SA National Gliding Champs Welkom Dec 2023

The competition commenced with a practice day on Friday 15 December 2023. However, with very stormy weather being the flavour of the day, no flying was possible. The weather did, eventually, give us a break and the unboxing of a very special aircraft could be completed. This aircraft will also feature in various other parts of this report.
The 2023 competition was held at the Welkom airport in the Free State. Goldfields Gliding Club hosted the event and oh boy the way they hosted it was out of this world. So many people came together to make this event a huge success.
A total of seven tasks were planned for the seven competition days. All were flown bar task 4. The weather would not play along on Tuesday 19 December and thus the task was cancelled. Days were very challenging as the weather gods would add their bit of complication to the contest. Changing winds and cloud formations were constantly monitored by all the pilots but certainly most by Oscar. As Oscar was the task setter it was up to him to set out a course that could be flown by all… And completed by all.
Jonker Sailplanes has recently introduced their latest addition to their already impressive lineup of competition aircraft. The JS5 prototype, with its 24.2 wingspan, which in my opinion, is a work of art and was unveiled at the Jonker Sailplane Factory based at the Potchefstroom airport. Attie Jonker was the first to fly it and I believe there is a whole video on this posted on RUclips.

[@user-ph2lb6od4k]

Veery good.🙏❤

[@henniedutoit8436]

Jis miss the gliders here up in Limpopo 😢

[@ZoneTelevision]

I wonder when Mike Patey will build a transcontinental glider.

[@williebodenstein]

What a brilliant idea!!