Page 37 - MFW June 2025

order of events. At times the wind – often generated by strong thermals –
enabled only 1 lap to be flown – but those thermals presented opportunities
for some of the braver pilots. Several climbed out from just a few metres to
enable further laps to be flown, and a better score achieved.

John Copeland and Rob Johnson teamed up together with Dave and Kev in
the other NZ team. John C has always supported NZ with super help on initial
setups for GPS and also helping us with seminars being available to offer his
very experienced knowledge. It was so cool to have him helping the Kiwi
team. Thanks John! And congratulations on winning the light class event!

With up to six planes in the air at once on each heat it meant for exciting racing
and some great strategies. Do you get as many laps as possible losing height
or do you try and thermal out while on the course and maybe get more laps?
Well, this proved so interesting and many times the answer was different with
the fickle thermal conditions. In one slot we could get our well ballasted
models out in strong thermal action and the next slot circling in a light thermal
wasn’t good enough and all that was achieved was staying at around the
same height! There was always a possible tactic that may work and
sometimes different at the start of the slot compared to the end. Air reading
skills were required and a clear understanding of the rules necessary.
Average laps in light class were 2 or 3 over 20mins and in sport class up to 7 in
30mins although with a bigger triangle course and higher first entry.

Speed task was a new thing for most contestants and not many had practiced
this one. The Speed task happens after 5 complete rounds of distance flying
in sports class only. Very similar to F3B with entry speed
and height being very important to have somewhere near
the target (max 120km/hr and 400m) and getting the
glider up to a higher speed with height management to
complete one whole lap of the course – a quick task but
fun for all with a real challenge.

The Kiwis did well in Sport Class with Dave winning and
Kevin in third place. The Australians took out the major
placings in the light class. It was such a nice place to visit
and the other pilots were great people and very helpful. To
the organisers - thank you so much it was certainly an
experience to be remembered.

Coming home with super enthusiasm for more we have
organised a GPS weekend in Matamata on the 14th and
15th June and there will be more events and online info
posted soon.

We have a complete Soaring SIG page on GPS racing:
https://www.mfnz.org/members-pilots/gps-triangle/

Also, our soaring Calander online :...................................
https://www.mfnz.org/members-pilots/mfnz-events/

Team Kiwi
Soaring Rocks!

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