[grand Prix] 2006

[Administrateur]

NEW ZEALAND SET TO REVOLUTIONISE COMPETITIVE GLIDING WITH SUCCESSFUL QUALIFYING GRAND PRIX BID

 

The International Gliding Commission Bureau has confirmed New Zealand will host the first of the National Grand Prix events in 2006. These events, planned to be held worldwide, will qualify top-ranked pilots for the second World Sailplane Grand Prix in 2007. The New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix will take place in Omarama in New Zealand’s South Island from 21-29 January 2006.

 

Bob Henderson, IGC president, said of the successful bid, “New Zealand’s bid for Omarama in 2006 was supported because it offers tremendous gliding opportunities amongst a dramatic landscape with few, if any, air space restrictions relative to the scale of this event. The Bureau also supported Omarama as a site as there is existing infrastructure in place that will provide the critical support required to run a successful event.”

 

An invitation-only event, the New Zealand Grand Prix will feature the world’s top pilots, including New Zealanders John Coutts, the current world champion, and Terry Delore, distance soaring record holder. Respected mountain soaring instructor, Gavin Wills, will set the tasks and they promise to be some of the most challenging ever set, with New Zealand’s spectacular alpine scenery providing an additional element of excitement.

 

In addition, the New Zealand Grand Prix aims to change the face of competitive gliding by making it a compulsive spectator sport using next generation TV technology from Animation Research, of America’s Cup fame, and a giant outdoor screen. A new type of stabilised helicopter camera system will also be used so send live pictures back to the airfield. Work is already well underway to secure international media coverage and attract 10 -15,000 spectators to watch the event live from Omarama Airfield over the three public days of the event from 27-29 January.

 

“Our goal for the New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix is to create an exciting new spectator sport, heightening public awareness of the extraordinary skill and daring these elite pilots show,” said competition organiser, Peter Newport. “The recent Worlds in France proved the new Grand Prix rules work, producing a safe, fast and exciting event the pilots all enjoyed. The tight, dramatic finishes of the races are exactly what gliding needs if it is to become a spectator and mass media sport.”

 

Internationally-renowned soaring conditions and fast, demanding racing from the world’s best pilots, combined with interaction from thousands of spectators will ensure the New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix is the first in an exiting new generation of gliding competitions. Spectators will also enjoy a wealth of on-ground activities as well as other aerial entertainment. Tickets go on sale from 1 November with further information available from www.gp06.com.

 

Plus d'info : http://www.gp06.com/

[Stéphane]

An invitation-only event,

 

Bizarre, ça, s'il s'agit d'une compétition de qualification! Moi qui croyais que le but de la nouvelle formule était AUSSI d'attirer de nouveaux compétiteurs, voilà qu'on les exclut d'emblée. Je parie pourtant qu'il y en a qui n'aiment pas les concours classiques, mais qui aimeraient essayer ce type d'épreuves.

[Administrateur]

Programme 

 

Running from 21-29 January, the New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix is open to the public over the final three days of racing, 27-29 January 2006. These final three days of racing will decide the overall champion and the competition is guaranteed to be action-packed and nail-bitingly close with top pilots from all over the world, including current world champion, New Zealander John Coutts, all vying for the richest prize in gliding history.

 

As well as getting caught up in the Grand Prix itself, spectators can enjoy a host of on-ground activities and other aerial entertainment including aerobatic displays, wine and food stalls, classic cars, children’s fairground rides and an opportunity to try gliding for themselves.

 

Full details of the daily schedule will be added to this website when confirmed. If you wish to be kept up to date with the progress of the event, register on our emailing address to receive regular updates.

 

Plus d'infos : http://www.gp06.com/

[Administrateur]

Un pilote francais en New-Zeland !!

 

ELITE PILOTS ANNOUNCED FOR NEW ZEALAND GLIDING GRAND PRIX

 

In a world first, the New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix has brought together the sport’s top pilots from around the world to compete head-to-head in one of the fastest and most exciting gliding events ever.

 

From New Zealand, current overall world champion, John Coutts joins world distance record holder Terry Delore of Christchurch and Ben Flewett of Auckland, who is currently ranked number two in New Zealand. They will take on the best of the rest of the world. Nominated by their National Federations, the international pilots include three former world champions and a multitude of national champions.

 

Poland’s Sebastian Kawa is currently ranked number one in the world on the IGC pilot rankings, just ahead of John Coutts who sits at second. Kawa was World Champion (Club Class) in 2004 and Junior World Champion in 2003 and also won the 1st World Sailplane Grand Prix in September 2005.

 

Other world champions attending are Olivier Darroze of France who won the title (World Class) in 2001 and Italy’s current national champion, Giorgio Galetto who held the world title in 1999.

 

Peter Harvey from the UK is current British Champion, European Champion (Open Class) and British Overseas Champion while David Mockler is the current US National Champion and the USA’s highest rated pilot based on the combined performance rankings over the last three years.

 

Uli Schwenk of Germany recently won the Viking Glide in Sweden, a pre-cursor to the 2006 World Championships, and Graham Parker will cross the Tasman as one of Australia’s top pilots.

 

“This is the first time these pilots have competed together as they usually race in different classes,” said Grand Prix director, Peter Newport. “The Grand Prix will see them all flying Standard Class. These planes are the ‘Ferraris’ of gliding and are highly maneuverable with a wingspan of just 15m and carry three very sophisticated computer systems on board. The general public will be astounded as they watch these elite pilots push themselves and their aircraft to their limits, racing head-to-head at speeds of up to 300kph, at times just metres above the ground.”

 

The New Zealand Gliding Grand Prix takes place from 21-29 January in Omarama with the final three days of the event open to the public. A giant outdoor screen, fed by the most advanced TV graphics and live helicopter filming ever seen, together with live commentary, will keep crowds in the thick of the of the action, creating a brand new adrenalin-charged spectator event set to change the face of competitive gliding.

 

For further information and tickets, visit http://www.gp06.com.

 

Source : http://www.gp06.com/Pilots%20Announced.pdf

[Administrateur]

Dear Friends

 

Qualifying Sailplane Grand Prix 2006

 

The interest in the SGP events for 2006 as been great following the very successful 1st World Sailplane Grand Prix held in St Auban by the FFVV.

 

As a result the Bureau decided in our mid-year meeting in October to extend the time for bids for Qualifying Grand Prix events in 2006 to 31st December 2005. Incomplete bids will not be accepted.

 

Currently we have accepted the following 2006 Qualifying Grand Prix events:;

• The New Zealand Sailplane Grand Prix – January 2006

• The United States Sailplane Grand Prix – July 2006

• The South African Sailplane Grand Prix – December 2006

• The Australian Sailplane Grand Prix (site yet to be determined) – December 2006

 

As a result the Bureau decided in our mid-year meeting in October to extend the time for bids for Qualifying Grand Prix events in 2006 to 31st December 2005. Incomplete bids will not be accepted.

 

The reason for choosing this date is to ensure that the pilots who fly at Omarama, New Zealand, in January 2006 will know how many places are available for qualification towards the 2nd World Sailplane Grand Prix in 2007.

 

IGC Bureau mid-year meeting

 

A very successful Bureau meeting was held in Paris in early October. My thanks again to our colleagues at the FFVV for their hospitality and the use of their offices.

 

Key points from this meeting were:

 

• President of Honour Tor Johannessen was nominated as the accredited IGC Representative to CASI. Tor was subsequently elected as a member of the CASI Bureau.

 

• The Business Development Group is to be re-constituted.

 

• A draft set of IGC Strategic Improvement Actions was accepted and these will be published for the 2006 Plenary.

 

• Dates for the Championships in 2007 and 2008 overlap so some dates will need to be adjusted.

 

• All Organisers and Stewards are to be reminded that safety is paramount at all Championships.

 

• The closing date for bids for the Women’s 2009 Championship are to be extended to the 15th of December 2005.

 

• Sailplane Grand Prix events are to be limited to a maximum of 20 competitors. Qualifying Grand Prix events must have at least 5 places available for international pilots. Only one QGP will be accepted per country. Pilots may fly as many QGP as they wish to gain entry into the following World Sailplane Grand Prix.

 

• Further work is required to define the role of the Chef Steward.

 

FAI General Conference

 

The FAI general General Conference was a grand affair, with the functions being quite stunning – both the venues and the banquets. The Centenary Dinner on the last evening was magnificent and it was a pleasure to be able to be present to recognise and applaud the outstanding achievements of eight men and eight women from all air sports and across the years for their contributions to aviation and for their achievements.

 

Sweden 2006 Website

 

 

The website for The 29th FAI Multi Class World Gliding Championships is now online at http://www.wgc2006.se/index.php.

 

Anything else that you think should be included???

 

 

Bob Henderson

President, IGC

September 21st November 10, 2005

[Administrateur]

Site de l'equipe US : http://www.grandprix06.com/

[Fred]

Olivier Darroze

 

IGC ranking 26

Number of years gliding 16

Home town St Auban

Age 31

Occupation Gliding Instructor

Family Partner with one son

 

Throughout Olivier’s studies his head was more in the air than in his books, spending his time waiting, until he reached the minimum age for gliding, working on model airplanes. By the age of 20 he had achieved his instructor’s licence and he spent his military service instructing at the French National Gliding Centre (CNVV). Since starting his competitive career at 19, Olivier was French Junior National Champion three times, French National Champion and took the title of World Champion in the World Class in Spain in 2001.“ I’m delighted to come to your beautiful country and do my best against great pilots.”

 

Have fun "naaan maiiiiisss serieuuuux" !

[Administrateur]

The richest cash prize in gliding history was confirmed today with the winner of the New

Zealand Community Trust Gliding Grand Prix receiving $10,000, together with the

impressive Anaro Group Cup.

 

Source : http://www.gp06.com/images/Anaro.pdf

[Fred]

Alleeeeeeez Oliiiiv'

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%203/Darroze.jpg

[Invité Invité_benj_*]

plus d'infos sur le site de l'équipe de France.

www.eqf-volavoile.net

[Invité Invité_Benj_*]

En plus y'a un livre d'or, vous pouvez donc lui passer un peu d'encouragements...

[Fred]

Apres 3 epreuves Oliv' est dans le trio de tete !

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%204/Darroze.jpg

[Fred]

De belles photos sur : http://www.gp06.com/gallery.php

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%206/Pilots_Crew.jpg

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%206/Hawea.jpg

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%206/Hunter_Landout.jpg

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%206/Aerotow.jpg

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%207/Delore.jpg

 

http://www.gp06.com/images/gallery/fullsize/Day%207/Schwenk.jpg

[Thierry]

Le pays à l'air vraiment très sympa et la jeune fille sur la photo précédente à l'air très très très sympa!!!! :lol:

[Bruno J]

Belle vidéo à http://www.gp06.com/video/index.htm

Ça fait vraiment envie

Quand on verra ça à la télé comme la 'Route du Rhum', on aura gagné……

[D-5434]

En fait, c'est l'assemblée générale des agoraphobes! :rolleyes:

Il y a de la place ....

http://www.delta-omega.com/download/divers/agora_AG.jpg

Modifié le 28 janvier 2006 par D-5434

[benj]

Pas de dernière épreuve... dommage, notre Olive national semblait pas trop mal placé pour grapiller quelques points.

Il reste donc 6ème au général...

On lui souhaite un bon retour au pays du froid! ;-)

Et qu'il nous ramène la chaleur, svp!!!

 

Le staff équipe de France

eqf-volavoile.net

[Invité Yves]

- Trés chouette site. :rolleyes:

- "Assemblée des agoraphobes", non grace à internet le public = tous les vélivoles du monde... D'ou l'importance d'avoir un site internet qui tiennent la route. . Ce serait même interessant d'avoir le détail des connections (nbr., origines) pour évaluer le retentissement de la compétition.

- T.B. les petites vidéos, un style rapide, informatif, de belles images et surtout c'est compréhensible par un public non vélivole : on voit la course ! J'espère que cet été Vinon fera aussi bien. :rolleyes:

[Lionel]

Et qu'il nous ramène la chaleur, svp!!!

 

l'ET aussi si possible :rolleyes:

Modifié le 30 janvier 2006 par Lionel

[Invité Invité_Christophe_*]

J'en connait un qui s'est vaché (dans un champ) au départ d'Omarama il y 3 jours, mais il m'a dit que les paysages sont tellement iréels que cela valait bien une vache par vol...

 

Voler c'est bien, planer c'est mieux

[Denis F]

"Assemblée des agoraphobes", non grace à internet le public = tous les vélivoles du monde... D'ou l'importance d'avoir un site internet qui tiennent la route. . Ce serait même interessant d'avoir le détail des connections (nbr., origines) pour évaluer le retentissement de la compétition.

Le succès a été tel qu'il a fait exploser les serveurs internet du principal fournisseur d'accès néo-zélandalais (!)

 

L'histoire ne dit pas au bout si les 30 000 billets de spectateurs à 300$ ont été épuisés au bout de quelques heures...?

Please find below information on the international success of the New Zealand Community Trust Gliding Grand Prix.

Thanks

Victoria

 

Victoria Murray-Orrthe eveNZ consultancypr - marketing - event management

-------------------------------T: +64 (0)3 443 2700F: +64 (0)3 443 2702M: +64 (0)275 617 893W: www.evenz.co.nz--------------------------------

 

 

 

GLIDING POPULARITY CHALLENGES NEW ZEALAND'S TOP WEB HOSTING COMPANY

The international success of the New Zealand Community Trust Gliding Grand Prix was highlighted this week when leading New Zealand web hosting company, iSERVE, had to temporarily reduce its level of service due to unexpected high demand from overseas traffic.

 

iSERVE quickly rectified the problem by disabling the www.gp06.com web site and moving several video files to a US based server restoring the web site within half an hour. This subsequently reinstated full service to its other New Zealand customers who had lost international connectivity to their websites as a result of the site’s popularity.

 

"This is unprecedented for gliding," said Grand Prix director, Peter Newport. "Never before has the sport attracted so much attention, proving the Grand Prix achieved it's main objective of raising awareness of gliding and providing these world class pilots with the recognition they deserve. If we can keep the momentum going the future for gliding is looking very bright indeed."

 

At its peak, the gp06.com web site was receiving over 30,000 hits an hour with visitors requesting 12,103,140KB of data a day. Most popular downloads were video action of the final days' racing featuring the world's top pilots as the did battle in the skies over Omarama for the prestigious Anaro Group Cup and a secured place in next year's World Sailplane Grand Prix. The overall winner was New Zealand's Ben Flewett with Giorgio Galetto of Italy second and Poland's Sebastian Kawa third.

 

iSERVE is New Zealand's top web hosting company and last year was ranked 10th fastest growing company in the Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 Awards and was 87th on the Asia Pacific list.

 

-ends-

Modifié le 3 février 2006 par Denis F