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Latest news
June 3, 2006
Low profile, high standard opening!
16.30 Sorry I am a bit late ,but a lot has happened and the reception for the organizers ,jury members, stewards , team captains and ALL world champions present here, is still going on.
At 2 sharp ,the opening started with music from the Eskilstuna Youth Band.When they played YMCA and Oh when the Saints....most pilots and crew were dancing on the music and little kids on daddy's shoulders were swinging too. Very pleasant.
The FAI flag was brought in at 14.20 in front of the little hill, where all competitors and crews were standing. The parachutist hanging on a blue and yellow parachute - Swedish colours of course-with the name Bond [not James!] and experienced with 2000 jumps ,did a real good job.It took a bit longer then expected before he arrived and they joked already that due to the great clouds he "might have been sucked up too high."
With the flag risen at 14.40 "the real stuff " started.When the Swedish National Hymn was played some ,like me ,had tears in their eyes as the start of such a competition really means something to us gliding fans.A lot can happen in 2 weeks and after that we know who were lucky, unlucky and who are the loosers and more important the WINNERS. That's why we gather here. In a fair "play" we want to see who are the best in each 4 classes.
Robert spoke short and powerfull ,welcoming all of us. " When you are a good pilot, in a good glider on the right place on the right time and we hope the place and time are good, you might win". At least that is what it is all about!
The female mayor welcomed everybody from the world too, inviting us to visit art galleries ,the Zoo and the beautiful surroundings.
Roland Stuck, jury member here ,represented the IGC/FAI and said: " We came here as friends and to foster friendship, so compete fairly and we can remain friends, be professionel and fly safely!" I can only agree with him!!He opened the competition.
Indeed ,in 40 minutes the opening was over and people were allowed to walk freely ,as long as they would not enter the strip ,as demonstrations would be flown there. That was great fun.
First an airshow from vintage planes. The Grunau Baby was towed up by the oldest Tiger Moth here in Sweden, restored in 1998. Then the Slingsby behind a Pawnee and then a modern glider; theASH 25 from the club here, which seems to be the biggest club in Sweden. Then last but not least the SG 38 towed up by an old fieldcar , which drove with huge speed over the strip.
After that really spectecular performances of model planes! Magic!Then... A powered parachute , with a pilot sitting under it and some kind of engine behind him.We were lucky that we did not have the wind from yesterday ,so we could see some James- Bond- like- flying.
All in all a very pleasant afternoon, no stress only relaxing and we started to be one huge family already.
Patrick Pauwels from ICG arrived in the afternoon and some more friends have arrived.P.E Gretha Musters, wife of former World champion in Hobs ,Kees Musters and her partner longtime OSTIV member for The Netherlands Eric de Boer. Also good friend Teresa Toivonen and her son Michael, both helping the organization.
Including a delegation of 7 Chinese glider pilots/instructors. They are here to look how to organize a competition on World level ,as they are interested in doing so. It is great to see the interest of Chinese friends. They said ,they had great conditions at home, were a bit struggling with the airspace ,but working on that. We wish them a good time here.Will be back one more time with the evening shift. And...it is great to see how many visitors we have reading our site. Keep reading. The " meet and greet "will be ready tomorrow.
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