Several other old friends are here, including Gerhard Waibel, designer of the Schleicher series: ASW 12 to ASW 22 and more. We have had four contest days out of five. Yesterday was no contest because the sky was overcast and there were no thermals. Today was a blue sky day with tasks set for all three classes, but it was evidently very difficult. Almost all the Open Calls got round the task but the 18 metrs and 15 metre classes had very many outlandings. Actually they often do not land out but start their engines, which is recorded on the data logger so they score as if they had landed. The list of leaders has been thrown into disorder but no doubt the usual people will work their ay up again. Now we have a violent thunderstorm in progress with worse predicted overnight but, with luck, it will clear by dawn and leave a bright day behind.

The OSTIV Congress is interesting as usual. We had a fairly posh reception in the Town Hall at the town of Beltzig, which is the local metropolis and might actually be marked on your atlas. I don't suppose Lüsse will be. The oamin interest for me was a full report on the new design for an Open Class sailplane to be built in the USA. It will be 28 metres span with an aspect ratio of 52+:1, higher than any other. We used to think 25:1 was high. A lot of research has gone into the design and work has started.

Best wishes
Martin.

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