Written by BR (2014); Transcribed by JS (02/2015)
Michigan Soaring League
The Michigan Soaring League (MSL) was started in 1984 as a way to encourage contest attendance for various Michigan soaring clubs. The format changed little except with the change in clubs holding MSL contests and classes considered as MSL events. MSL was run by input from all flyers.
MSL trophies were awarded to the top flyers. The number of trophies awarded was dependent on the number of participants in the League for a given year. A perpetual trophy (called the Bird) rotated from year to year with the first place winner. The perpetual trophy was created in memory of Rich Beers. Cal Posthuma, a LSF Level V two times, was instrumental in the development of the MSL and continued being active until his death in 2012.
To compete in the MSL, a flyer attended a MSL contest and declared which classes he wished to count toward MSL points. Approved MSL classes were Two-Meter, Standard, Unlimited, Rudder Elevator Spoiler (RES), and Nostalgia. The League was considering adding Altitude Limited Electric Soaring (ALES) at the time of its dissolution.
The number of contests required to qualify toward MSL awards was based on the total MSL contests Cal Posthuma, Founder of MSL. (Photo for that year. The highest score the flyer obtained, courtesy: Barbara Robinson) regardless of the class, was his MSL score for that
contest. The highest score of the contest is the divisor whether the flyer is a MSL entrant or not. The more contests entered, of course, the better chance of a high score. Each contest day was designated as an MSL contest.
Unfortunately, due to the loss of club flying fields and a decrease in the number of participants, it was decided at the end of the flying season in 2013 to dissolve the Michigan Soaring League. The Perpetual Trophy was to be donated to the AMA in 2014. [Editor’s note: This trophy has not made it to the AMA yet as of this publication in March 2015.]
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