Contest Director's Report

I haven't been able to compete this year - but will nonetheless claim a trophy for the worst pun ever published on this website: glider aerobatics are on a roll.

In mid-July, nine pilots across three classes - to be assessed by a team of three highly experienced judges - gathered at the beautiful Saltby airfield as guests of Buckminster Gliding Club for the 2024 Glider Open. This event marked a resurgence in UK glider aerobatics - in turn reflecting the dedication and hard work of a group of colleagues committed to revitalising this aspect of our sport over many months.

This competition showed that their efforts have paid off - and the talent and skill on display provides a firm foundation for glider aerobatics to flourish. I am sure that amongst those competing are members of a future British Team.

Glider aerobatics is both a skill and an art: there are no "wing rocks, full power and climb back up to start again": once released from tow, the pilot needs excellent energy management to perform the required figures accurately; manage the wind; and adjust their position. The overall standard shown at this competition was excellent - with some very high scores in all three classes. The great aerobatic flying was underpinned by high levels of safety consciousness and professionalism.

Our greatest battle was with the weather. A moist Northerly flow spinning off a low in the North Sea gave rapidly cycling weather and variable cloud bases. We remained on a state of "high alert" - grabbing safe windows to fly when we could. We ultimately completed programmes in all three classes - albeit we needed to use "split" flights in Sports and Intermediate.

In Club, both pilots - Laura Martin and Emre Mutlu - delivered flights of very high quality, with Laura taking the Club plaque with a great score of 81.38%. Emre had a second flight - a beautiful, flowing sequence that earned him a judged score of 87.42%! Low cumulus flooded the box and Laura could not complete her second flight - so the Club competition was closed after Programme 1.

In Sports, Patrick Clear led the way with two excellent, clean flights leading to a score of 80.44%. He was followed by Merlin Ohta and Elliot Cox.

In Intermediate, there was a tough battle between the experienced Dave Gethin and Neil Oakley - with Neil taking the Gold in the pretty 1950's Letov Lunak with a score of 73.96%.

The overall Saltby Open Trophy is awarded to the pilot in Sports or Intermediate who achieves the highest overall score - which in this case was Patrick Clear in Sports. Well done Patrick - very well deserved.

This comp could only happen thanks to the support of Buckminster Gliding Club. That support was unfailing - both before and throughout the competition. Most pilots flew Buckminster's ASK21 - towed by the Club's DR400. The Club's membership were welcoming and their facilities wonderful - enabling efficient briefings, supported by outstanding catering (thanks Angie and Julie!). A huge "thank you" from all of us to the whole team - including Keith Ford who worked with us both preparing for the comp and throughout the three days.

Finally, I would like to thank various sages of gliding aerobatics who helped me do my job: Andy Cunningham (CJ), Charles Baker (Judge), Paul Conran (Judge), Mark Erlund (Buckminster aerobatics instructor and airfield liaison), Neil Oakley and Merlin Ohta - together with Steve Todd from the British Aerobatics Management Team who is supporting glider aerobatics: all helped me with the planning, organising and decision-making. Thank you all.

I will now conclude with an even worse pun: roll on the Dan Smith Trophy!

Paul Brice

16^th July, 2024

Photographs from Dave Gethin, Chris Greenhalgh, Emre Mutlu and Neil Oakley