Monday, June 23, 2014

WGC 2014

Here is some basic information about the World Gliding Championships (WGC), and about the US Soaring Team.

The WGC takes place every two years.  It is split into two separate competitions, with three classes of gliders in each. Sometimes, the interval between competitions is one-and-a-half or two-and-a half years, because they occasionally go to the Southern Hemisphere, where it's summertime in January.

Usually, about 20 countries participate in each Championships. Each country is allowed to send two pilots per class, not counting the reigning champions, who are automatically invited.  USA tries to send a full complement of pilots to each contest, which means 12 pilots total for the two contests.

This year one of the WGCs is in Finland in June (it has already started), and the other one is in Poland in July.

The contest in Finland is for the Standard, Club, and 2-seater classes.  Here is some information and links to help you follow along:
Contest site: Rayskala, Finland
Dates: June 22 - July 5
Contest website
Scores
US Team blog, Twitter
Karin's blog
We have some connections to this contest.  Both of our Standard Class pilots are members of GBSC and have flown out of Post Mills. The principal author of the US Team blog is PMSC member John Good.

Karin Schlosser, one of our pilots, is writing her own blog. Unfortunately, both bloggers are currently reporting that the weather in Finland is really lousy.

The other contest is in Poland, and it is for the Open, 18 Meter, and 15 Meter classes.  Here is the info:
Contest site: Leszno, Poland
Dates: July 27 - August 9
Contest website
Scores
US Team blog, Twitter
Rick (DB Crew) will be there, and will be one of the Team bloggers and tweeters.

1 comment:

    PMSC Member said...

I will try to keep this post updated with current information, new links, etc.