Helen Wood, MD has been coaching and supporting the Australian Club Class pilots from the Darling Downs Soaring Club, Mike Codling and Allan Barnes (Team Dingo) for the last twelve months.  In 2009 Mike and Allan along with other members of the Australian team and associated crew went to Prievidza in Slovakia to compete in the Gliding Pre-Worlds Competition.   Australia’s Allan Barnes won Club Class which was a great result.  The Pre-Worlds was an excellent practice run for the 2010 World Championships and all the crew and other pilots had a great time along with some important training and preparation for 2010.

Helen has been working with the team to cover the non-flying aspects of their preparation including team dynamics, crew and pilot relationships and interactions, managing stress on the ground and in the air, communication and general mental preparation with a particular focus on pair flying in a major competition.  

This preparation will now move into the broader Australian team and Helen is heading to Narromine in NSW to assist in the delivery of Squad Week which is a chance for all the Australian teams flying internationally in 2010 to come together to practice, coach, prepare, and practice some more!!

TMS is finding it very rewarding to be involved with the Australian teams and wish them all the best in Prievidza and Hungry in 2010.  We will be following their progress with interest.