This year’s Glider Nationals were held a Lasham for the first time.  It seemed a natural choice given the magnificent facilities and growing level of aerobatic activity there.  Our previous three glider ‘Get into Aeros’ events, held successfully at Lasham, gave us encouragement to consider this venue to be viable.  In the event things could not have worked out better for us.  Lasham gave us sole use of the south east sector of the airfield and all other club flights were kept north of the runway.  This was a big ask of the cross country pilots who make up the majority at the club and our thanks and appreciation go out to them and the club management who made our competition possible.

As for the event itself, there was a relatively low turn out of nine competitors but this disappointment was offset by the fact that seven of the pilots were competing at the top levels.  For the first time in many years we had a full compliment of home grown pilots at Unlimited, which bodes well for our future involvement in World Championships.  We also now have enough pilots to field a serious team at Advanced.

We welcomed Eric Lentz-Gauthier from America who had previously helped us with some Unlimited coaching.  Joining him were Joel and Carl, both flying in their first Unlimited comp.  Congratulations to Will, now the National Champion, who won this class flying Unlimited for only the second time and beating Eric - who is not unfamiliar with the podium at World Championships!

At Advanced we had Dave Gethin alongside Dan and Szymon, both flying at this level for the first time.  Congratulations to Dave, now the National Champion at Advanced, and commiserations to both Dan and Szymon who both flew very well but made small directional mistakes which cost them dear.

We had only one competitor at Intermediate, likewise at Sports.  Congratulations to Bruce who flew the Fox beautifully and to Paul Jennings who flew so well in his Pilatus B4 at Sports.

And we must not forget Sam flying Club in a Lasham k21.  At just 14 years of age it is in his direction that we should all be looking if we want to see the future of our sport.  He did well!

Operationally speaking all went well.  We lost day one due to bad weather but completed the comp in two long days (Friday and Saturday) in cloudless Mediterranean conditions.  Thirty eight flights were undertaken and all but two of them in the Fox.  This meant a slow turn around averaging slightly less than three flights an hour.  To give ourselves a chance we breakfasted together at 7am and first flights were as close to 8am as we could manage.  Thanks to all who took part for their forbearance, co-operation and help in making this comp a success.

Paul Conran
Competition Director