Comments from Class 2 discussion list
From: Vim ToutenhoofdDate: Sun Apr 21, 2002 11:28 pm
Subject: Champions Manfred & Brian compete in Swifts
Manfred Ruhmer is doing Class 2 enthusiasts a tremendous favor: he will this week compete against Brian Porter. Both will fly Bright Star Swifts, according to the Oz Report ( http://www.davisstraub.com/OZ/Ozv6n84.htm ).
From his fame I'm guessing that Manfred has been World Champion of Class 1 a number of times. Brian has flown in five world meets. He won the World Open Championships in 1976 and won a gold medal in 1994, among other achievements (see Hang Gliding Magazine April 2002 page 47 and cover photo). I believe that Manfred has the world flex wing distance record (a little over 700 km) and I know that Brian is, in the CIVL's World Pilot Ranking Scheme (WPRS), currently ranked number one in Class 2 (see: http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/rankings/class2/ ).
Brian and Manfred will participate this week (April 21-27) in the Flytec Championship, which is being hosted by Quest Air in Florida (see: http://www.flytec.com/flytec_champ_2002/index.html ). You will probably be able to follow this most interesting hang gliding duel in the Oz Report ( http://www.davisstraub.com/OZ/ ).
Manfred's interest in faired gliders was no surprise to me. He wrote (in: http://www.davisstraub.com/OZ/Ozv4n44.htm ) a little over a year ago:
'"Manfred on Class II?" It is true that ever since I saw Brian Porter's Utopia I was impressed by this concept. This year I will, for sure, continue flying flex wings and even maybe next year. I have just started working with Felix RÅhle on a caged version of the Atos and we still have to make the first prototype. At the moment I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to this project since my main priority is the 'good old' (but subject to improvement) hang glider.'
The Utopia is a modified Millennium. It has a full fairing, greater wing span (by a couple of feet I think), and a few other modifications. Several months ago I heard rumors that Manfred may fly in the upcoming Worlds in Chelan in a faired Atos. Whonoze?
Vim From: "Stephen J Morris"
Date: Sun Apr 21, 2002 4:40 pm
Subject: Re: [Class2HangGliders] Champions Manfred & Brian compete in Swifts
Vim,
I just spoke with Brian Porter and on the first day of the Quest meet he beat Manfred by 2 minutes. This is not an attempt to gloat on Brian's part, he knows he may never beat Manfred again! What happened was Manfred was out-climbing Brian all the way through the course. Brian, being more familiar with the glider, went on final glide sooner (5000ft AGL & 18 miles out) and narrowly beat Manfred. I'm sure Manfred will adapt quickly to the Swift's extra L/D and not make that mistake again! It's great that he has adapted so easily to the Swift even though he has hardly flown one.
BTW, Brian narrowly beat Robin Hamilton to win the Class 2 National title at Wallaby. Robin was out-flying Brian throughout the entire meet until the last day when Brian took a more direct but risky route to goal. It paid off and Brian arrived 15 minutes ahead of Robin on the last day to winning Class 2.
There aren't that many competitors in Class 2 but the competition has still been very exciting.
Steve Morris From: "Stephen J Morris"
Date: Wed Apr 24, 2002 7:38 pm
Subject: Re: Manfred & Brian compete in Swifts
I just spoke with Brian Porter who told me that Manfred is still annihilating him every day! Brian is learning a few tricks though. Manfred's thermaling style is very aggressive, he pulls back hard on the stick the moment the lift surges. This is not a technique for beginners and could lead to an unintentional spin, but Manfred is able to use it along with his immense skill to consistently out-climb Brian. Today he beat Brian by 20 minutes and both Class 2 gliders beat the fastest Class 5 wings.
Brian said Manfred is flying with a large pillow from a couch as a 'headrest', wears a cloth hat instead of a helmet (like a sailplane pilot), and takes his shoes & socks off once in the Swift and flies barefoot. The inside of his glider looks like a mobile home with all sorts of junk piled up inside the bottom of the fairing. Brian says Manfred is enjoying flying the glider immensely.
Hopefully Manfred will write up something about his experiences flying the Swift so we can hear about it in his own words.
That's all for now,
Steve Morris