This article by Chuck Base was first published in the Airflow newsletter, March 1991 edition.
The Wimmera Soaring Club has been hosting Horsham Week since 1963 and during that time has gained a reputation throughout the gliding fraternity as a low-key and well-run competition enjoyed by all.
For the past seven years, I have been attending these comps in the capacity as crew for Kilo Yankee Victor and other members of GCV, I was, therefore "persuaded" to write this article.
Horsham Week is held during the first week of February and this year entrants came from as far as Queensland to participate. Competition is held over eight days caters for all classes. Entry fees this year were $15.00 per day or $80.00 per week. Aerotow were REDUCED to $20.00.
The weather was reasonable for the week with some good tasks being flown, unfortunately, we did lose two days due to bad weather, however, this gave me the opportunity to brush up on my tenni9s skills at the expense of Ross Glen.
As the week progressed, two things become apparent - firstly, Darcy Hogan, Shaun Driscoll, and Aaron Stroop were flying well and in addition, were returning each day (which was a bonus for me) and the three of them were featuring in the top six places in Open Class.
Secondly, Ross Glen and Vivienne Bartholomew were featuring in the bottom six places in Standard Class, although Vivienne outlanded each day she flew, I am sure she would have learned from her experience. All the GCV people at Horsham have encouraged her to fly again next year, but this time to take the Motor Falke.
The highlight of the week was Darcy Hohan who eventually won Open Class, closely followed by Shaun Driscoll and Aaron Stroop.
As for myself, I intend to share a glider next year and experience the joys of viewing the countryside from above, instead of viewing it from the ground level - usually with Ross Caroll's or Bruce Cowan's trailer in tow.
I can thoroughly recommend Horsham Week to any pilot. If you wish to experience gliding away from Benalla and enjoy the hospitality of the Wimmera Soaring Club, this is the place to go.
See ya there!