A small but enthusiastic group of pilots made their way to Gawler in January for the Australian Series 12, Sailplane Grand Prix. Ben Terrell and John Grant towed their gliders from Perth for the contest. Norm Bloch drove over from New South Wales where he had been flying and, after the competition, joined the other Western Australians on the drive home across the Nullarbor.
Pete Temple flying one of three JS3s in the competition.
By Sean Young
Geoff Brown made the journey from the ACT and Erik Borgmann travelled from the Netherlands to join the only local entrant Pete Temple. Unfortunately, three pilots on the entry list were unable to compete due to injury and health issues.
At the height of the summer soaring season, Gawler can have excellent conditions as troughs pass overhead. However, the result depends on the timing of these troughs, and whether they are favourable or not for gliding. SGP Gawler featured a mix of conditions.
Erik Borgmann from the Netherlands
SGP Gawler Race 1... nearly
After a promising start to a 299km task, conditions at the top turnpoint of Hallett, 130km north of Gawler, did not turn out to be as forecast – at least not when the competitors arrived there. Three pilots started their motors for technical landouts while the other three actually did land out, all in the same paddock 130km from home.
The flight line, ready to launch on day 1. Photo Alan Dean
Race 1 Redux
As no pilot had completed the task the day before, the following day was still designated Race 1. Sadly, Pete Temple had problems with the electric system in his JS3 and spent the day working on the glider.
Conditions on track turned out to be better than forecast with strong and regular climbs in the blue. There was one landout, while the remaining pilots kept close together for the first three legs. However, Erik Borgmann broke away on the second to last leg. Norm Bloch and Geoff Brown did their best to catch him, but Erik kept in the lead to win Race 1. Geoff Brown took second position with Norm Bloch in 3rd place.
Norm Bloch ready to launch.
Blue Day
After the passage of the trough, the wind became more northerly with dryer, warmer air and better conditions. The forecast was for a blue day with light winds and thermals to 6,500ft (2,000m). Pete Temple's glider was back online.
A 302km task was set for Race 2 with four turn points, and it proved to be an exciting race – a straight out chase around the course with blue thermals. Ahead of the start, the fleet climbed to over 7,000ft before descending to the maximum starting height of 4,500ft and crossing the start line at high speed. Pete Temple was first across the line and sped away from the fleet.
Geoff Brown in his JS1. Geoff won two of the four races securing 2nd place overall.
But in the blue, he had to stop for a climb. Meanwhile, the other pilots caught up to him and climbed in the same thermal. A game of tag ensued around the course with gliders leap frogging each other, time and again.
Halfway down the 100km final leg to the control point, the deciding tactical decisions were made.
They were heading into – in fact, above – a sea breeze blowing in from the south. As is often the case, a line of convergence on the hills to the east of the Clare Valley provided a line of energy back to Gawler. But where was the line of convergence, exactly? It was not marked by clouds and the pilots had to feel and find it.
Pete Temple had been in the lead for much of the race and went a bit west, while Norm Bloch and Erik Borgmann went a bit east. Erik and Norm chose the best line and overhauled Pete. Erik perhaps felt the air a bit more accurately than Norm and soon was in the lead on the final stretch.
Erik crossed the finish line in 1st place, completing the 302.07km course at 124.88 kph. He was closely followed by Norm at 124.42 kph and Pete in 3rd position at 123.81 kph.
Fast Race 3
Classic Gawler soaring conditions made for a fast 412km race today. A convergence line marked by cumulus to over 11,000ft stretched northwards from Gawler. The competitors were sent straight north for 200km and back again with a short leg to the east.
The line of cumulus divided up the fleet as each pilot sought the best path under the clouds. After the top turn point, Pete Temple flew east of the direct line to the finish, looking for the best air. His gambit paid off and put him well in front of the others.
But Geoff Brown and Norm Bloch powered forward directly on track and found a strong 10kt climb. This put them in front of Peter and closer to home. In the end their extra height gave them the advantage and Geoff Brown powered home in his JS1 at 149.27 kph. Norm followed at 147.59 kph and Erik Borgmann came home in 3rd place at 145.15 kph.
GAus Chair, Steve Peglar (left) with Ben Terrell from WA who flew his Ventus 2.cx, (see the photo below.)
Final Day
A 416km task was set, first going north, then turning to the east into the expected cumulus.
Erik Borgmann was 3 points ahead of Norm Bloch, which meant Norm would have to come 1st to win the grand prix.
Geoff Brown achieved his second day win, putting him in 2nd place overall, but Erik Borgmann came home in 2nd place securing his place at the top of the scoring table.
The day promised to be good, but early on, a band of trough-associated cloud covered the task area, moving away slowly. The balance was between the temperature rising enough to break an inversion, and the gliders leaving the Gawler area before the rising air sucked in a sea breeze low down, making it impossible to climb away.
The launch was delayed, but at 13:45 the first glider was launched. Soon the competitors were up at 8,000ft and the race began.
The competitors, crews and team at SGP Gawler
The conditions on track proved to be superb with strong climbs to over 10,000ft (3,000m). Geoff Brown completed the 416km task at 142 kph for a great finish to the grand prix.
It is always a pleasure to visit Adelaide Soaring Club. It is friendly and lively and is one of the closest clubs to a capital city to have such good cross country options. It was great to meet old friends and meet the Western Australians halfway across the continent.
SGP Gawler
5 - 11 January 2025
1 Erik Borgmann JS3 Res 21
2 Geoff Brown JS1c 19
3 Norman Bloch JS3 16
Full results at soarignspot tinyurl.com/gawlersgp