What I would like to know is if there are any practice circles added. I was there in 2014 and I concur with Keith T about the sorry condition of the grass circles. Maybe this time the organizers arranged some off-site practice circles? That would be nice!
Keith R
I do not know what practice facilities are being provided by the host at this World Championships. (Maybe Howard can tell us about it when he has some free time.) What I have witnessed in the past is that practice facilities is that they are not more than an afterthought, if that, by the host country. At least, the FAI rules regarding practice circles at the World Championships now address the matter. Interesting reading:
"At World and Continental Championships and other limited international contests, organisers shall also provide Practice Circle/s. These shall be located at the contest site itself, but in any event shall not require more than 30 minutes of normal travelling time to reach from the contest site. Organisers should provide a minimum of one Practice Circle for every 50 registered contestants. All Practice Circles shall be freely open and available for use by all contestants for at least the duration of the contest, plus also for a suitable time before the start of the contest. All Practice Circles should be as close as possible to the standard and maintenance conditions set out at paragraphs a) and/or b) above; but except for the marking of the centre of the centre (pilots') circle and the outside diameter circle, the marking of circles as described at paragraph c) above shall not be required. ..."
So, the rules ask that at least on circle per 50 contestants. That means that a contestant might be able to get on practice flight in one day. In the past, our team members have often found other venues for practice, sometimes not too successful.
Keith