carlos Rocca,  with his mate Rene Vidal as runner up and Thomas from Italy as a good 3d!
Not always easy days , pilots had to WORK, for the points but there is nothing wrong with that. On one day when pilots “used ” the mountains, Jarislav Vach made some great pictures and shared them on FB.

Grand prix mountains 5

Grand prix Chile more mountains  Grand Prix mountains 4

Grand prix Chile mountains 3
Pictures Courtesy Jarislav “Jarda” Vach.

 

Looking ahead at the season 2013 , with hopefully great and safe flights. Enough competitions as wel,l so I will try to cover as many as possible.

For all the other news from last week you can also read www.soaringcafe.com

Cheers Ritz