Latest news June 7, 2006 At 12.20 day 3 was cancelled ! 12.25 The day has just been cancelled.At 11.25 Saka ordered all tuggies to jump in their tugs and 5 minutes later we had the first launch. Both 18 and 15 m. classes were launched and all gliders dumped their water during the launch. They were towed up to milky looking overcast, though great looking clouds were just about 20 km. S. and SE. from us.
The start for st. class and open class was hold , but at 12.20 Robert announced that the start line would NOT OPEN for 18 and 15 m. class and that the day was cancelled for all classes. Straight away some gliders "finished",to land at the field.
A pity but they tried! Who wanted to fly , could fly!
"It would be not good and safe to let so many pilots fly on track and scratch around at 500/600 m. " according to the organizers. Good decision!
To the E. of the field we could see great looking lenties, [ see picture] but that is over forbidden airspace.
All crews are busy again to bring their gliders back to their parking spot. Open class crews are waiting patiently as their gliders are on the back of the field and more or less locked in. Still gliders coming in and landing according to the rules.
13.30> At 1.30 TC's received a message to check all gliders in their team as an ELT had gone off. Most probably false alarm, but you have to check it and that is done properly and seriously.
A few gliders in 18 m. class are flying the task "for fun/practise " and I just heard that glider XT , rounded his first turn point.
At nearly 2 o' clock more gliders arrrived back after a short flight.
15.00 XT with Dutch pilot Roland Termaat,just arrived back at the field. He got into wave at the start and reached 1600 m. went on track and had in the good weather area climbs of 3m/s going up to 2100 m. He flew together with glider MO. Both made it back home and finished the task, but Ronald agreed that atleast not for all 116 of them, it would have been possible to fly the tasks. So the organizers ,as said already, made the right decision. That's for sure!
16.00 It is overcast here now, not too cold, a bit dark and pretty empty , though stewards walk ....and drive around in their sponsored VOLVO , busy as ever. Ofcourse organizers seem busy too, or "look atleast busy"!
Others enjoy their afternoon off, going shopping, visiting the ZOO or Stockholm.
Some stayed in gliding mood and looked at the wonderfull video of the Grand Prix in New Zealand, which was showed in the restaurant area. Amazing, I had a look for a while too!!
Anyhow it is raining now [17.00] , so time for a little rest.
Tonight, don't forget ;Lecture in the briefing room ;" Designing the Concordia". It is at 8 o'clock.
No "Evening Shift " tonight! Sorry, but there is not so much to say. A demain!
