This article by Bert Put was first published in the Australian Gliding, May 1993. Photos by Bert Put
Whenever I think of Horsham Week. I have very fond memories of an excellent and friendly competition. I don't know what it is that makes me come back every year, but I've been at it for 10 tear, now with no sign of stopping.
My first two years at the comp Were as part of a team from Latrobe Valley Gliding Club, The remaining 8 years as a helper.
The comp we just completed was the 25th anniversary of Horsham Week in its current form, with just over 40 gliders attending. It would appear that Horsham week is more popular than even the state comps or the nationals!
We had six flying days our of eight despite the continual sea breezes, determined to dampen our flying, but we were just as determined to fly. In its 25-year history, we have had over 30 gliders in most cases, with 72 gliders in one memorable year.
To spout figures in this dry fashion would be one way to describe Horsham Week, but that really is not what the comp is about. We are about having HEAPS of fun doing LOTS of flying and making sure everyone enjoys themselves.
Where else should you see the unorthodox way in which we handicap gliders? An example: A regular to Horsham Week is Darcy Hogan flying his open Jantar. KYV.
It gets pretty boring when he wins 3 days in a row with 1000 points for each day. He must be doing something right - but it's time to trim this man down to size. Or rather, his glider. This is how the event transpired:
I was to photograph Darcy in the guise of a fill-in photographer for the local newspaper the "Wimmera Times". Being a photographer himself, he knows how pedantic we can be, so he very graciously strapped on his parachute, pulled back the wing covers (all the while complaining about dust on the wings!) and climbed into his beloved KYV.
As I was snapping away, we were both surprised by the appearance of a certain contest director with a tape measure. Finally, our "Official Handicapper" Gary Albrecht (loudly proclaimed by the large sign on his hat) looks on while his offsider, John Robinson. starts his chain saw. Darcy looks around and laughs, realising the joke. However. he suddenly went very quiet when John pulled the trigger on the saw, causing it to scream to fever pitch. I don't think he'll ever forgive us for that...
Both Darcy, and Aaron Stroop finished the week off beautifully with a similar spectacular aerobatic display to the one they did at the Avalon airshow.
Another group of regulars are the menagerie from Benalla, the Gliding Club of Victoria. They took the opportunity to debut a brand-new trophy, called "the biggest stuff-up of the week award"! There were a few contenders. but Shaun Driscoll lamented that all the pilots were being disgustingly well-behaved, making it difficult to come up with a clear winner.
Then came the day when the task-setter himself (Laurie Bunnik!) decided to go for a fly, just for the fun of it. Since he set the tasks, you would imagine that he would know where each turn-point is... but when he flew 30km further than he needed to for one of the turn-points. the GCV declared Laurie the winner by a country mile.
On one of the non-flying days, all the gliders were lined up ready to fly when a cool change hit. The day was called off. but one pilot, Alan Bell, decided to launch anyway and attempt the task - and got around. Although the day was cancelled. he did achieve his 5 hour flight for his Silver C, so the effort was not wasted. He was very jubilant after the flight - he had remembered the barograph this time!
On another day, Shaun Eyles, a visitor from England, achieved a blinding speed of l02km/h on a day when the next fastest competitor in any class reached 82km/h. Needless to say, he won the day...
Of course, a report on Horsham Week is not complete without mentioning our untiring kitchen staff, led bv Lorelle - Chef extraordinaire. During the entire week. the pilots and crews were being fed breakfast, lunch and hot dinners at all hours and at very competitive prices. There was very little incentive to eat out.
Then we have our tuggies, most of which have been there for many years: Vince, Brian "Punch" Jenkins, Steve McFarlane...
When I go to Horsham Week. I know I'm in for a great fun-filled week. I'm never disappointed. Nobody ever takes things too seriously, everyone actually talks to everyone else, it's just an incomparable atmosphere.
I am proud to have been part of the 25th Horsham Week, and look forward eagerly for many more years to come.