mmg.com.au

It was a last-minute decision that moved the 50th Australian National Multi-Class Gliding Championships to Tocumwal last week.

The event was due to be in Narromine but due to a gloomy weather forecast, organisers feared they would not have enough flying days for the tournament.

Within 24 hours of the championship’s opening day, organisers made the brave decision to move the event to Tocumwal Airfield — a shift which injected $250000 into the economy.

Event organiser Beryl Hartley explained what she and contest director Chris Stephens were thinking moments before the competition’s scheduled start.

‘‘We thought, ‘Okay, there is a 90 per cent chance we won’t have a competition in Narromine. We have to be very brave and make a decision here’,’’ Hartley said.

Her team made phone calls to SportAviation, sought permission from Berrigan Shire and once given the go ahead they called motels to organise accommodation for the 90 people arriving at Tocumwal for the event.

The move paid off, with the contest starting just one day late on February 2 and its 50 entrants enjoyed eight days of good flying conditions.

Winner of the 18m Class was national champion Bruce Taylor, who is set to compete in Uvalde, Texas in July.

He said the competition was good preparation for the approaching challenge overseas.

‘‘It’s very important to practice flying all the time, especially at the national championships where you’re competing at a good high level,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘I’m feeling really comfortable in a glider at the moment and if you’re very comfortable, you can devote yourself to what’s going on outside the cockpit.’’

Terry Cubley, who won the 15m Class event, was selected as the Australian team manager in Uvalde and Peter Temple took out the Standard Class trophy.

Agata Kaszczuk, 24, came all the way from Poland to compete in the championship in preparation for Poland’s National Championships in July.

‘‘It’s the first time I am here and I want to learn to fly here because it’s really different from Poland,’’ she said.

Instructor and glider pilot Wes Myszak said the extra practice would give Kaszczuk an edge over her competitors.

‘‘Now in Poland it’s -20°C and no-one is flying so she can get an extra advantage over other juniors.’’

Participating gliders competed for trophies and rankings in an upcoming international event.

The tournament presentation dinner was at Tocumwal Golf Club on Saturday night.