Seminole-Lake Gliderport

The 19th SENIOR SOARING CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
WITH GREAT WEATHER AND GREAT PEOPLE. WE HAD THE MAXIMUM
6 DAY CONTEST WITH ONE CREW DAY

(pictures at end of this article)

The tasks were 2.5 to 3 hours daily. John Good kept busy each day being the Contest Director along with Rick Sheppe keeping the scoring program and pilots under control A job not taken lightly. Ray Galloway did a suburb job as weatherman and his good mooorrrrning greeting Always reminded us that it was.We enjoyed several dinners at the gliderport and was pleased when Rick Owen could join us on Thursday. He was to be a pilot in the contest when life took a different turn. He had to have an emergency quadruple heart surgery in Philadelphia a week earlier. He is a pilot with Delta and was on a layover in PA.Saturday night banquet was delicious at the Sheraton Lakeside. Bill Hill did a great job as guest speaker. First time at the Seniors.Awards were given out to First Place- Karl Striedieck -couldn't attend because they were already on the road to get Iris back to the University Monday morning for her students.

Second Place- Ken Sorenson
Third Place - Sam Giltner

The oldest gentleman pilot award went to Don Pollard and runner-up went to Bob Harvey. (They have been known to hang around St.Augustine's Fountain of Youth.) The youngest pilot award was given to Robin Clark (2nd year in a row) - only to find out later that Bill Bewley -newcomer to the group was the youngest. I assured him that- --- That was a good thing! Then there was the prestigious award of the " Uffda Cup" . The Uffda committee met and Rick Sheppe gave the presentation, leaving everyone on pins and needles with nervous laughter as he detailed each runner-up. (no name given -only glider, hmmm, even the tired and weary could figure this one out.) This is an award (in case you are unaware) of a major mess-up that happened during the week. 3rd runner up- Instruments not working, searching for several hours to find an airfield. Looking outside is always helpful. 2nd runner up- staying on tow to 4000 ft! because he was adjusting his instruments and failed to notice towplane waggle his wings.

1st runner up. Landing at an airfield and calling into retrieve desk for an aero tow. It does however, really help if they give the right airfield. To much dismay, I was presented the Uffda cup only after I discovered I didn't bring the Uffda cup to the banquet! I was given absolutely no slack. I made amends the next morning by presenting it along with Rick to Bob Salvo. He will have fond memories with each cup of coffee he drinks.So ends another wonderful week with better people you could find nowhere! They have become family to us and until next year, here are a few pictures.

Ingrid