The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
38th City of Turin Trophy 2010 – Two-Seaters Gliders to the Fore
Continuing what has become an annual event since 1962, and with the patronage of the City of Turin, the City of Collegno, the Province of Turin and the Region of Piedmont, the Aero Club of Torino organized its 38th international soaring competition “Trofeo Città di Torino”, launching from the Turin/Aeritalia airfield. The competition took place across two separate weekends, March 26-27-28 and April 2-3-4-5 2010. Tuesday the 6th of April was designated as the reserve day.
The competition was held under the 2010 Italian Rules and organized as a single Open class, covering Standard, 15 m and Open Class gliders, using a handicap system designed to give all pilots an equal chance despite the different types and performance of their sailplanes. The competition comprised four race sessions (on March 27-28 and April 2-5).
A total of 25 pilots, all Italian, applied to participate, but only 24 actually took part in the event. The competition was ranked by the IGC (FAI International Gliding Commission).
Alberto Sironi, of ACAO - Aero Club Adele Orsi (based at Calcinate del Pesce airfield near Varese), flying a Duo Discus two-seater powered sailplane, was the winner, with a victory in the first and fourth races, fifth place in the second race and third position in the third race.
Vittorio Squarciafico of the Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica VoloaVelaNovi, flying a Schempp Hirt Duo Discus two-seater, came second after scoring four good positions: third in the first race, ninth in the second race, sixth in the third race and third again in the fourth race, notwithstanding an out-field landing.
At first glance, the results of the 38th City of Turin Trophy 2010 highlighted the superiority of the high-performance two-seater gliders in direct comparison with single-seater pure racers. It is well known that the combination of pilot skill and aircraft flying qualities makes the difference, as usual. It is also worth mentioning that pilots flying powered gliders (power to be used in emergency only) can face the demanding situations which arise during a race with greater serenity.
As happened in 2009, this year’s City of Turin Trophy was conditioned by variable weather which forced the Sport Commission to reduce the planned race sessions. Due to thick clouds forming over the Alps, two races were particularly unfavourable for the pilots. Nineteen sailplanes were unable to complete the first race, while Sironi and Brunazzo – both flying powered gliders – were the only pilots able to finish the fourth (400-km long) race.
Open Class (handicap) general results, including pilot name, glider type (wingspan), registration marks, race number, parent club and total score.
In the picture: Starting grid of the first session of the 38th international soaring competition “Trofeo Città di Torino”. Turin/Aeritalia airport, on March 27, 2010. (Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, April 2010)