Herb,

Why thank you! As Mr. Trump is leading every National poll (has been for many months), thanks for the rather impressive complement. If you had related me to Hillary Clinton the champion of "#untrustworthy" and an obvious liar and fraud, I would be shaken for sure. Of course, I would never support either of these fools. Moving on...

What have I contributed lately? I have offered to run a week long US Junior Nationals Contest next season (2 weeks before SGP USA while many of top international pilots will be on hand training). I am also hosting the first 2016 Sailplane Grand Prix USA. Both events will be held next summer. These are both fairly huge commitments in time, money and effort which I am more than happy to sacrifice as they are both important and highly relevant.

Why is Sailplane Grand Prix 2016 relevant.? Look at the response! Despite a massive conflict with other US contests, we have been able to generate a staggering response for the 2016 SGP USA, easily selling out nearly a full year before the competition begins in late July 2016. This includes 7 international pilots from Europe and Australia plus a HUGE Canadian response. In fact, SGP USA has attracted more top international talent than the USA has seen in decades (other than a World Championships). Developing and running either of these events is a huge undertaking. Especially the SGP USA with the requirement of attracting major corporate sponsors, a significant budget, significant entertainment challenges, live web broadcasts and commentating for the tracking system, major media interest (CNN, Eurosport to name a few) and, of course, real sailplane racing for these amazing sailplane pilots. What a great backdrop this could be for a 1st US Junior Nationals. "....crickets..." Anyway...

We have no "club" in Ionia. My wife and I are carrying 95% of the load. We literally will do everything necessary to get the job done and hope to have some support along the way. This has been the same program in Ionia for many years. The gang is aging out and out of gas. We are happy to do it.

SGP USA website: www.sgp.aero/usa2016

Meanwhile, the SSA has offered us zero support for either of these events. I could argue, exceedingly well, that the SSA support is actually "negative." What a missed opportunity on both counts. Much more on this later.

If offering to develop and deliver these fantastic competitions is not meaningful action for A) spurring on US Junior Soaring growth development and B) expanding US & International REAL Sailplane Racing, I have no idea what is. What else should I be doing for you?

What has the SSA done to develop youth soaring? What's the plan? Who's driving? Is it working? How is the SSAs performance measured? Who is accountable? What are the SSA "senior?" leaders key objectives? What are their functions, goals and responsabilities? What progress is being made towards these objectives? Where does youth soaring rank in their list of priorities? More crickets...

Why does the USA seem to underperform in so many areas while a small countries like Britain or Australia (as large and spread out as the USA claims to be, if not MORE) seem to excel?

I know these are challenging questions. But they need to be asked, often and endlessly until the but begins to turn again. we simply cannot afford to flail around like this any longer. Can we?

We need some strong, new, disciplined leadership & management and FAR less good old boys...

Sean
7T