Volume 3, Issue 7	August, 2004

SINK QUEEN LOSES HER TITLE Many of you may remember Ray Bolafka. Ray was one of the first people I met in the glider club and I always respected and liked his directness. One time after a flight that was shorter than he liked, he turned to me and said (more or less), “Cheryl, I am tired of being the Sink King – I now pass that title on to you: you can be the Sink Queen!” That was over 2 years ago and I could not shake that albatross from around my neck! (Ray, if you are reading this – I miss you!) I kept progressing – getting my license, transitioning to the PW, etc. However, I still didn’t have my B badge or my C badge! All these great pilots were coming into the Ranks – Mike Beckage, Craig Bixby, Gerald the 2+ hour student, and Mario had all passed me by as had others that I forgot to mention…. And here I was with a 24 minute flight being my longest solo…. Finally, July 31st (my 45th birthday, by the way) I finally broke the albatross with the help of some awesome people in the air and on the ground! I got my B and C badges in a single flight! My first flight that day was an embarrassing 12 minutes – the only shorter flight was a rope break! I almost hung it up but then decided I really wanted those badges. Darren helped get me settled in the PW and Gerry Whitson towed me to a beautiful-looking cloud. Unfortunately, the cloud had no lift! I thought to myself – there is NO WAY I am coming down in 12 minutes again! I scurried back to the cloud by the airport and saw the most wonderful sight – Ron Clarke coming to lead the way. It was great to have an in-the-air coach! I am sure it wouldn’t have been so easy without him. He helped me break those apron strings and leave the comforts of the half mile radius of the airport. I think the most amazing thing was how you can really see the difference in ship performance – I climbed really quickly and could climb higher, but I quickly lost distance when I made a run behind Ron to the next cloud. It also was amazing for me to experience first-hand what “going upwind” means. You really CAN make it back from six miles in the PW with only 3400 feet! Terry Dickey, his crew, and a host of other club members would send encouragement and give me my times. Even Duane stayed by his radio to listen. I don’t think that I have every felt so supported! At one time I even got to feel what a gaggle was – there were four ships under the same cloud. Yet another new experience for me. I landed at 61 minutes – what an awesome day! Thanks to every one of you (you know who you are) for your help, encouragement and true support! You made my accomplishment even more wonderful! Cheryl

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