A review of the 2008 SA State Comps reveals the following information: 11 entrants, ranging from Australian National pilots to first comp pilots, in sailplanes ranging from Single Astirs to AS G29. The weather also co-operated, with five of the seven days providing suitable conditions for climbs to above 10,000 and some reasonable tasks.

The overall Comp Results show David Pietsch in his AS W20 was third, Haidyn Dunn in his Pik20 was second and the comp was won by Graham Parker in his AS G29. Our congratulations to the winners and all the other competition pilots for a fun week of competition flying, and to all the non-competiton pilots who also flew from Waikerie during the week.

WGC pilot Peter Paine was awarded the “Most Meritorious” trophy for his effort – his first competition. Peter was suitably surprised to receive the award. Well done Peter.

An “Aussie Night” was held to wind-up the State comps. The group of Japanese members here provided a “Japanese Night” earlier in the week, complete with Sake, and this was in reciprocation. With skewered prawns on the BBQ, BBQ Lamb and roast vegetables followed by Pavlova provided the basis for a great wind-up night.

We now move into Coaching Week – with entries for this event from across the country. Its great to have Ingo Renner here as Guest Coach, together with a number of the SA Region Coaches under the leadership of Bernard Eckey.

Its also great to have Harry and Wendy Medlicott here to fly for a period.

Lets hope for another week of great conditions.

John Hudson

The scores have been finalised: congrats Graham Parker. There are more detailed scores and some photos from the comp.

Peter Paine won the David Bond trophy for showing the greatest determination and most meritorious effort. It was his first comp and he was mixing it with some pretty experienced comp pilots.

The task set was Start – Lindsay River – Morgan – Alawoona – Waikerie Finish

10,000′ with Cu – although a little scrappy.  Conditions deteriorated near the first turn (Lindsay River).  Could see the trough line to the west probably over the hills. Climbs were variable and narrow.

Cath

I arrived on New Years day to do three days towing and then fly during Performance week. A hotter worn out bunch of glider pilots I have never seen before. Day after day of over 40 degrees and lift going to 14,000 feet – Could not have been the vast distances or the cool air under the Q. Was it lack of oxygen as I understand a few cylinders may have run out of that vital brain lubricant. I think it was the heat and how difficult it is for most of us to re-hydrate particularly when we are not conditioned to drinking litres of water. Add barley, hops, and yeast put it in a small bottle in the fridge and it is not a problem.
Most of the competition pilots had an enforced rest day on Wednesday 2nd but our Japanese members, instructors Peter Robinson and Phil had 22 launches for a rest day and then we did another 10 launches yesterday on the cancelled days flying. David in ZZ and Graham in TF had a great time going around the task pair flying. Phil stayed up for a little over an hour and then tried to convince Peter Paine in HP to spend the rest of the day looking at the Cricket. Peter preferred to practice all day approaching tree lines by flying into wind at the right angle corner of the scrub areas and turning and turning in lift every time. I just completed another 16 launches today as the comp resumed with a 3 hour 401 kilometre task Lindsay River, Morgan, Allawoona, WKI. Few Q around late in the day and heights I would say in the order of 10,000 feet. Heading off now for an Aussie night with the Japanese visitors, whole Lamb on a spit.
Jet

The task was called off at 1500. There were a couple of gliders up I think and the ones arriving for next week’s flying. It didn’t seem to be going much above 3000 with weak thermals.

Bernard Eckey has just landed.

Ann Woolf

Today there will be a short task. It’s a bit windy with wind  increasing but there will be a lot of air to heat up before it  triggers. 5000′ expected. Tug flew a trace this morning.

So late start and wind increasing = short task

Cath

Day 4 was another “hot and high” day, maybe not quite as great as Day 3 but Graham Parker still averaged 121 km/hr. The task was: Start – Meringur – Maggea – Renmark – Waikerie Finish. Scores are here.

No task was set for 2/1/2008. With the cooler SW change that came through last night, the thermals would be low and weak, so it’s an opportunity for a rest day. Some instructional flights are happening, though.

Pete S

The last day of 2007 is one which will be remembered by several pilots flying in the SA State Comps at Waikerie.

A 3 hour AAT task, Waikerie – Morkala Repeater (60 km circle), Alawoona (20 km circle) – Peebinga (50 km circle) – Waikerie was set, with a forecast of high climbs under Cu.

3 days of competition, all with > 10,000 Ft climbs with >10 Knots climb providing some excellent conditions with good speeds.

Peter Paine flew another 300 Km. Keith Willis flew the PW-5 to Bordertown and back (possibly another PW-5 record) before undertaking some local flying late in the day – in good conditions – just to keep his average up.

John Hudson

The year ends with one of the best days I can remember for a long time. Cu’s at 14,000 ft and 10 kts on the averager.

The task for day 3 was Waikerie – Repeater (60 km radius) – Alawoona (20km) – Peebinga (50km) – Waikerie. AAT with a 3 hour time.

There were Cu’s all along the task, so my strategy was simply to fly 100kts from cloud to cloud and find the best climbs I could. The previous day my thermal average was low; only 4.7 kts for the task. Today my aim was to improve my average significantly. I managed 5.7 kts so there is still a lot of room for improvement. But even still I managed over 130 kph for the day. 137 kph of the stick.

Graham Parker and Cath and Dave Conway achieved over 160 kph of the stick. Obviously a very significant day.

I had the most amazing final glide. 110 kms from Peebinga at rough air max of 108 kts all the way back. And I couldn’t keep it under the final glide; there was just so much lift on the way back. So fast for so long!

Day 3 of the comp and we have had 3 days over 10,000 ft. Just amazing!

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!

Craig Vinall

Sunday 30^th December 2007 was forecast another hot day in the Riverland - and seemingly most other parts of South Australia. A temp trace flight revealed a low level inversion requiring temperatures into the high 30s to break, but with the possibility of another good day. A 3 hour AAT task – Waikerie, Lake Culleraine (50 km circle)- Alawoona (30 km circle) and return to Waikerie was set, with the first launch scheduled for 1300 Hrs.

A high cirrus cover slowed heating, with the first comp launch delayed until 1417 Hrs. The task time was reduced to 2.5 hours. Again there was some high climbs – with several reports of 13,000- 14,000 feet. Keith Willis had a lay-day – caught up on some sleep.Peter Paine flew nearly another 300Km.Dion Baker in the 40 year old Diamant GUV achieved his Gold C height and again went touring. Kim Zeppel from the Renmark Club had his first flight in a fibre-glass machine. It was another good day – but hot for those on the ground. John Hudson