ID Badges!!! First Launch Postponed till 14.00!

While waiting for the pilots to start flying (gridding closed at 13.20 with first possible launch at 13.50 ), I would like you to tell you that I have had my ID badge since yesterday. I had to smile; on it is written “guest WE”. WE is Bill’s callsign. Mind you I am VERY happy with that; the USA team has been extremely kind to me. If I need a cool room I am welcome at ALL times in their team hut. I even have a polo shirt with Team USA on it with my name RITZ. Also two shirts from SoaringCafe, as I’m sure you know by now, I am the blogger for them this year and proud to be that.

I have a whole wall of ID badges, but NONE with guest on it. Pretty special, after having had them with Crew, TC (Dutch team at several EGC’s, WGC’s and JWGC ) , Competition Journalist, Editor, Juror {(Italy), Steward (Finland). I have to find out who I am and what I can do as “Guest”. Don’t get me wrong, I am pleased to be a GUEST, but it feels different, as you know what I mean.

This is my LAST competition travelling to a location. It’s time to stop on “a high” and time for the next generation to take over. I’ll keep writing of course: my own blog www.soaring.eu , for www.soaringcafe.com , and my column in Gliding International www.glidinginternational.com .

The day after tomorrow we are concentrating on the 32nd WGC here in Uvalde. Less social talk—more about the comps and the action!
Normally I wish all pilots while walking over the grid before they go up, a “thumb’s up” and “have a good one.” Did that many years.
We do understand the rules here; they are for me and everybody else except TC’s and crew of course; nobody is allowed at the grid while launching.
No worries!
So … I do it now, with written words before the show starts. ” Have a good one Guy’s and Girls,;fly safe and be happy and relaxed.” May the best win in each class.

That is Bill; flying however must be his first priority. Rand, who will arrive next week and I, as the main blogger, are ready to inform you the best way we can. The Soaring Café is happy to be an addition to the official Uvalde site, as the more PR/news about soaring, the better!

Pilots…enjoy your competition, crews keep going under the pretty demanding circumstances, and readers look at ALL sites and on Facebook, to get yourself a good idea what’s going on here in
UVALDE.
As said WE are ready!!!!

By the way I guess the sniffer goes up; I see one tug go out to the field.
First launch postponed to 14.00. CU in the next blog!