Cambridge University Gliding Club

CUGC welcome OUGC to Gransden for their annual varsity match. Hope to see lots of you applying for places on the team or just coming along for the social.

On Saturday 20th September, one of the most hard fought competitions of the summer was finally completed. Gliding varsity happened at last!

The competition was due to happen way back in June, when a full team from Oxford came up to Gransden to join us for a weekend of flying. However, the weather was against us and we sat in the clubhouse watching the rain and low clouds. A few members of each team were able to stay and fly on the Monday, with 2 scoring flights made by each team. Current scores; Oxford 213, Cambridge 261.

Further attempts were made to organise a rematch throughout the summer vacation, but weather or availability let us down. And so, the teams reconvened on this bright, sunny Saturday, with not a cloud in the sky (not so great for thermals!). However, the forecast looked promising, so we all rigged and towed out, then sat around wondering who would be first to go. The Oxford team, Seb and Philippa, had their check flights, and Graham took a launch in CU, but nobody stayed up for very long.

 Adam launched in the Discus, and somehow managed to find the weak lift in the blue. He was soon climbing away, and so I decided to follow him in CU. We both made respectable scoring flights, though the day was still young. next to fly were Seb, and then Philippa in CU. Seb did very well, with a height gain of over 3000ft, and at that point in time had the highest scoring flight....

Never fear, silver C pilots are here! Graham in the Discus, and then Peter B in the Pegase out-soared us all, putting Cambridge firmly back in the lead. Peter had a particularly spectacular flight, with an overall height gain of almost 6000ft! Well done to all the team, with special thanks to our trusty reserves Kate and Brendan.

Overall scores: Oxford 396, Cambridge 558

Yey, we won!!! Thanks to everyone for all your efforts.

Becca 

As you may be aware, the dates for the IUTW have been pushed back a week and are now 19th to 27th July. The IUTW is a massed competition between university gliding clubs, where points are achieved for doing almost anything - from first solo to cross-country flights.

This means there is no real excuse for not entering, so let's put out a big contingent and come top of the table! Let me know if you're keen.