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Flatter than the Flatlands
2001
Summary
For me the Flatter than the Flatlands competition starts on the 15th of January
when entries open. Very early on that day in fact. At 12:05 in the morning there
was a little rustle at the door as the first entry was shoved under the door.
Mid-afternoon the next day the competition was full. And so another Birchip comp
begins.
Day 1
Easter Friday started out the way the previous year ended. Sunny, stable with a
low inversion at about 3200'. The task was called to Litchfield a common flight
for this competition and a distance of 55km. Nine pilots made goal with the top
place-getters no surprise. One surprise, however, was that icon of Victorian
hang gliding, Gary Hickson, making goal for the first time after probably 20
years of flying in his trusty old EF.
1. Tim Osborne 2. Rohan Holtkamp 3. Brent Telford Day 2
Saturday morning and the Flatter than the Flatlands Competition
finally got the mainstream attention it has always deserved when I was
interviewed live on The Puma Sports Show on a Melbourne western suburbs
community radio station. Out in the paddock a fresh northwesterly was blowing
which was interesting as a light southerly was forecast. This time it was
off to Coonooer Bridge 77km to the southwest. The inversion had risen to a
very respectable 6000' and the day was very competitive with 13 pilots at goal
and only a couple of minutes separating the top three pilots with a dead heat
for second place. Hicko was there again on the biggest roll of his life and
Kathy Kelly made goal for the first time. Wes Hill, our trusty scorer, landed a
couple of hundred meters short. Beavo after, having not the greatest of years,
was carted off to hospital with kidney stones! The morning briefings included a
daily update of his medical exploits.
1. Rohan Holtkamp 2. Brent Telford 2. Tim Osborne Day 3
Similar conditions to the previous day but a bit more west sent the field
down towards Wychetella 73km to the southeast near Charlton. It paid to be in
the air early as the wind swung off during the afternoon and the day was shut
down by a layer of upper level cloud. Hugh Satchel was the only one to make goal
and got the only 1000 pointer for the competition. The rest of the field were
spread widely back down the course. Jorj Adamson, after getting an 800 fpm
boomer out of the tow paddock landed after 42km at a rifle range during
practice. Luckily it wasn't duck season!
1. Hugh Satchel 2. Tony Lowrey 3. Tim Osborne Day 4
Although the window to get out of the paddock was fairly short on the Monday
it proved to be one of the best flying days in the nine year history of the
competition. Amazing stories of people flying the entire 52km course to
Teddywaddy with 2 thermals were common. For a day that initially appeared quite
stable, heights of 8,500 feet were recorded with strong, smooth lift
abundant. Not really typical conditions for Easter in Victoria. Of course all
this is hearsay as I was one of those left in the paddock cursing my luck as the
wind swung off to the southwest. But the buzz in the goal paddock was electric
with 24 happy pilots sharing the last of the goal beers for the year. Brendon
Rolland won the day, flying the course in 1hr 17 minutes. Even Adam Toogood and
his passenger made it in flying the tandem! Summary
Consistency won the day as is usually the case in hang gliding competitions
and Tim Osborne took out the Flatter than the Flatlands for 2001. As was
expected Rohan Holtkamp and Brent Telford were not far behind in a tightly
fought competition. However, good humor that has always characterized this
competition was always apparent and everyone, it seems, had a good time. Thanks
to our sponsors:
The ever generous Danny Scott, Dynamic Flight, Aeros, Moyes Gliders and
Airborne. Thanks also to:
Beavo for his help in running this funny old comp., Ian Mc Clelland and Russell
Trollop for the paddock and strip preparation, Mick Hogan and the Birchip Hotel
for the Competition Headquarters, The CFA for our presentation BBQ, Carolyn and
Chris our trusty goalies, Wes for the scores, Jo, Adam and Vanessa, Nicky, Peter
Lissenberg, all of Team Clown, the entire town of friendly Birchip (it wouldn't
be the same without you!) and all those people who helped out as I ran around
like a madman. Thanks also for the weather, four out of four yet again! Overall
Top Ten Placings
1. Tim Osborne
2. Rohan Holtkamp
3. Brent Telford
4. Hugh Satchel
5. Tony Lowery
6. Wes Hill
7. Ian Rees
8. Jeff Rickard
9. Shane Holtkamp
10. Ben Kennedy
Team Winner
Cloudsucks
State Challenge
Victoria
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