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Daily Bulletin No. 2    24th Annual U. S. National Soaring Competitions

Wednesday, July 3, 1957: Second Contest Day

Things got up a bit today. The Contest Committee selected a moderate task in keeping with the weather conditions; a goal race to Tri-Cities airport, 41 miles east. Thirteen of the 29 contestants reached the goal in times ranging from 50 minutes for Hoverman to [[ 244?]] minutes for Stan Smith. As usual for a speed event where everyone does not complete the task, the last man who does finish would have made more points by landing a mile short. If he only knew he was the slowest. Stan struggled through but only earned 348 points which means that everyone who didn't finish got somewhat less. That included a number of those who placed high up today. it was a warm day with temperatures near 90 degrees. A broad warm front had arrived although there was little cooling from the few showers that accompanied it in other nearby areas. the air was moist and there was a general cloud cover of low cus[[?]].

There was a ridge to cross just before arriving at the goal which many pilots couldn't quite make. Schreder figured on using just one thermal, which he did, but pushed it too hard on the glide in to be able to clear the ridge.

Thursday, July 4, 1957: Third Day

No contest day, as it turned out. it was suspenseful, though, because nobody knew for shire whether two pilots had made a minimum distance of 32 mules. Conditions were poor as more overcast moved in after the task had been set; a 100 km. triangular speed course having turning points of the Blue Swan Airport at Waverly and the Ithaca Municipal Airport. Start-Finish planes were established and the flights began. It soon became apparent that lift was spotty and poor. A few passes were made over the start plane but many of the ships had come back in for subsequent tries. And then the bumping began. As per the rules those who did not have a score better than 1/3 of the average of the top three had to give way on the starting line to those above. Some made as many as three tries with most pilots finally deciding to at least make a glide to O'Brien's Restaurant near the first turning point for free steak dinners. Rumors started up that one pilot had exceeded 32 miles and another had 31 so that tended to clear the hanger. When the landing cards were in, Graham Thomson had 36 miles and Joe Lincoln had 29. Many others up to the second leg a few miles or going back a mile to O'Brien's. r. O'Brien had his show and served his steak to some seven pilots and their crews.

A large crowd saw all the take-offs and landings. Notable personages making visits were peter Riedel, Earl Southee, representatives of the Royal Dutch Gliding Club and Earl Brooks


Bill Bowley arrived the evening before and made an attempt at the course in his 1-23F. His late arrival was due to a son being born on the opening day. A telegram to the effect was read at the Wednesday pilots' announcing that the new boy was expected to be a National Champion in 1980. He'll have to soar it out with Max Licher.

Another personal: Dick Schreder got married just a few day before the contest started and is honeymooning between flights.

LLoyd M. Licher