World Gliding Championships, 1995, Bulletin No. 4

This information was pulled off rec.aviation.soaring.

From john@roake.gen.nz Sat Jan  7 19:20:13 1995
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Date: Sun, 8 Jan 1995 12:29:26 +1200
To: "Dr. Guenther Eichhorn"
From: john@roake.gen.nz (John Roake)

Press release World Gliding Championships                              
January 7


Winds gusting up to 45 knots did not disrupt the flow of the opening day
airshow for the World Gliding Championships at Omarama today, Saturday,
January 7.
An estimated crowd of 8000  attending the opening which featured
spectacular flying displays in turburlent conditions and very strong winds
estimated to reach 45 knots at 2000 feet.

Omarama airfield was a colourful scene with the unfurled flags of 23
nations fying and an array of aircraft which had flown from throughout New
Zealand to perform some of the most impressive aviation acts every seen.

Following a mass march past of the 24 competing teams, the official guests
arrived by air in novel ways. Championship director John Roake, bungi
jumped from a helicopter,  Air New Zealand general manager of International
Affairs, Graeme McDowall was flown in by glider, Sir Tim Wallis made a
stunning entrance in his Spitfire and first vice president of the
International Jury Tor Johannessen and OSTIV president Manfred Reinhardt
were delivered by chauffeuse in New Zealand's only  drop-head Pontiac car.

The opening ceremony featured a Maori challenge and welcome to official
guests, the singing of the offficial World Gliding anthem and national
anthem by opera singers accompanied by a grand piano,official speeches and
the declaration of the opening of the contest by Sir Tim Wallis who then
the lit the official flame which will burn for the duration of the contest.


The Royal New Zealand Airforce Red Checkers squadron led by Squadron Leader
Paul Thacker set the airshow rolling, followed by a display by the RNZAF
Iroquois, a low level flying display by three Fletcher top dressing planes,
solo glider aerobatics performed by American pilot Bret Willat and French
pilot and French team member Jacques Aboulin, an airfield attack by the
Wanaka Alpine Warbirds led by Sir Tim Wallis and a fly past salute by three
of the New Zealand world championship gliding team.                        
                                                             
2.....                                                                  

For organisers of the championships, the opening day was a tremendous success.

Championship director John Roake says the support from more than 150 New
Zealand volunteers enabled the day to run without a hitch and provided the
large crowd with the best possible aviation entertainment.

``With today's festivities over, it is now time to get serious,'' says Mr
Roake. ``The World Gliding Championships are underway and for the next two
weeks international attention will be focused on the skies above Omarama.''


Further information contact Ruth Douglas, Press officer World Gliding
Championships Omarama. Phone (03)438-9482 ext 833/834


Sunday January 8  is a no competiton day. -   There has been heavy rain
overnight and the ceiling at 1300 hours is only 2500 feet.




 

***********************************************************
A personal message from   JOHN H. ROAKE,  
Private Bag,  Tauranga, New Zealand.
Phone+64-7-552-5759  Fax +64-7-552-5370
***********************************************************

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