Competition Day 2

All US Team Pilots are airborne.  The Open Class and 18 Meter start lines are open.  The 15 Meter Class opens at 1426.

Weatherman Dan Gudgel stated that due to a low pressure gradient across the Uvalde Task Area, he expects little influence from the sea breeze front.  He estimates the sea breeze winds will reach Cotulla (town 60 miles southeast of Uvalde), at about 7pm this evening.

This was a difficult weather day.  The convective activity that began along the Texas coastline blew up over San Antonio resulting in a gust front that effectively killed lift in the northeast quadrant of the task area.  Unfortunately, all three classes had their final turn points located in that quadrant.

Gary Ittner, John Seaborn and Dick Butler landed out at airports.  All pilots and sailplanes are fine.  Ron Tabery extended his engine near the last turn point and motored to Uvalde.  Bill Elliott finished and, at first glance, has 750 points for the day.  Down to 1,000 feet and 28 kilometers from home, Dave Leonard found a half knot thermal, slowly drifted with it toward Uvalde, and finally had enough altitude to make it.

There are twelve contest days remaining.

Contest Day 1

The launch is underway.  Four US Team Pilots have reported up on Team frequency.  Weather building southeast of Uvalde is a concern this afternoon.

Parade and Opening Ceremony

The 32nd FAI World Gliding Championship opens today. In less than an hour, the US Soaring Team will join the national teams from twenty-three other countries in a parade through Uvalde to the Opening Ceremony.

7th and Final Official Practice Day

We are happy to add and welcome Christian Streifeneder to the US Team as additional crew for Dick Butler.  DB and crew are busy today further prepping Concordia for the beginning of competition on Sunday.  John Seaborn, Dave Leonard, Bill Elliott, Gary Ittner and Ron Tabery will all be flying today.


Last evening, a lovely breeze arrived at the airport during the combined Team Austria/Team Germany party.  The party was a great one and made even nicer by this "sea breeze front".  Although we're still under dry conditions and high pressure, Dan Gudgel forecasts a return to more "Uvalde-like" conditions by Sunday as moisture from the sea breeze flows into the contest area.  


The launch is about to begin!   

Landings...

Dave Leonard landed back in Uvalde, Ron Tabery is on left base for the 15 taxiway in Uvalde and Gary Ittner landed out.  Gary and his sailplane are fine and his crew is on the way to retrieve him now.

Official Practice Day 6

Nice, cool 78 f. morning here today.  The expected high is 103.


Dave Leonard, Gary Ittner and Ron Tabery will be the US Team Pilots flying today.  John Seaborn and Bill Elliott are on rest days and Dick Butler is doing some minor work on Concordia in a hot hangar with crewman, Rick Sheppe.


Chief Meteorologist, Dan Gudgel, briefed that the contest area underlies a dome of high pressure that will limit climbs to 8-9000' above the ground.  He also stated that the satellite water vapor loop shows a "dry slot" over Uvalde so the day should be cloudless.  I just stepped outside...not a cloud in the sky.


Today's launch began at 1350.  Tabery (SS) started at 1447, Ittner (P7) at 1450.  The 15M start line is open and Leonard (ZL) is getting into position to start.