THE next Ashes series won't start until next summer, but the rivalry between England and Australia will still have a chance to heat up over January.
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Much like the cricket this summer, the opening day of competition in the World Gliding Championships were delayed by rain, but it didn't do much to dampen the enthusiasm of English pilots Derren Francis and Steve Jones.
“I've been apologising for bringing the English weather with me all day,” Mr Francis said.
“But otherwise it's been quite hot, quite sunny, certainly different to home.”
The hardest part so far has been being sat on the ground in the 36-degree heat waiting to be launched.
- English pilot Derren Francis
While there were plenty of competition veterans in Benalla for the 34th Championships, this will be the first time for Mr Francis.
Unfazed by the false start on day one, he said the Australian conditions had been excellent across the first few days of practice.
“Surprisingly I'm not nervous at all,” Mr Francis said.
“I'm feeling like my normal self, although I might feel a bit different on the runway on Tuesday.
“I think having a few nerves is a good thing.
“The hardest part so far has been being sat on the ground in the 36-degree heat waiting to be launched.”
Dutch pilot Ronald Termaat arrived from the Netherlands on December 28, and has been enjoying the heat – no surprise, given that back home it’s a brisk -10 degrees outside.
“We were expecting some fireworks on New Year’s Eve but we didn’t see anything – instead we popped some champagne, went to sleep and celebrated again 10 hours later when it was New Year’s back home,” he said.
“Today was normal, whenever you organise a competition you’re sure to get some rain.
“The weather here, when it’s dry, is better for flying than in Europe.
“You get very good lift here, at home thermals can take you to around 1200 meters, here you can go right up to 3000 metres.”
Despite the rain delay on Monday, most competitors were confident they would be able to take flight throughout the rest of the week.
Competition ends on January 21.