Pictures courtesy WWGC FB site.
It was raining in Issoudun, the day before the opening AND during the morning of the opening ceremony. Luckily for all, the planned AIRSHOW could continue, as well as the parade of the “STARS”.
In the picture is Jacques Aboulin, who flew the DEMO in the T6 yesterday during the opening of the 7th FAI WWGC. Jacques is, certainly for the older soaring pilots, well known. He flew in the 1987 WGC in Benalla for France and had a great 3rd position behind the champion Marku Kuittinen from Finland (who sadly died last year just before Christmas), and Mike Opitz from the USA. All three flew a Discus, the winner an A, the runner up a B. and Jacques,” just” the Discus. All three of them, as well as Alain Delylle, who was in 5th plac , flew themselves to a score of over 10,000 points!
Here is a short excerpt I found in one of my photo-books from a radio interview conducted by Rob Moore with Mike Opitz in 1987.
Mike found the task (501.2 km) to be one continuous gaggle. He found some wave before starting, along with a couple of others and felt he hung out around it too long. The French team started and were out in the distance before he left. The French, on top of the main gaggle, managed to keep their distance ahead of the gaggle and had good times.
Mike found the weather was not as good as forecast—about 4 kts average lift. A couple were 6 kts but this was not regular, convection only going to 5000 ft at most and it wasn’t worth fighting for the last couple of hundred feet, although a lot in the gaggle hung on, notwanting to be the first to leave.
Coming out of The Rock (TP 1), he was on top of the gaggle for 20 miles and then headed out first with a teammate, getting down to 2000 ft before finding another thermal. The horde ran over the top of them, but over the next 20 miles they caught up with it and got back on top again.
Conditions did improve somewhat on the 2nd leg as the day heated up, with thermals averaging 5 kts. About 20 miles before Canargo, TP 2, Mike decided that it was time to cut loose from the pack. He seemed he was carrying more water than a lot of the other guys and he did successfully outrun the gaggle.
So far, 1987 back to 2013, back to Jacques. He is Laurent Aboulin’s dad. It’s only nearly one year ago that Laurent won the open class in Uvalde,Texas. It’s all in the family! Great isn’t it!?
The 53 girls are ready to go for it in this 7th FAI WWGC.
Compliments to the organisers putting such lovely pictures on their FB site, so those who do not know them can see the faces belonging to the pilots. All their PR is just good! How cool are the social media for that reason.
The UK team, Kerrie from Australia with husband/crew/TC Tom and the Dutch team, of course in orange and last but not least, Swaantje carrying the German flag.
Pictures courtesy Swaantje.
Tasks have been set and the A tasks are: 269.0 for the Club ladies, 311.0 for the standard girls, and 337.7 km for 15 m.
Always an important day this day 1, for those who have flown a lot of WWGC’s already, but certainly for those who are participating for the very first time. An opening ceremony, walking behind your national flag, and an airshow; it is all pretty impressive.
First day’s briefing in Issoudun.
Picture courtesy Hobbit.
These WWGC gliders will not reach the speeds of Ron Tabery flying the USA Open Class Nationals in Hobbs, New Mexico at the moment. Ron flies the ASW 22BLE and is eight points behind Dick Butler in the CONCORDIA after four days. On day 4, Ron “raced” over the task of 337 miles (542 km) with a speed of 99.95 mph/ 160km/h That is fast, certainly during a competition.
I found this great picture of the ETA BITER on FB. The glider from Heinz Weissenbühler, who is, after 4 days, in 5th place overall.
Yesterday they had a rest day due to a sand storm.
As shared on FB
In 15 m, it is David Mockler leading the overall scores after 4 days in the ASG 29/15m.
The European Championships for the smaller ships start on the 5th. Most pilots have arrived and —WOW!— there are some very strong ones. I don’t dare to predict anything this time! Maybe Sebastian is going to win; can’t go wrong there, can I? But…he is, like we all are, “just” a human being.
The Belgium friends, ready to practise today after a front had passed, commented on the “Dutch style”. Have a look…
4 wheel quad, glider in trailer, all taken from Germany, where Jelmer, who flies the DG1001T for Holland, lives. And the gliders of Bert, Jr. and Tijl Schmelzer
Last but not least! “TOPGUN” at Silverstone where the Formula 1 will be driven today. What a spectacular demonstration of the Red Arrows. They are SOOOO good! What great fun to see David Coulthard and Louis Hamilton IN the planes. Loved it!
For more detailed news about the WWGC and the USA Nationals you can read www.soaring.eu
See you next Sunday.
Cheers…Ritz
