2024 WGC Uvalde
Last Morning Report
Closing Ceremony
The 2024 World Gliding Championship is now complete. The trailer parking area is being turned back to the gophers and rabbits. Just maybe the grass will grow back a little before we return (hear that Mark). But before that happens, let me tell you about the closing ceremonies.
The ring of flags was the centerpiece of the event. The Director of Championships, Mr. Eric Mozer, thanked all the volunteers and singled out several. Sherman Griffith is the individual that sits in the background but makes everything happen. They called him the Swiss army knife of the competition. Whatever needed done, Sherman figured it out and made it happen. He must have conducted about 1,000 Zoom calls to take care of all the Team Captains. Mark Huffstutler is Mr. Uvalde. He has been running contests out of Uvalde for the last 40 years, including 3 World Gliding Championships. Every contest was run professionally, maintaining the highest standards of the FAI and the Soaring Society of America. He also organized all the dinners, events and the fantastic rest day at the Ox Bow Ranch. Where else can you shoot a tank gun on a rest day. Now let’s get to the presentation of certificates and medals.
In the Open Class, here is the final standings and their scores:
6. Jim Lee USA 10,182
5. François Jeremiasse Netherlands 10,331
4. Sylvain Gerbaud France 10,402
3. Laurent Aboulin France 10,485
2. Michael Sommer Germany 10,782
1. Felipe Levin Germany 10,887
In the 20 Meter Multi Seat Class, here are the final standings:
6. Borgmann & Van Houweninge Netherlands 9,212
5. Bouderlique & de Péchy France 9,417
4. Woolley & Gateley Australia 9,484
3. Lutz & Janowitsch Austria 9,499
2. Rubaj & Matkowski Poland 9,552
1. Arnold & Striedieck USA 9,616
In the 18 Meter Class, here are the final standings:
6. Sjaak Selen Netherlands 9,234
5. Matthew Scutter Australian 9,408
4. Jeroen Verkuijl Netherlands 9,431
3. Christophe Abadie France 9,592
2. Simon Schröder Germany 9,636
1. Stefan Langer Germany 9,843
This is the best finish by the US Team in memory. There are a couple of notable thoughts, this is the first time since George Moffat that we have had a multiple World Champion winner (Sarah Arnold). The US has not had this many pilots recognized during the ceremonies for as long as anyone remembers. Some comments from John Good, a long time US Team member, are right on topic “We have two World Champions! At the 38th World Gliding Championship, Karl and Sarah today prevailed in the 20-Meter Multiseat class. They are the first US champions in an “unrestricted entry” World Gliding Championship since Doug Jacob’s 1985 victory in Rieti, Italy (37 years ago). Sarah is the first woman from any country ever to win at this level. Karl, at 87, is far and away the oldest-ever soaring world champion.”
The Goran Ax Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the pilot who achieves the highest accumulated marking distance in the Open Class during the entire World Gliding Championship. This award was presented to Felipe Levin from the Frech Team. The Robert-Kronfeld – Challenge Cup is presented to the pilot flying the World Gliding Championship in the Open, 18m or 20m classes that have flown the longest marking distance flight during the Championship regardless of the type of task. This award was presented to Jim Lee from the US Team. Congratulations to these fine aviators.
The last thing I want to acknowledge is the tow pilots and ground launch crew. Rex Mays and Dave Coggins and their crews safely launched all the gliders without incident or injury. That was especially difficult due to the extreme temperatures during the contest. The tow pilots operated in this heat without the benefit of getting in the cooler temps at altitude. Here are the tow pilots that enabled this championship:
Jason Arnold Chilhowee Gliderport
Scott Smith Texas Soaring Association
Mike Hostage Private ship
Gary Evans Private ship
Marc Augustine Fault Line Flyers
Rich Schaefer Fault Line Flyers (shared towing duties)
Jayne Reid Bermuda High Soaring
Phileippe Heer Greater Houston Soaring
Manolo Guzman Greater Houston Soaring (shared towing duties)
Neil Muxworthy Private ship
Conrad Huffstutler Wild Warbirds
Thanks to all the volunteers, staff and FAI personnel that made this a great World Gliding Championship! See you in the next WGC in the Czeck Republic.
Cheers,
Rich Owen
Media Team
