Northern Regionals

BY JOHN GRIFFIN (CONTEST DIRECTOR)

The Northern Regionals had 19 entries, with a few day entries too. Two classes were set (Open and Racing) which included Std & Club Class gliders.

Sunday 27 November – opening day was wet.

DAY 1 Monday. The wind was south/west onto the ridge, however it was overcast with cloud base to only 3000 feet. A straight ridge task was set. Open class – start Wardville, Te Puru, Tapapa, Thames airfield, Tirohia, Tapapa, Matamata – a total of 401 km. Dave Jensen won the day in GVR (JS1) at a speed of 162 km/hr. When setting the task, in the morning, Tim Bromhead had wondered whether Tapapa would be too far from the ridge, when the likelihood of thermals was low. As it turned out, Tim was the only contestant to land out while trying to make this turn-point and return to the ridge. The racing class was a shorter ridge task of 304 km and was won by Tony Davies GXP, at 159 kph.

DAY 2 Tuesday. The weather was only a slight improvement on Monday, the wind still south/west. The cloud base was still only 3000 feet but with some thermal activity likely. Another ridge task was set, this time as AAT. The racing class flew – start Wardville, Awaiti, Okoroire, Hikutaia, BOP Fert. works, Matamata, an AAT with a minimum distance of 182 km and max 354 km. The day was won by Genny Healey & G Dale in the Piako club’s Puchaz, at of speed of 131 kph. G Dale had to come to Matamata for the cross-country course the previous week with a coaching day for the world contest pilots going to Benalla. Genny Healey had persuaded G to coach her for a week in the Puchaz at the contest. Nigel McPhee won the open class.

DAY 3 Wednesday. Gridded but called off as thermal development was insufficient around Matamata.

DAY 3 Thursday. Also cancelled

DAY 3 Friday. A thermal task was set – Open class – Walton, Flaxmill, Mokai, Matamata, an AAT, 211/331 km which was won by Steve Wallace in GKT. The racing class, second on the grid that day, AAT task Walton, Awaiti, Tokoroa, Matamata was won by Paul Schofield and Jim Lyver in Auckland’s PW6. The day had weakened off and only three of the racing class reached home.

DAY 4 Saturday. A good thermal day. The day started with a southerly wind direction with the thermals developing to the south first. However, a northern thermal cloud sheet slowly approached the field during the launch and just before this there was a blue hole in the sky. Genny Healey and G Dale only managed to clear the airfield on their third attempt in the Puchaz. Later as the day weakened, the pair showed real persistence to complete the Racing task, which was Waharoa, Arohena, Waitoa, Maramarua, and Matamata. AAT was set with 166/306 km. Bob Gray won the day in GNV, with Healey and Dale managing second. The Open class was won by Tim Bromhead in GBA.

A very familiar and regular crew of volunteers made the contest run smoothly, with Bill Mace not flying and taking over the administration/land-out role. Marion Moody was our champion volunteer, keeping everyone well nourished.

Tracy Gore

Photo Pam Gore

Genny Healey and G Dale

Trevor Terry

Tracy Gore Photo

Tony Davies

THE TROPHIES Most meritorious flight: G Healey & G Dale in the Puchaz on day 4. Open class Champion: Steve Wallace in GKT Racing class champion: Tony Davies in GXP The most improved pilot: Tony Davies who had also won this trophy the previous year. His ability has improved substantially again this year as shown by his Day one ridge task win at 159 kph and the fact that he was the overall champion. The Bob Conner memorial for the skills and joys of flying: Paul Schofield with Jim Lyver (who had done no cross country flying before this event) and had thoroughly enjoyed his week with Paul’s tuition.

Tony Davies receives the Racing Class trophy from John Griffin and Dave Moody

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Jean-Mari e Cl ément

Jean-Marie Clément

Holiday soaring over Mt Cook and the Tasman Glacier Photo John McCaw