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From john@roake.gen.nz Sat Jan 7 19:20:13 1995 Return-Path:Received: from midland.co.nz by head-cfa.harvard.edu (4.1/SMI-4.0) id AA17129; Sat, 7 Jan 95 19:20:10 EST X-Sender: sroake@midland.co.nz Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" 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 ***********************************************************
World Gliding Championships, 1995, Bulletin No. 4 on soaring.guenther-eichhorn.com