This article by Emilis Prelgauskas was first published in the Australian Gliding magazine, 1981.
Negotiations to have the 1981 Horsham Week sanctioned as a GFA-sponsored Sports Class Nationals were not completed in time to advertise this event but there were 21 Sports Class sailplanes, including four two-seaters, among the 50 aircraft that gathered at Horsham during February so it was feasible to hold the contest.
The weather was not consistent with the usual strong summer conditions usually experienced in February, which was disappointing, particularly after the brilliant conditions early in the season.
Despite this, some long tasks were accomplished and eight contest days were achieved over the eight days of the event.
To achieve this, on several days "sniffers" were launched after marshalling and, to the general astonishment of pilots and tasksetters alike, they usually remained airborne. Throughout the contest, the task return rate was quite high.
The lowest return rate in the Sports Class was on a 300 km task to Wycheproofe and Hopetoun, which took most competitors six hours and more to complete, some simply running out of convection time.
The following day was declared "free distance", the scoring being limited to the distance achieved from a turning point chosen and photographed by the pilot. Since the distance was measured only on the return leg, the task called for speed flying on the outward leg and conservative "stay airborne" flying on the way home as the conditions faded.
The longest flights of the day were to Tempy, with most pilots making it back to the drome, covering distances in excess of 300 km.
The discussions on "Pilot Choice" type tasks (as used at Rose Week, Benalla) and the use of selected map co-ordinate turning points suggest a gradual shift from closed circuit racing to tasks which demand greater weather interpretation and navigation from the pilot.
Pilots and aircraft represented at the contest ranged from the well-seasoned (Keith Nolan and his Olympia) to the novice (Peter Hooks in a borrowed Pilatus).
Interestingly, the speeds achieved by all contestants were close and competitive. Also, in light of the considerable range in pilot experience, the flying standard was very high.
Certainly, the organisers' control was instrumental in maintaining this standard. Max Hedt, after a finish-line pull-up, was told "Very pretty. Zero points for the whole day."
However, the concern of contest administrators at national level about flight safety seem unwarranted. After all, it was at Waikerie that pilots had near misses and launched with unlocked canopies. Competitive standards among the less experienced pilots appears quite adequate.
Top placings in the Sports Class were:
- Keith Nolan Olympia 43
- Chris Dearden Super Goose XK
- Emilis Prelgauskas ES60 TI
- Duncan Ferguson ES60 TR
- Guy Harley Ka6 HA