PRESS RELEASE
For more information call Roger Gomoll, media relations 507.373.9587
or Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau 507.373.3938 (day)

DAY THREE OF SOARING CHAMPIONSHIPS  
SOAKED
Championship dates: May 27-June 5, 1997


The sound of raindrops in Albert Lea Minnesota may be pleasant for area farmers, but is 
disappointing for contestants at the US 15 Meter Soaring Championships. Many of the best 
sailplane pilots in the country are eager to take to the skies and prove their abilities in the 
high-test arena of competitive soaring.  For the second day in a row, the 52 sleek 
sailplanes stayed disassembled and out of the elements. They are waiting for the cool dry 
air, sunny skies, and the puffy summertime cumulus clouds that indicate good soaring 
conditions.

The forecast is calling for cloudy skies and a chance of rain though today, but a high 
pressure area over western South Dakota promises soarable weather for Friday.

Charlie Spratt, Competition Director, has seen this sort of thing before. “Many many 
contests have been delayed or even canceled on account of rain. But I feel that it’s better to 
have the rain at the beginning of the contest rather than at the end. All we need are four 
good days to make this a contest, and we still have seven left.” When asked how the pilots 
were feeling, Spratt answered in one word: “Frustrated.”

Once again pilots took to the Interstates today to see the sights around southern Minnesota. 
Popular destinations included the Mall of America and Mason City. The 52 pilots hail 
from 24 states and a province of Canada.




5/29/97  

----------------------------------------------------
Access provided by:
Guenther Eichhorn              | gei@cfa.harvard.edu
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA
CPL,ASMELS,IA,Glider,CFI       | Pitts S-2A: N1GE
DC-3 type rating               | Flying is the Pitts
See:    http://acro.harvard.edu/IAC
and:    http://acro.harvard.edu/SSA