As the crews, families and friends were anxiously waiting for the pilots to return, it looked like something out of “Masters of the Air” when the B-17’s were returning. Only we knew exactly where everyone was due to the hard work of the contest staff. We have several people we should thank who constructed and deployed all the OGN stations to make this contest more exciting. Being able to view all the aircraft, except maybe 1 or 2, makes a big difference in safety and peace of mind for us on the ground. However, we have plenty of time latter to name everyone who helped make this contest happen.
Watching the tasks on 3 different viewers over the period of the flights, I did not find one that answered all my questions. I still like Pure Track, but I think that is more a personal preference. Best thing is, try all of them and switch between them. Thank you to Ken Sorenson for providing the links so we can have tasks uploaded to glidertracker.org.
After a long wait to launch the grid due to the slow start of the day, the ships were getting into the air significantly later than was optimum. This is the Worlds and tasks are harder, acceptable weather conditions are broader and long days are typical. It was not a question of when to start, it was more the location and altitude of the start when the gate was open. Everyone knew the task was going to take you right up to sunset and getting down track as soon as possible was very important.
The 18 Meter class were the last to start and most of the top half of the group flew on very similar tracks. Everyone favored going a little further into the first circle, most went to the nominal distance before turning. The next three areas were entered around the minimum distance point. A few pilots had to take weaker climbs at the end just to make it home. It was not uncommon to see speeds on final glide drop below what we have seen earlier in the week. Also, landing times were in the 20 minutes before sunset range so achieving final glide early was important. Getting low around 30 minutes before sunset almost assuredly resulted in an engine start or landout. Looking at the score sheet, it appears 4 pilots ran their motors. We will find out for sure tomorrow.
In third place for the day was Christophe Abadle (France), second was Radek Krejcirik (Czechia) and in first place with a speed of 128.12kph (79.54mph) over the 506km (314mi) task was Simon Schroder (Germany). Well done!
The Open Class on the other hand were the first class to go on task. Again, everyone left early after the gate opened. Most of the class found themselves below 600m (2,000ft AGL) in the northern section of the task area. Climbs averaged in the 2m/s (4 kt) range over most of the task area until the last 2 legs. In third place was Michael Sommer (Germany), second was claimed by Peter Szabo (Hungary) and winning the day was Felipe Levin (Germany) with a speed of 129.46kph (80mph) over the 528km (328mi) task distance.
The 20 Meter class seemed to take the biggest hit on the scoresheet with 6 gliders starting their motors. I am just guessing about this, since I am solely looking at the score sheet. These ships all landed within 15 to 30 minutes of sunset. Looking at the flights in progress this afternoon, it appeared there was a big gaggle over a larger area that had very similar tracks. Seems like going a little deeper in the hill country turn areas paid off since the low country to the south had weaker climbs. Taking third place for the day was Bouderlique & de Pechy, with Karl Striedieck and Sarah Arnold in second place. Go Team USA! Winning the day was Adam Woolley and Gately (Australia) with a speed of 111.77kph (69mph) over a task of 448.44km (278mi). Coming home from the south, late in the day, with weak climbs, hurt the 20 Meter pilots. It was always just one more climb and they would have all made it home. Congratulations to AXO and all the pilots who flew today. It was a very difficult day, but everyone was safe back in Uvalde at the end of the day. It was unique to have all the cars leaving the airfield in the dark after a very quick securing of all the ships.
Tomorrow will be another day, and the weather should be stronger and the achieved heights higher than today. There are still many days left in these Worlds. Some of the leaders have gambled on getting a climb at the right time, and so far, it has paid off. Until then, stay safe and pet your dog tonight. Today was National Dog Day in the US.
Good night,
Rich Owen
Media Team
