The Last Day
Putting on a contest is a work of love for some contest staff. It take a number of people who are willing to give up their time from families, accept a smaller pay check from their work, operate in somewhat tough conditions just so we can enjoy our sport. The tow pilots stay in Uvalde for 2 weeks just so they can fly maybe an hour a day. The rest of the time they are up to their own devices. At least at the Seniors, I do not want to know what they do with their time off. I would be right there with then getting into trouble. Here, we had a great group of pilots making sure we got in the air safely as
they avoided the airport traffic, gliders, light aircraft arrivals and Customs helicopters. The entire group of tow pilots we had were awesome. The Chief Tow Pilot (not a job I would like to have), was Gary Evans from Odessa Texas flying a C-182. In his squadron was Mike Hostage from San Antonio flying the Bird Dog, Preston Gover from Sunflower in Kanas in the C-175, Neil Muxworthy from Hamilton Texas in his beautiful C-180 and finally, The Red Baron Pawnee from Texas Soaring Association in Dallas Texas flown by Scottie Smith. I see Scotty all the time flying tow in contests all over. It is always a pleasure and I hope to get him to tow for us at the Seniors one year.
When we arrived at Uvalde the first group of contest staff you met were the registration folks. Haleigh Boyd, Dawn Griffin and Janelle Sullivan made the process easy, efficient and very pleasant. Our weighing crew was run by Eric Anderson and James Hollins. Monty Sullivan spent a good amount of time working on the trackers that will be used during the WGC next year. Team 98 was happy to carry these high-tech devices every day to sort out the problems and verify the OGN network is up to the task. A contest flight line is always one of the most important, safety conscience work area during the launch. You can be efficient, but if you hurt someone or launch a glider when the pilot is not ready, it could be very dangerous. Sherman Griffiff was the Operations Boss for Uvalde Glide and the 18 Meter Nationals. His crew consisted of Paul Case, James Hollins, Eric Anderson, Josh King, Collin Agor, Steve Leonard and that great Marine, Melissa Indebro. If you do not have scores, you would never know who won. Ron Gleason took care of the pilots with attention to detail and a good eye on the rules. When you had a question, Ron was always able to give you a timely, correct response. Towropes, everyone wants one but few want to trapse into the mesquite and high grass to retrieve them, let alone set them up for the next day. Anne Hollins has been doing this at Uvalde for a long time. Never complaining and always making sure the knots are untangled before the next launch.
The tasks for today are all Racing Tasks, a great way to finish the 2 weeks. The weather is going to be a little weaker than normal Uvalde put the pedal to the metal type of day. For the 20-meter class, we begin at Start F, Chaparosa, Charlotte, Los Angeles (not that one folks!), Crystal City (no not the one by DC) and Finish. It is a 226-mile task that we should easily finish in about 3 hours.
The 18-meter class go from Start B, Yancy, Hondo, Concan, Highway 90 Nueces, Cotulla, Dillui and Finish. This 237-mile task should be just under 3 hours.
The Open class will be going from Start F, Tarpley, Leakey, Chalk Bluff, Castroville, McKinley and Finish. Their task is 258-miles and should be just under 3 hours.
Tonight, we will be going to the Herby Ham Activity Center for the awards banquet. Do not look for the scores before the banquet, they will not be up. We will put out a report soon as I know the results.
That’s all for now. We must get 98 on the starting line.
Cheers,
Rich
Team 98 Backseater