The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
39th City of Turin Trophy 2011 – A Very Demanding Race
Continuing what has become an annual event since 1962, the Aero Club of Torino organized its 39th international soaring competition “Trofeo Città di Torino”, launching from the Turin/Aeritalia airport. The competition took place across two separate weekends, March 25-26-27 and April 1-2-3 2011. Monday the 4th 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 the German handicap system 2011 designed to give all pilots an equal chance despite the different types and performance of their sailplanes. The competition comprised five race sessions (on March 25-26 and April 1-2-3), the March 27 race being cancelled for bad weather.
A total of 31 pilots, all Italian except for one German, took part in the event. The competition was ranked by the IGC (FAI International Gliding Commission).
Luca De Marchi of the Aero Club Volovelistico del Mugello (based at Borgo San Lorenzo, near Florence), flying a Ventus 2ax 15 m glider, was the convincing winner. He concluded the first four races scoring a series of very good positions and was the winner of the last race.
Peter Hartman, flying under the colours of ACAO - Aero Club Adele Orsi based at Calcinate del Pesce, sailing a Ventus cxa single-seater, came second after scoring five good positions in the high zone of the scoreboard: tenth in the first race, second in the second race, eleventh in the third race, seventh and fifth in the two final race days.
All five races of the 39th City of Turin Trophy 2011 had medium distance courses, ranging from 182.4 to 287.7 km. In combination with variable and often difficult weather conditions, it is not surprising that so many pilots failed to accomplish the full task. During four of the five race days, a significant number of gliders were forced to land prematurely at various out-field spots or airstrips along the way. Other pilots had to start their auxiliary engine for a safe return to Aeritalia, thus declaring an early end to their endeavour. The recovery teams had a busy day, earning their dinner prize, not only helping pilots to disassemble their aircraft but also reassembling them back at Aeritalia. At the end of the event, there were some complaints that the race tasks were too demanding for the overall weather situation. However, that’s what sorts out the men from the boys.
The elegant Arcus T –the latest Schempp Hirth model – a powered advanced trainer, fitted with progressive-dihedral wings and the now almost obligatory winglets, made her brilliant debut at this year’s City of Turin Trophy. Giancarlo Grinza came fourth flying this performance two-seater while Alberto Sironi took sixth place.
Worthy of mention (for better or for worse?) is the increasing average age of the Italian sailplane sport pilots, which now includes true veterans such as Dino Giacobbe, born in 1938, and Franco Poletti, born two years later. Coming from the age of the wood-and-fabric gliders, they now master these digital-hearted composite-skinned thoroughbreds.
Open Class (handicap) general results, including pilot name, glider type (wingspan), registration marks, race number, parent club and total score.
In the picture: Images of the first session of the 39th international soaring competition “Trofeo Città di Torino”. Turin/Aeritalia airport, on March 25, 2011. (Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, April 2011)