Potchefstroom enjoys great soaring weather.Chile Sailplane GP has started!

Arrived back home safely and realized I should have stayed a few days longer to be part of the Australia -day -festivities and to have missed out on snow and icy conditions.
From plus 46 dgr. to – 7 , is something you really feel.I am wearing my purely Merino blazer today ,[made in China???] , bought at Tullamarine airport and to be honest , with the rain outside and the higher temperatures it is TOO warm.

Potchefstroom has great weather, a bit late  in the season , but who cares. Oscar Atti and Uys flew special 1000 km. flights, not exactly as planned but a 1000 is a 1000 ,is n’t it?

As Sven mentioned on FB;
—” Today Oscar Goudriaan became the first pilot to complete a 1000 km task in a 21m JS1-C.  Oscar, accompanied by Attie and Uys Jonker in their 18m JS1 gliders took off from Potchefstroom and started a declared 1000km out and return.  Unfortunately thunderstorms south of Petrusburg (near Bloemfontein), forced them to chang…e the declared task in flight.  Oscar’s 2nd turnpoint was North West of Stella, and a much needed climb well past 18h00 allowed them to add the last 100km leg required complete a 1000km free distance flight just before sunset.  It was not a great day for a 1000km, with the trio struggling through the low, blue conditions unitl 13h00. Although some good climbs were found in the later part of the day, 3m/s climbs were the standard.  It is the first time in the history of the Potch Gliding club that more than one 1000km flight was completed in a season.  Oscar completed 1042km, Attie 1004 and Uys 1001 km.—“
As Oscar said already; There is more to come. And here is the latest news .

And another message this time from Jonkers Sailplanes. AP Kotze flies on his second flight on the JS 1 a 1000km., with the message “dankie ” Oscar and Uys!!!!! Not special, but still special!

—“Today another 1000km by a JS1 from Potchefstroom. Actually not one, but three flights with a JS1 of 1033km. Pilots Oscar Goudriaan, Uys Jonker and AP Kotze. For AP it was his second flight ever on a JS1. AP is one of the engineers working with Jonker Sailplanes.
 They started on a 1000km FAI triangle declared task starting at Potchefstroom, Delportshoop, Vorstershoop and back to Potchefstroom. Unfortunately a storm cloud killed the thermal activity at the last leg and with 300m short they were forced to land at the airfield of Klerksdorp (remember that when landing out you could have an encounter with the yellow sheep). Total distance flown was 1033km.
 Potchefstroom is more on the east part of South Africa where the thermals are good, but not like the west side or Namibie. Last year the first ever 1000km out and return was flown by Uys Jonker on the JS1.
 With AP doing his second flight on the JS1 (normally he flied a Cirrus) doing a 1000km, it again proofs how easy the JS1 flies and the great performance it gives to the pilots.—“

And in Chile the  GP started in Santiago,  with a good first day with top weather , for the Chilean pilots Carlos Rocca and Rene Vidal, winning the 10 and 8 points for the day. With great speed as well; 150 km./h over 433 km. and 147 km./h.Patrick Puskeiler was a good third with 143 km./h.
It nearly is a Schempp-Hirth competion as except for one glider, Thomas’ Diana 2 , all gliders are built by Tilo’s company, as mini nimbus, ventus 2B and 2CT and discus.

Grand prix start
Just before the start.
Courtesy Art Grant.

In Narromine the double seater 20 m. class is in progress and today on day 5 the Medlicott’s won the day, both Harry and Wendy, not the youngest anymore , but well deserved. Their new ARCUS seems to fit them. Runners up today the Maddock’s . I met them in Benalla.
After 5 days the overall scores are in favour of the Maddock’s in the duo discus, with as runner up the DG 1000 with Terry Cubley.
The Medlicott’s are on spot 4 now!The comps go till the 31.Will keep you informed.

That’s it for today. More news next time>
For all other news you can read www.soaring.eu

cheers Ritz