Rieti is definitely the place to be this season - just look at the speeds achieved on the first day of the Juniors in the standard class
1. 21 Schmelzer Bert BEL Discus 2ax 14:30:14 02:28:57 148.4km/h 368.5km 793
2.KG Gai Patrick GER LS 8 14:34:56 02:33:27 144.1km/h 368.5km 748
3. A8 Dickinson Dane NZ LS8 14:33:18 02:35:07 142.5km/h 368.5km 732
4. VL Kantor Jan CZE Discus CS 14:39:48 02:36:24 141.4km/h 368.5km 720
5. LOT Jarysz Piotr POL LS 8 14:22:10 02:36:57 140.9km/h 368.5km 715
In any language this is FAST!!!
IF only i did not have to work i would be back for the CIM later in August (dream on ;-)
Meanwhile back on the island they have finished the standard class nationals - these are the results. The pack led by Richard Hood, who definitely falls in the same category as Mak. I wonder what is going to be on their team to Rieti next year (i certainly had money on Jay and Henry, and they really did fly well in the Sabina Glide)?
Here are the overall results
1st Richard Hood 2513pts Wins 10,000 airmiles
2nd Tim Milner 2359pts Wins EW Logger
3rd Howard Jones 2284pts Wins Thomas Parachute
4th Bob Thirkell 2264pts Wins Icom Radio
5th Steve Ell 2254
6th Paul Fritche 2105
7th Alan Clarke 2052
8th Richard Johnson 2040
9th John Arnold 2021
10th Mark Davis 1972
11th Ian MacArthur 1928
12th Nick Smith 1825
13th Henry Rebbeck 1814
14th Chris Luton 1760
15th Russel Francis 1759
16th Peter Baker 1724
17th Oliver Ward 1664
18th David Booth 1641
19th Steve Woolcock 1093
20th Jay Rebbeck 55
221st Darren Lodge 296
22nd Bruce Cooper Withdrew
In Pociunai they have been sitting on the ground, but the weather is set to change (watch this space)
Sven
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Friday, 27 July 2007
MAK
Makoto Ichikawa
One of the greatest things about soaring and soaring contests are the people you meet. And amongst the greatest of them must count Makoto Ichikawa. I first met Mak in Mafikeng and have seen him at every overseas contest i have flown in since (save for Sabina Glide). In Sweden i was certain that he would be on the podium (with 3 days to go), unfortunately it did not turn out that way. Today, he goes into the last day of the pre-worlds in Lusse in second place in the 18m class. It is going to be a difficult day and i hope the soaring gods will look favourably on him. Herewith a full interview with him, posted by Stefan Maikowski (answering some of the enigmas that surround Mak, and obscuring others).
Our most welcomed guest Makoto Ichikawa
Makoto is a frequent participant of international competitions and also often takes part in Nationals as a guest on a wild card. As many of us can't remember Japanese names well, most people just call him Mac.
Probably many of us are a bit shy to get in contact with him, so it's no wonder, that some rumors have spread. One of them is that he's one of the very few pilots, who gets paid for flying competitions and participating in Gliding Championships.
In our interview he cleared up this misunderstanding. Up to 1999 indeed, he did earn money as an instructor and also was sponsored for his participation in international competitions. Ever since he's been paying his own way, and has to take vacations for the competitions like everyone else.
People also wonder why he is walking around a lot with a white mask on his face. In the middle of heavy exhaust fumes in Japan this is quite normal, but we don't see a need for this out in the country, where the air is clear. The explanation is simple again, Mac suffers from an allergy and protects his nose.
At the Lilienthal Glide he is doing very well and is currently in the third position. On the first days of the competition he didn't do that well. He first had to get used to the ASG 29, that a friend has lent him for the competition, while his own Ventus 2Cx is being used by someone else. Most of his miles he flies in Europe and Australia. Thus his glider is normally stationed in Europe. Back home in Japan – he lives in Tokyo – he has a syndicate share in a LS8. So he is very familiar with most glider types. In the Ventus he enjoys the use of the flaps to set the speed, when racing to the next thermal.
Asked for his favorite gliding sites in Europe he mentions besides Lüsse, Lezno Poland. His first gliding coach came from Poland. And in the 1993 World Championship he flew a SZD. About Lüsse he likes the uncomplicated flying in a flat country with good chances for cloud streets forming on windy days and huge fields making outlandings easy. That's quite a different story in Japan. There, the gliding season is much shorter than here. The best months are January to May and September to October and average distances to be flown range between 300 and 400 kilometers due to an oftentimes low cloudbase.
Also wave flying is possible above the Japanese mountains, where altitudes up to 7000 meters can be reached. As one would expect, due to his Japanese modesty he fails to mention, that it was him, who flew the first 1000 kilometers distance in Japan in wave flight in a Nimbus 4 together with his copilot Inagaki.
stefan.maikowski[at]maikoal.de
Probably many of us are a bit shy to get in contact with him, so it's no wonder, that some rumors have spread. One of them is that he's one of the very few pilots, who gets paid for flying competitions and participating in Gliding Championships.
In our interview he cleared up this misunderstanding. Up to 1999 indeed, he did earn money as an instructor and also was sponsored for his participation in international competitions. Ever since he's been paying his own way, and has to take vacations for the competitions like everyone else.
People also wonder why he is walking around a lot with a white mask on his face. In the middle of heavy exhaust fumes in Japan this is quite normal, but we don't see a need for this out in the country, where the air is clear. The explanation is simple again, Mac suffers from an allergy and protects his nose.
At the Lilienthal Glide he is doing very well and is currently in the third position. On the first days of the competition he didn't do that well. He first had to get used to the ASG 29, that a friend has lent him for the competition, while his own Ventus 2Cx is being used by someone else. Most of his miles he flies in Europe and Australia. Thus his glider is normally stationed in Europe. Back home in Japan – he lives in Tokyo – he has a syndicate share in a LS8. So he is very familiar with most glider types. In the Ventus he enjoys the use of the flaps to set the speed, when racing to the next thermal.
Asked for his favorite gliding sites in Europe he mentions besides Lüsse, Lezno Poland. His first gliding coach came from Poland. And in the 1993 World Championship he flew a SZD. About Lüsse he likes the uncomplicated flying in a flat country with good chances for cloud streets forming on windy days and huge fields making outlandings easy. That's quite a different story in Japan. There, the gliding season is much shorter than here. The best months are January to May and September to October and average distances to be flown range between 300 and 400 kilometers due to an oftentimes low cloudbase.
Also wave flying is possible above the Japanese mountains, where altitudes up to 7000 meters can be reached. As one would expect, due to his Japanese modesty he fails to mention, that it was him, who flew the first 1000 kilometers distance in Japan in wave flight in a Nimbus 4 together with his copilot Inagaki.
stefan.maikowski[at]maikoal.de
He is certainly going to be a force to reckon with next year (especially if he is going to be flying a JS1???). But for the moment watch the results at Issoudun where he is flying next.
Sven
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Team flying - the family way
On the Lilienthal Glide the following was posted by Stephan Maikowski:
23.7.07 The Theisinger Family Always Up Front in the Racing Class
Specialist tell us, that team flying is the key to to winning. If the team consists of three family members, the success cannot be topped.
The brothers Georg and Martin Theisinger (LT and WT) have been flying together most successfully for the last 15 years and have participated in European and World Championships. For three years their nephew Florian (JT) has been part of the team. All three fly the ASW 27 from Schleicher, Georg in the B version.
On the very first day Georg came in second, and two of the three Theisingers have been among the first three ever since. Only Stefano Ghiorzo and Gilles Navas have managed to enter their ranks.
Yesterday, day six, wasn't one of their best days, because they only got into the first third of the scoring table. Fortunately, that didn't have any effect on their overall scores. The distance between Martin's score and that of his closest rival, Martin Büttner (DM), continues to be a good 120 points.
Their recipe for success apparently can't be copied easily. Normally they use close team flying and they say, that it begins even before take-off, in so far as they try to launch as close to the same time as possible. That also gives them a chance to enter their first thermal together. It only becomes difficult, when they are in the middle of a gaggles of sailplanes. There, it's not so easy to see the other team partners.
Another detail to observe is determining where to place the turning point within the Assigned Area in order to have the same distance ahead of them.
When one of the team members ends up far above the others, where it doesn't pay to wait, they continue their flight together as an info team, which means the first pilot passes on his knowledge about the whereabouts of good thermals. He also informs the others, where he made mistakes, so the don't repeat them.
Georges says, that usually the other team members close up on the first pilot within 30 to 50 kilometers making use of the information received over the radio. After that they continue to fly together.
Understandably, all three are thrilled about the championships in Lüsse. That's, what you would expect from somebody flying at the front of the table. Martin thinks that up to now all of the tasks have suited the weather very well. Also, he complements the perfect organization.
So far they haven't had to shake off any pursuers and haven't been bothered by sailplanes in gaggles.
Yesterday they were unlucky having left the gate too early, some seven minutes before most of their competitors. Those, flying in bigger groups may have had the advantage of finding thermals more easily as the clouds spread. At any rate the gaggle caught up with them on the first turning point.
They haven't got many opportunities to practice their team flying. This year they only have had three flights together starting at their home airfield in Landau. They concentrated on the mental preparation for the Nationals instead.
Back home Georg doesn't push his gliding as hard as on the competitions, where higher risks for an outlanding have to be taken. Thus he has managed never to go to the cows within the last thirty years. Quite a record, that is! Looks like he won't be a good client for gliders equipped with a turbo. In the 15m racing class this isn't a real alternative for a competition pilot, who wants to be able to get rid of his ballast, when necessary.
In spring Martin regularly flies in the French Alps in Barcelonette close to Gap. The three regularly meet in competitions, which doesn't leave them much time for OLC flying. It seems they have organized themselves very well. We'll see soon, if they will manage to keep their leading positions during the remaining days and will step on the winner's rostrum.
stefan.maikowski[at]maikoal.de "
A real demonstration of effective team flying!!!
Sven
23.7.07 The Theisinger Family Always Up Front in the Racing Class
Specialist tell us, that team flying is the key to to winning. If the team consists of three family members, the success cannot be topped.
The brothers Georg and Martin Theisinger (LT and WT) have been flying together most successfully for the last 15 years and have participated in European and World Championships. For three years their nephew Florian (JT) has been part of the team. All three fly the ASW 27 from Schleicher, Georg in the B version.
On the very first day Georg came in second, and two of the three Theisingers have been among the first three ever since. Only Stefano Ghiorzo and Gilles Navas have managed to enter their ranks.
Yesterday, day six, wasn't one of their best days, because they only got into the first third of the scoring table. Fortunately, that didn't have any effect on their overall scores. The distance between Martin's score and that of his closest rival, Martin Büttner (DM), continues to be a good 120 points.
Their recipe for success apparently can't be copied easily. Normally they use close team flying and they say, that it begins even before take-off, in so far as they try to launch as close to the same time as possible. That also gives them a chance to enter their first thermal together. It only becomes difficult, when they are in the middle of a gaggles of sailplanes. There, it's not so easy to see the other team partners.
Another detail to observe is determining where to place the turning point within the Assigned Area in order to have the same distance ahead of them.
When one of the team members ends up far above the others, where it doesn't pay to wait, they continue their flight together as an info team, which means the first pilot passes on his knowledge about the whereabouts of good thermals. He also informs the others, where he made mistakes, so the don't repeat them.
Georges says, that usually the other team members close up on the first pilot within 30 to 50 kilometers making use of the information received over the radio. After that they continue to fly together.
Understandably, all three are thrilled about the championships in Lüsse. That's, what you would expect from somebody flying at the front of the table. Martin thinks that up to now all of the tasks have suited the weather very well. Also, he complements the perfect organization.
So far they haven't had to shake off any pursuers and haven't been bothered by sailplanes in gaggles.
Yesterday they were unlucky having left the gate too early, some seven minutes before most of their competitors. Those, flying in bigger groups may have had the advantage of finding thermals more easily as the clouds spread. At any rate the gaggle caught up with them on the first turning point.
They haven't got many opportunities to practice their team flying. This year they only have had three flights together starting at their home airfield in Landau. They concentrated on the mental preparation for the Nationals instead.
Back home Georg doesn't push his gliding as hard as on the competitions, where higher risks for an outlanding have to be taken. Thus he has managed never to go to the cows within the last thirty years. Quite a record, that is! Looks like he won't be a good client for gliders equipped with a turbo. In the 15m racing class this isn't a real alternative for a competition pilot, who wants to be able to get rid of his ballast, when necessary.
In spring Martin regularly flies in the French Alps in Barcelonette close to Gap. The three regularly meet in competitions, which doesn't leave them much time for OLC flying. It seems they have organized themselves very well. We'll see soon, if they will manage to keep their leading positions during the remaining days and will step on the winner's rostrum.
stefan.maikowski[at]maikoal.de "
A real demonstration of effective team flying!!!
Sven
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
England
Of course you can go flying in the standard class nationals being held in England. This is posting from their news section late this afternoon
Tuesday 24th
15.45 Nine competitors now started. Seven still on task.
14.55 up to the present time four gliders have called start of which one has landed back, one has landed out and two remain on task.
A number of competitors have landed seeking a relight. Some have got away, so far that number is three at 14.20
13.20 Start line opened at 2500ft.
12.40 launching has started and the first competitors are airborne.
11.15 Decision made to stand down competition till 12.00noon
10.20 Briefing finished. Tasks today - Task A Wetherby, Blidworth, Colsterworth, Pocklington. Task B - Wetherby, Blidworth, Tuxford Power Station, Pocklington.Task A 301.8k Task B 229.4kFirst launch 11.30. Sky looking good so fingers crossed!!
09:00 Blue sky with early mist burned off. Gliders rigging, Task briefing 10am. 100% chance of a task today next update after briefing.
Monday 23rd14.10. The conditions have meant that the task has been scrubbed for today and we hope for a better days flying tomorrrow.Comp pilots stand down till 14.00
it is now the fourth day (and still day one) of their contest. Perhaps it explains why, when they get of their island, they are such good opponents for the rest of us ;-)
Sven
Tuesday 24th
15.45 Nine competitors now started. Seven still on task.
14.55 up to the present time four gliders have called start of which one has landed back, one has landed out and two remain on task.
A number of competitors have landed seeking a relight. Some have got away, so far that number is three at 14.20
13.20 Start line opened at 2500ft.
12.40 launching has started and the first competitors are airborne.
11.15 Decision made to stand down competition till 12.00noon
10.20 Briefing finished. Tasks today - Task A Wetherby, Blidworth, Colsterworth, Pocklington. Task B - Wetherby, Blidworth, Tuxford Power Station, Pocklington.Task A 301.8k Task B 229.4kFirst launch 11.30. Sky looking good so fingers crossed!!
09:00 Blue sky with early mist burned off. Gliders rigging, Task briefing 10am. 100% chance of a task today next update after briefing.
Monday 23rd14.10. The conditions have meant that the task has been scrubbed for today and we hope for a better days flying tomorrrow.Comp pilots stand down till 14.00
it is now the fourth day (and still day one) of their contest. Perhaps it explains why, when they get of their island, they are such good opponents for the rest of us ;-)
Sven
Monday, 23 July 2007
The Flying M Ranch
Lest you think from my scribblings that Rieti is now the only place (next to Worcester) to fly at, herewith two photographs Michael Sommer sent me from his last visit to the Flying M Ranch. Judging from the results at the pre-worlds being flown at Lusse at the moment http://www.wgc2008.de/TASKS-RESULTS.34.0.html?&L=1 he will be going back!!!
This is what he had to say:
"We had a great time on the ranch (.....)! Cloudbase was very high (airspace max in the US is 18000 ft but I believe on some days the cloudbase was at least 3000 ft
higher!) but it started very late and the it was mainly blue. But the scenery of Nevada, the ranch and Barron are great! Attached photo of Brunos eta taken from the balloon and wave made visible by a bush fire near Minden!
Now on the way to Germany for the Nationals/Pre Worlds in Luesse."
higher!) but it started very late and the it was mainly blue. But the scenery of Nevada, the ranch and Barron are great! Attached photo of Brunos eta taken from the balloon and wave made visible by a bush fire near Minden!
Now on the way to Germany for the Nationals/Pre Worlds in Luesse."
Where he is doing just fine!!!!
Sven
Friday, 20 July 2007
Rieti is only memories now, back at work
Back at work with only memories of flying at Rieti
Here are some photo's
MR PEPE
Hussain, Sven and Ottaviano
Does this not look like the ridge to Renosterhoek?
A long table on a Saturday night with the Italians
Climbing up against the ski-lift on Terminilo - how many gliders can you spot?
Here are some photo's
MR PEPE
Hussain, Sven and Ottaviano
Does this not look like the ridge to Renosterhoek?
A long table on a Saturday night with the Italians
Climbing up against the ski-lift on Terminilo - how many gliders can you spot?
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
The last day
I must confess that i did not look forward to the last day at all. It was going to be blue, hot and crowded. Particularly after the previous day i was happy to let sleeping dogs like. But once i was off tow (third on the grid) and climbing in 2 to 3m/s my whole perspective of life changed (it is wonderful what a strong thermal can do for one). So, despite my carefully planned tactics (see the previous post) i decided to do it by the book. Into the startgame gaggle!!!! keeping a beady eye on everyone and in particular who is setting of for the start line. Early on some leave but i wait - then i see two determined LS8's setting of that could only be the french or, unlikely, the brits (as they are past masters at out-waiting everyone - and, in any event the two Rebbeck brothers are teamflying with the kiwis'. In the first thermal i catch up with them and it is Laurent and Marc. We grow into a small band of four gliders, really flying of the front of the class and coming out of the first turn we can Y (Giorgio Ghalletto leading the big Italian pack into the turn (still 20 km away for them) . We meet the brits on their way in 10 km later. We continue on our merry way, catching up with the earliest starters and some gliders in other classes.
We go through the L'Aquila valley, but not quite onto the Grand Sasso. On its foothills we catch a good climb and a whole gaggle (mostly other classes) join below us. In our group is now also FUN (Alexander, my spanish nabour in Sweden) E2 Jelmer Wassenaar from Holland and KO from Finland. We push on towards Castellucio when i hear 2A, Ben Flewett, calling to say that he is in real trouble in a valley and his only landing option is a lake. I have never expected to hear Ben in a panic, and perhaps he wasn't, but he was certainly rattled. Chaps, he says, there are boats down there, so there are people who will be able to pick me up. The tension is palpable in the air and no-one says a word, just Ben reporting on his intentions - echoing the real trouble he finds himself. It is amazing (and it should not be) how quickly your world can turn topsy turvy in a glider.
What seems like ages - "Chaps you won't believe this, but i have found a thermal" He continues reporting, saying progressively that he can make it out of the valley, then that he is climbing away and finally that he is OK, but turning the radio off.
Apparently he could see the swirl of the thermal as he was setting the landing up and made it out of the valley from just 82m of the water!!! It was only on final glide that he realised that his wheel was still down (some 200km later)!!!
Ben was not the only one to come unstuck - Bruce Taylor who had been flying a flawless contest up to that moment outlanded at the second turnpoint. To demonstrate the lucklessness of that landing - the two Rebbecks corked a 5m/s plus thermal at the second turn, - which they gracefully took - and it sealed the day's victory for them.
In the meanwhile our happy group spread a tiny bit - with french duo slightly ahead. I did not get the good climb i knew the Rebbecks had and just pushed onto the Valle Nerina - or as the Ozzies and Kiwis call it the valley of death. 2000ft below glide i am tucked onto the slopes of Nerina with a tiny glider ahead and below me (10km ahead) at 10km out i overtake him, only slightl higher, but i dare say a lot faster (water does help) and go on the finish the day in 11th place (just behind the french).
Finally a real contest day, flown in good standard class tradition, and in the company of some real tough pilots.
3G
POST SCRIPT
Perhaps i should have flown the whole contest as i did the last day, or perhaps i should have been in a multi-national team, but i sincerely believe that it is important to go out there, and fly by yourself. next year will be wholly different, in order to do well, you have to fly in the gaggle (especially on blue days in Rieti, as Leonardo himself, has admonished me after the second last day - he pointedly asked me what mistakes i made. The first and the biggest, i responded, was not to fly in the gaggle. "Obviuosly", he responded.
It was one of the most wonderful experiences imaginable to fly from Rieti. I have flown all the major mountians, (save for the Maila), even though we had only one real ridge day. On that day i had a really fast leg down to San Biaggio so i am really looking forward to returning here (selection permitting of course). The skills Martin had taught me will stand me in good stead ;-)
I end of with a picture taken the Saturday night at a farm restaurant, attended by mostly Italian and Austrian pilots and their supporters.
We go through the L'Aquila valley, but not quite onto the Grand Sasso. On its foothills we catch a good climb and a whole gaggle (mostly other classes) join below us. In our group is now also FUN (Alexander, my spanish nabour in Sweden) E2 Jelmer Wassenaar from Holland and KO from Finland. We push on towards Castellucio when i hear 2A, Ben Flewett, calling to say that he is in real trouble in a valley and his only landing option is a lake. I have never expected to hear Ben in a panic, and perhaps he wasn't, but he was certainly rattled. Chaps, he says, there are boats down there, so there are people who will be able to pick me up. The tension is palpable in the air and no-one says a word, just Ben reporting on his intentions - echoing the real trouble he finds himself. It is amazing (and it should not be) how quickly your world can turn topsy turvy in a glider.
What seems like ages - "Chaps you won't believe this, but i have found a thermal" He continues reporting, saying progressively that he can make it out of the valley, then that he is climbing away and finally that he is OK, but turning the radio off.
Apparently he could see the swirl of the thermal as he was setting the landing up and made it out of the valley from just 82m of the water!!! It was only on final glide that he realised that his wheel was still down (some 200km later)!!!
Ben was not the only one to come unstuck - Bruce Taylor who had been flying a flawless contest up to that moment outlanded at the second turnpoint. To demonstrate the lucklessness of that landing - the two Rebbecks corked a 5m/s plus thermal at the second turn, - which they gracefully took - and it sealed the day's victory for them.
In the meanwhile our happy group spread a tiny bit - with french duo slightly ahead. I did not get the good climb i knew the Rebbecks had and just pushed onto the Valle Nerina - or as the Ozzies and Kiwis call it the valley of death. 2000ft below glide i am tucked onto the slopes of Nerina with a tiny glider ahead and below me (10km ahead) at 10km out i overtake him, only slightl higher, but i dare say a lot faster (water does help) and go on the finish the day in 11th place (just behind the french).
Finally a real contest day, flown in good standard class tradition, and in the company of some real tough pilots.
3G
POST SCRIPT
Perhaps i should have flown the whole contest as i did the last day, or perhaps i should have been in a multi-national team, but i sincerely believe that it is important to go out there, and fly by yourself. next year will be wholly different, in order to do well, you have to fly in the gaggle (especially on blue days in Rieti, as Leonardo himself, has admonished me after the second last day - he pointedly asked me what mistakes i made. The first and the biggest, i responded, was not to fly in the gaggle. "Obviuosly", he responded.
It was one of the most wonderful experiences imaginable to fly from Rieti. I have flown all the major mountians, (save for the Maila), even though we had only one real ridge day. On that day i had a really fast leg down to San Biaggio so i am really looking forward to returning here (selection permitting of course). The skills Martin had taught me will stand me in good stead ;-)
I end of with a picture taken the Saturday night at a farm restaurant, attended by mostly Italian and Austrian pilots and their supporters.
Sunday, 15 July 2007
a hard days night
I have a friend who famously said "I don't do that thing", well i don' t do outlandings (at least not yesterday). But it really takes hard work to fly slow - first you have to make the conscious decision not to fly with the gaggle (on a blue day, nogal), and second, you have to decide to go down the l'Aquila valley (and not the traditional mount Velino way) - then you have to ridge soar in a seabreeze to get to a turnpoint at 2100m height - by then you have given up 60 km on the main gaggle and you are set for a lonely long flight and a late return to rieti with a final glide starting 90 km out at 2000ft below glide at a zero macready - but it is really nice to see Casteluccio - at the foot of mount Vettore - nesstling in the valley with paragliders and hanggliders.
This is doing Rieti the hard way - most of the pilots here have many hundreds and in most cases thousands of hours flying from here, those who do not, have been here on training courses. There is also a lot of team flying going on - you can see that from just looking at the start times, but also from the big silences on the only official radio channel. Some pilots also get special post briefing briefings. I believe i am doing it the right way though, you have to really understand how this site works and the only way for me is to work my way through it.
Today is the last day and it looks blue - i would guess at least another 400km (unbelievable the amount of flying done here in the last two weeks,.
Once again thanks for all the support,
3G
This is doing Rieti the hard way - most of the pilots here have many hundreds and in most cases thousands of hours flying from here, those who do not, have been here on training courses. There is also a lot of team flying going on - you can see that from just looking at the start times, but also from the big silences on the only official radio channel. Some pilots also get special post briefing briefings. I believe i am doing it the right way though, you have to really understand how this site works and the only way for me is to work my way through it.
Today is the last day and it looks blue - i would guess at least another 400km (unbelievable the amount of flying done here in the last two weeks,.
Once again thanks for all the support,
3G
Saturday, 14 July 2007
A brief personal account of yesterday
Thanks for all the support from back home.
Yesterday i set off on grand style with the French duo, and we were having a smashing run down to Monte Velino, when my 302 switched off , nothing to it, i switch it back on BUT everything was a bit lopsided and clearly the vario was u/s running into the first turn i lose all satelites OUCH - down the second leg SANS vario it is difficult to climb back up to cloudbase to get back onto the mountains (but i find a strong climb) and i have a good run over the L'Aquila valley with french low down (they later tell me) but running into the blue it is really tough without a vario and then the satellites quit again as i run into the second turn - now i also without a final glide calculator and the Valnerina lies ahead - not a glide you really want to do without a final glide calculator. i make it back. they stitch my two logfiles together and i live for another day. It was only the 13th!!! (and i move up to 14th spot)
3G
Thanks for all the support from back home.
Yesterday i set off on grand style with the French duo, and we were having a smashing run down to Monte Velino, when my 302 switched off , nothing to it, i switch it back on BUT everything was a bit lopsided and clearly the vario was u/s running into the first turn i lose all satelites OUCH - down the second leg SANS vario it is difficult to climb back up to cloudbase to get back onto the mountains (but i find a strong climb) and i have a good run over the L'Aquila valley with french low down (they later tell me) but running into the blue it is really tough without a vario and then the satellites quit again as i run into the second turn - now i also without a final glide calculator and the Valnerina lies ahead - not a glide you really want to do without a final glide calculator. i make it back. they stitch my two logfiles together and i live for another day. It was only the 13th!!! (and i move up to 14th spot)
3G
Friday, 13 July 2007
Friday
Today will be day 5 and it looks blue, but going to 3000m and 2,5 - 3,0m/s. I would expect some cloud in the seabreeze and convergences to the west.
Yesterday i had my best day yet (850pts) and i feel quite good about it. It is a tough comp, yesterday Heinz Hammerle - a very experienced Rieti pilot was amongs those to outland - we had quite a lot of spread out in the task area and the second last turnpoint, Castellucio, is in a valley locked in by mountains (and at the foot of mount Vettore - one of the famous ridges here - yesterday, in the northerly it did not work - as did none of the other ridges - but we knew that at take off.
It is a really amazing experience to fly here.
I am sorry i don't post more, but i still have my hands full (despite being assisted by my crew Hussain and the owner of 3G, Ottaviano - who, by the way, is a real count). It is not many persons in gliding who can claim to be assisted by royalty - i think the Brits must be green with envy (and i did manage to beat one of them yesterday).
regards for now
Sven
3G
Yesterday i had my best day yet (850pts) and i feel quite good about it. It is a tough comp, yesterday Heinz Hammerle - a very experienced Rieti pilot was amongs those to outland - we had quite a lot of spread out in the task area and the second last turnpoint, Castellucio, is in a valley locked in by mountains (and at the foot of mount Vettore - one of the famous ridges here - yesterday, in the northerly it did not work - as did none of the other ridges - but we knew that at take off.
It is a really amazing experience to fly here.
I am sorry i don't post more, but i still have my hands full (despite being assisted by my crew Hussain and the owner of 3G, Ottaviano - who, by the way, is a real count). It is not many persons in gliding who can claim to be assisted by royalty - i think the Brits must be green with envy (and i did manage to beat one of them yesterday).
regards for now
Sven
3G
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Today (Saturday, 7 July) does not look like a lot of flying is going to happen. It is a typical inverted day at Worcester, with not a breath of air. But 3G is on the grid and Hussain, my trusty crew is near. So we wait. And it may stay like this for a few days. So I take half and hour to write down some thoughts.
The first night I spent at the home (rather the castle) of Ottaviano Incisa de la Rochetta, the owner of 3G. I stayed in the annexe in.
And next to it is a picture of the main house.
A village from 1614 (older than Cape Town)
We stay over in Arrezzo, after having stopped for coffee, but I get to sort out a few things in 3G
We are gathered in the forecourt of a very nice B&B in the middle of Tuscany
And I also get some very good flying tips from Johnny (a well know Italian contest pilot and now team captain for Italy)
Johnny’s trophy cabinet
Ottaviano and I have dinner at an Italian restaurant
I have flown more than 1000km in my three flights and it is great, but also really challenging.
We are launching
Ciao for now.
3G
The first night I spent at the home (rather the castle) of Ottaviano Incisa de la Rochetta, the owner of 3G. I stayed in the annexe in.
And next to it is a picture of the main house.
A village from 1614 (older than Cape Town)
We stay over in Arrezzo, after having stopped for coffee, but I get to sort out a few things in 3G
We are gathered in the forecourt of a very nice B&B in the middle of Tuscany
And I also get some very good flying tips from Johnny (a well know Italian contest pilot and now team captain for Italy)
Johnny’s trophy cabinet
Ottaviano and I have dinner at an Italian restaurant
I have flown more than 1000km in my three flights and it is great, but also really challenging.
We are launching
Ciao for now.
3G
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Monte Vellino
It is unbelievable to be here in Rieti, and i could write a book about every day since i have landed. Yesterday i had my first flight (in fact two, due to an instrument failure), so it was only after 16hoo that i set for my southern turnpoint Avezzano - below is the picture approaching Monte Vellino, a famous ridge to the NE of Avezzano!!!!
I will try to give a more complete account later if we don't fly (today does not look very inspiring.)
3G
It is unbelievable to be here in Rieti, and i could write a book about every day since i have landed. Yesterday i had my first flight (in fact two, due to an instrument failure), so it was only after 16hoo that i set for my southern turnpoint Avezzano - below is the picture approaching Monte Vellino, a famous ridge to the NE of Avezzano!!!!
I will try to give a more complete account later if we don't fly (today does not look very inspiring.)
3G
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