Volume 32 No 1 Feb-Mar 1981.pdf - Lakes Gliding Club

WORLD GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIPSM. R. CARLTON, British Team ManagerBy the time you read this, we shall be officially entered in the1981 World Championships with a four man team comprisingGeorge Lee in the Open Class, Brian Spreckley and BernardFitchett in the 15 Meter Flapped Class, and Andrew Davis inthe Standard Class. These last minute changes arise from heavailability of new aircraft, partiCtllady in the Open Class, and Iam delighted to say that, all things being equal, the Team asrestructured win be ,going 10 Paderborn with the very beslequipment available at this time.The move of Ahdrew Davis 10 Standard Class was madepossible by the provision of an LS-4 through the good offices ofDick Sergeallt of Speed Soaring Lld who has also done sterlingwork in making available DiHel air and ground stations for allTeam members to use at the Championships. I should like toextend my special thanks to Dick for his help.Glidimg is not the easiest of sports to "train" for, but Brianami Bernard! are fortunate in being able to compete overChristmas in the South African Nationals. Brian wiU have theopportunity of flying a new Ventus there, and of course themarvellous South African weather will afford them both thechance of getting in some really good gliding.Our other Team members are less fortunate on the trainingfronl, with George Lee doing a stint with the RAF in Germany,and Andrew Oavis up in Shetland, neither p'lace being particularlyrenowned for winter gliding. However, what they lack in,flying practice they will obviously make up for in austere living.It takes more than good pilots to win Wor,J(j Championshipsand I am pleased to report the addition of two very importantgr.ound staff to our team. Oave Patan has agreed to come along,no doubt suitably armed with sellotape and string, and, with hisreputation for straightening out bent gliders in double quicklime, he will prove a tremendous asset should anyone be carelessor unlucky. Of equal importance, we have secured theservices of Tom Bradbury whose replltation as our foremost"Metman" goes well before him. He is doinga crash course inGerman meteorology and should be as proficient in lheir cloudsand weather as he was at Chateaurollx after learning French.An encouraging response-_ ......- ......... _~_._--------Whilst setting pen to paper, I should like to thank everyonewho has helped in any way with our fund raising appeal. Theresponse has been most encouraging, and the Team FundAppeal now stands at £15 250. (By the way, if you haven't yetreturned your stock sheet, could you please let us have it assoon as possible.)In addition to the many club secretaries, club members andothers who have helped with the promotional items, a numberof people have made a noli