The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
37th City of Turin Trophy - Gliders Towards the World Air Games 2009
Organized by the local flying club, the Turin/Aeritalia airfield hosted recently the 37th City of Turin Trophy. The competition was organized in two classes: 15 m Class and Open Class with handicap system, to place all pilots at the same level, despite different types and performance of their sailplanes. The competition comprised three race sessions for each class (on March 27 and April 3-4) set up in the March 27-April 5, 2009, period.
A total of 9 pilots applied for the event in the 15 m class, coming from all over Italy, and 22 in the Open Class, including one Polish crew, but actually only 19 took part in the Open races.
Luca De Marchi, of Aero Club Volovelistico del Mugello (based at Borgo San Lorenzo airfield near Florence), flying a Ventus 2a sailplane, was the 15 m Class final winner, having scored a first place in the first race and two second positions in the second and third races.
Luca Cavelli, belonging to Aero Club Giannino Paro (Biella airport), flying a Rolladen Schneider LS-8, was the Open Class final winner, having scored three good positions: second place in the first race, fifth place in the second race and fourth place in the third race.
The race days were characterized by very variable weather which forced the Sport Commission to cancel three race sessions.
In preparation of the next World Air Games 2009 organized by FAI (The World Air Sports Federation), which will be hold, next June, in the same location, new glider racing rules were introduced. Very effective digital visual aids were also tested, to give spectators a real-time coverage of the sailplane competitions included in the WAG 2009 programme.
Also in relation to the forthcoming WAG 2009, Brian Spreckley UK FAI delegate flew aboard a Duo Discus together with the competing gliders to verify the new procedures and the features of the race field of the next Aviation Olympic Games.
15 m Class general results, including pilot name, glider type, registration marks, race number, parent club and total score.
Open Class (handicap) general results, including pilot name, glider type, registration marks, race number, parent club and total score.
In the picture: Next June, the Turin/Aeritalia airport will host the sailplane races of the World Air Games 2009. (Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, April 2009)