By Garth Calitz

The Potchefstroom Gliding Club hosted the National Gliding Championships once more from October 1st to 7th. Following last year's outstanding success, it was decided again to schedule the National Championships earlier in the year compared to previous years. This year, fifty-three participants competed across four different classes: eleven in the Club Class, twenty-one in the Open/18 Meter Class, thirteen in the 15 Meter Class, and six in the newly introduced Double Seater Class.

Club Class accommodates a variety of older small gliders within a certain performance range, with scores adjusted through handicapping. While disposable water ballast can be installed, it must not be used in this class.

15 Metre Class: Aircraft in this category have a wingspan of no more than 15 meters and are permitted to use lift-enhancing devices. The maximum all-up mass is 525 kg, and disposable water ballast is allowed in this class.

Open/18 Meter Class includes aircraft with wingspans of up to 18 meters and a maximum total weight of 600 kg. This class also permits the use of disposable water ballast.

Double Seater Class is limited to a maximum wingspan of 20 meters and a maximum total mass of 750 kg, similar to the previous two classes. The use of disposable water ballast is allowed.

The weather did not cooperate during the competition, leading to many tasks being shortened or completely canceled on several days.

On the first day, only the 18-meter class was assigned a task due to poor gliding conditions. The task was considerably shorter, measuring just 189.3 km, and was anticipated to take no more than 2 hours.

The initial leg led competitors from Potchefstroom to Gypsum Dam, then to Bodenstien, and back to Potch via Boskop.

Oscar Goudriaan completed this task in first place, followed by Arne J. Boye-Møller from Denmark and Brett Hunter from New Zealand.

On the second day, the competitors were welcomed by clear blue skies, and all the classes successfully received their tasks.

• 18m/Open: 3 hr. AAT 246.3 km./454.9 km. Gypsum Dam – Ancona– Bamboespruit– Boskop – Potchefstroom

• 15m: 3 hr. AAT 220.0 km/429.7 km. Gypsum Dam – Schuttersdraai– Bamboespruit– Boskop – Potchefstroom

• Club: 3 hr. AAT 130.7 km/308.8 km. Potchefstroom – Mirage– Hartbeesfontein– Boskop - Potchefstroom

• 2-seater: 3 hr. AAT 130.7 km/308.8 km. Potchefstroom – Mirage– Hartbeesfontein– Boskop – Potchefstroom

On the morning of day three, despite the severe storms the night before that compelled some competitors to de-rig their aircraft, the weather appeared suitable for flying. Tasks were assigned, and launches commenced.

• Both 18m/Open & 15m: 3 hr. AAT 230.7 km/441.7 km. Potchefstroom – N12 Traffic – Lichtenburg– Bamboespruit – Boskop – Potchefstroom

• Both Club & 2-seater: 3 hr. AAT 115.8 km./343.1 km. Potchefstroom – Gypsum Dam – Makokskraal– Werda – Boskop – Potchefstroom

  
  

On the fourth day of the competition, the conditions were again less than ideal. However, since the conditions appeared to be better to the north, it was decided that all tasks would take place there.

• Open/18meter Task 287.7 km. Potchefstroom – N12 Traffic – Lichtenburg – Derby – Boskop - Potch

• 15meter Task 264.6 km. Potchefstroom – N12 Traffic – Coligny – Derby – Boskop - Potch

• Club: Task 207.0 km. Potchefstroom – Gypsum Dam – Bodenstein – Intersection – Boskop - Potch

• 2-Seater Task A 207.0 km. Potchefstroom – Gypsum Dam – Bodenstein – Intersection – Boskop - Potch

On Day Five, the conditions were so poor that it was decided to cancel all flights.

On the sixth day of the competition, the conditions improved significantly with blue skies and sunshine. Tasks were assigned, and the competitors quickly took to the air. However, soon after the launch of the 15-meter and 2-seater categories, the weather changed, and a large storm formed to the west of the field. Consequently, it was decided to cancel the entire day and recall those who had already taken off.

On the seventh and final day of the SA Nationals, events were regrettably cancelled due to a hailstorm causing significant disruption. Despite having the largest number of entries in years, participants faced the worst weather conditions seen in a long time. However, enough flying was completed to ensure results in all classes.

AP Kotze emerged as the Club Class Champion with 2,170 points, with Jaco Burger closely behind at 1,998 points, and Wilhelm Mosehuus at 1,722 points.

In the 15 Meter class, Mark Holliday claimed the top spot with 2,101 points, while Wayne Schmidt and Richard Bradley secured second and third places with 1,982 and 1,854 points, respectively.

Oscar Goudriaan claimed victory in the 18-meter class, narrowly beating his brother Laurens by scoring 2,093 points, just 23 points ahead of Laurens, who had 2,070 points. Arne J. Boye-Møller finished third with a close 2,062 points.

The double-seater class was highly competitive, with the team of Schaap & Taljaard securing first place with 1,816 points. They were closely followed by Farrell & Tiffin, who scored 1,795 points. Lessle & Stheeman achieved a commendable third place with a respectable 1,741 points.

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the competition was a remarkable success, and it was gratifying to witness international participants joining the local event.

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