This article by Michelle Luciani was first published in Australian Gliding, April 1997.
Now in its 30th year, Horsham Week, hosted by the Wimmera Soaring Club, is one of the most popular gliding contests in Australia. This year, 46 pilots from Victoria, SA, Queensland, NSW, ACT, and the UK competed in four different classes, flying 36 gliders.
The event started on Saturday 1 February, with very poor conditions. Only three gliders attempted the set task, without success.
The next day saw better conditions. Task distances ranged from 100 to 150km. All launched, and with lift to 3,500ft, most of the fleet got around, with average speeds between 60 and 70km/h.
Day 3, Monday, saw conditions improve again, and slightly longer tasks were set - 130 to 170km. Thermals went to 5,500ft, and speeds increased to between 80 and 100km/h.
Tuesday saw more improvement. Distances set went to 250 to 350km, and lift went to 6,000ft. Average speeds were similar to the Monday.
Day 5 boomed, with thermals to 14,000ft! Task lengths were 500, 570, and 625km. Speeds achieved were between 100 and 145km/h, with a total distance of 22,000km flown on this one day. (Including the world's first 500km in a PW5.)
The last three days were all 'no contest'. On Thursday and Friday isolated thunderstorms and showers prevented tasks being flown, and Saturday was a complete wash-out, with consistent rain in the afternoon, with the sunshine finally breaking out around 5pm - too late.
A bush dance was held in the hangar that evening, for the trophy presentation night. An enjoyable night's entertainment after a busy period hosting the nationals and then Horsham Week.
Results:
Open class
1. Tony Tabart, Corangemite.
2. Neil Burns, Sportavia.
3. Ian Davies, Geelong.
15 metre class
1. Ross Carroll, GCV
2. John Anderson, GCV
3. Laurie Bunnik, Wimmera.
Standard class
1. Bruce Campbell, Bendigo
2. Gary Stevenson, Grampians
3. Noel Vagg, Beaufort
Sports class
1. Chris Thorpe, Beaufort
2. Keith Willis, Bordertown/Keith
3. Graeme Rickert, Temora.