US Soaring Team News

Through a generous gift, the necessary endowment for an 18 Meter Nationals trophy is in place. However, as yet we have no trophy, and would like to rectify this situation in time to present it to the 2009 winner. As such, we would like to request proposals from the SSA membership for its design and construction.

Since this will be a traveling trophy, awarded each year on the site of the competition, it must be sturdy, robust, and come with a stout container to protect it against damage. It would also be beneficial to have appropriate surfaces for the inscription on winners for a considerable number of years. Beyond that, creativity and ingenuity are encouraged, and all proposals will be thoroughly reviewed by the endowment donor and the SSA Awards Chairman, Jay McDaniel.

The deadline for receipt of proposals will be December 31, 2008, and the winner will be announced by January 31, 2009, subject to approval of the design by the SSA’s Board of Directors. Completion of construction by the final day of the 2009 18 Meter Nationals will be mandatory.

Kindly forward design and cost information to Doug Jacobs (soarer@cox.net) and Jay McDaniel (soaringjay@cox.net).

08/02/08 - 30th FAI WGC begins in LüSSE
Team Blog Tasks & Scores	WGC Site Lüsse Weather	Thanks for your support!

07/06/08 - 30th FAI WGC begins in Rieti


Team Blog Scores	WGC Site Rieti Weather

06/15/08 - ClearNav Raffle has a winner!

We are pleased to announce that the winner of the new ClearNav sailplane navigation system so generously donated by NK Enterprises. The winner is well known Genesis driver Bob Salvo of Nashua, NH. Congratulations to Bob!

The drawing took place on June 15 at the Region 1 Championships mandatory pilots meeting. With instrument designer and ClearNav development team member Dave Ellis watching, Barbara Ellis picked the winner to the applause of all in attendance.

The ClearNav raffle has been an outstanding fundraising success, and was heavily supported by SSA members and the competition community. Over 420 tickets were sold, raising in excess of $10,500. Our heartfelt thanks to all who bought tickets and especially to Richard Kellerman of NK who spearheaded the donation effort.

The US Teams headed shortly for Rieti, Italy and Lüsse, Germany are very grateful for the support shown by all. Many, many thanks.

05/10/08 - US TEAM MINI CAMP SLATED FOR MONTAGUE
Team Lüsse pilots Rick Walters and Garret Willat will be hosting a US Team training seminar in conjunction with the Montague Sports Nationals and concurrent Regional. Dates will be June 29 -July 5 and they will provide a morning session as well as individual ground instruction. There will be no fee but donations to the US Team will of course be welcomed. Participants must be entrants in either the Sports Nationals or the concurrent Regional.

02/15/08 - Nielsen-Kellerman Donates ClearNav for Team Raffle - Drawing to be held June 15
This new soaring instrument, a $2800 value, has been generously donated by NK to support the USA Team. Each donation to the team of $25 gets one chance to win. Enter as many times as you like. For detailed product information click here.

Thanks for your support!

02/14/08 - NEW TEAM LOGO DEBUTS
Through the generosity and creative efforts of Sandie Ihlenfeldt, a graphic artist from Steamboat Springs Colorado the USA Team has a new logo. Thanks to Sandie for her efforts and to Leigh Zimmerman for facilitating the project.

02/12/08 - Robertson/Woods TrustS Yield $20.6K in 2007
See the complete calculation document here.

01/19/08 - KS and DJ to continue "ride along" program in 2008
Both Karl Striedieck and Doug Jacobs will be providing the opportunity to ride along with them during 2008 contests.

KS will be flying dual at the Seniors (waiting list), Perry (seats available), Parowan (waiting list) and Fairfield (seats available).

DJ will be flying dual at the Seniors (waiting list) and possibly Sugarbush during the Region 1 mini camp.

Seventeen time national champion, record setter and frequent team
member Karl Striedieck has been providing one-on-one competition
and performance cross-country flights in his Duo Discus, while
contributing the proceeds to US soaring team funding. In 2007 Karl
raised over $4,000 for the team with over $30,000 in total contributions since starting the program. Karl very generously covers the costs of the program. Over the several years since Karl started the program upwards of 85 lucky pilots have had an unparallel experience in competition and performance soaring. Karl's effort and dedication exemplifies the best in the sport and the team. Thank you Karl!

01/21/08 - US TEAM MINI CAMP SLATED FOR REGION 1
Come one, come all to the beautiful Mad River Valley where, from June 15-21 we’ll host the Region 1 Championships at the fabled Sugarbush Airport, home of so many great contests. We’ll soar the Green Mountains of Vermont (and maybe even the Whites of New Hampshire), enjoy the great restaurants and hospitality of the Sugarbush area as well as the camaraderie of fellow soaring types from the Northeast. We plan to race in 15 Meter, Standard, and Sports Class, and this will be a no-water contest. See more on this camp...

01/08/2008 - ZIMMERMAN WINS COMMITTEE ELECTION
In a closely contested election, Sam Zimmerman won a three year term to the US Team Committee, edging out John Godfrey and Bill Elliot. Congratulations to Sam, and many thanks to John and Bill for their interest in supporting our international competition efforts. Sam will take over from Tim Welles, who has done outstanding work over two terms for the Committee. More on the US team committee...

01/08/2008 - JUNIOR CONTEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2007 RECAPPED
Aside form the Junior World Gliding Championships in Italy (see the team here) John Campbell, Chairman of the SSA Youth Committee, recaps 2007 junior pilot achievements. "A new young pilot on the scene this year was Boyd Willat (Garret's younger brother), who flew Region 9 and the Std Nationals. Corey Sullivan placed best for the year at the Sports Nationals and also best at the 15m Nationals and looks to be our 2007 Junior Champion. Devin Bargainnier was just a few places behind him at both contests, and both pilots also flew Region 3. Kevin Christner made it to the Sports Nationals in now his 3rd self-owned glider at age 21 (a Mosquito). Sylvia Szafarczyk flew Region 9S in her first own glider (a Libelle). The USAFA was very active on the contest scene with their new X/C coach Matty Matticola) and Discus gliders (Duos and D2bs, contest numbers 4AF through 8AF). They flew Region 9, 9 South and 10. Junior National Champion (Rudy Mozer trophy) best percentage of winner's score at ALL Nationals was Corey Sullivan (.8730 SPT) Nationals Junior Award (Bronze Medallion) best percentage of winner's score at a Nationals Corey Sullivan, Sports Class (.8730) Corey Sullivan, 15m Class (.7391) Boyd Willat, Standard Class (.5637)." For more on the 2007 Junior achievements see the SSA Youth page here.

See 2007 U.S. Team News Here