World/National Competition; World/National Records; Smirnoff Derby Twice, won 1978; Contest Committee; Contest Organizer/Manager
Lilienthal Mdl; Lincoln Awd; Exceptional Srvc Awd; Exceptnl Achvmnt Awd; Std, Schreder, Giltner, duPont, Kubly, Gomez, Lattimore, Hatcher, Senior, Sports, Barringer, Stroukoff Trophies; Hilton Cup; Silv#1366 1967; Gold#373 1967; Dia#272 1974; 1000K#5 1972
Karl Striedieck lives along the Appalachian Mountain range where, in his spare time, he watches the birds soar and learns from them. Soon he thought it would be a good idea to utilize what those experts had demonstrated by setting some records along those mountains where he lived. If the birds could do it, he could do it too! Why not fly long flights along the range out and return? He worked on making sure his barograph would register a sufficient length of time. He contacted the person responsible for record homologation at the time - a former New Englander, transplanted to the fabulous soaring of the west, to discuss possibilities. This person thought - this crazy Easterner new-comer thinks he can set records back east - but sent the necessary information anyway - perhaps to humor him.
In 1968, Karl flew a 767.02 km (476.604 mi) out and return goal flight to set a world record for goal and return -- thereby proving his point. The record homologator was thoroughly chastised but delighted to see the possibility of records in the east. To add emphasis Karl continued expanding this distance by exceeding his own world record - 1971, twice in 1972, 1976 and, in 1977, 1634.70 km (1015.76 mi.). This last record was not exceeded until 1983 and then by only about 12 kilometers. Meanwhile Karl went on to other types of distance records as it then seemed necessary to have a longer ridge for out and return.
He also turned to national competition and flew the Standard Class Nationals in Elmira in 1970, placing twentieth. In 1973 he became the National Champion in Standard Class at the contest in Chester, SC where there were 56 competitors. He went on to become Standard Class National Champion four more times, Elmira, NY in 1980 with 55 competitors, Hobbs, NM in 1981 against 60 others, Littlefield, TX in 1992 and Moriarty, NM in 1996.
He branched out to become the National Champion at the 15-Meter Class flying at Hobbs in 1977 in a field of 64 pilots - the first 15-Meter Nationals he had flown. He must have liked that class because he went on to win six more 15-Meter Nationals - Springfield, OH 1980 (1/67), Chester in 1983 (1/64), Barstow, CA in 1987(1/40), Uvalde, TX in 1989 (1/59), Mifflin, PA in 1996 (1/45), Uvalde again in 2001 (1/32).
He didn't neglect the open class, flying his first in Bryan, OH in 1971 and becoming National Champion at a near-home site - Mifflin County - placing first in a field of 18 in 1990. He also flew Sports Class a few times winning in 1999 (Elmira), 2005 (Parowan, UT) and 2006 (Mifflin County). As the major competitors were getting older, they wanted a class of their own - plus they now could compete when others were still working. Thus along came the Seniors Contest at Seminole-Lakes, FL, starting in 1991. Karl won this Championship seven times (1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014).
In summary (as of this writing), Karl Striedieck has set nine world records and been National Champion twenty-three times. All the above does not describe how often he set National records, or placed in the top ten in major contests (at least 22 in addition to being Champion) and that he was on the world team twelve times, placing second twice (1978 and 1983). However, there is still more to his story.
He competed in the Smirnoff Derby twice, winning in 1978. He served on the SSA Rules Committee, was a contest organizer and Manager, and co-founder of the Sailplane Racing Association. He has been a loyal supporter of U.S. Teams for International Competition flying with donors as passengers during soaring competition. He has been a prolific contributor to Soaring magazine including several Feature articles.
He earned Silver #1366 in 1967, Gold #373 in 1967, Diamond #272 (Intl #1361) 1974, 1000 K Diploma #5 (Intl #8) in 1972.
He won the highest award in the sport - the Lilienthal - in 1971, the Lincoln Award for writing in 1986, the Exceptional Service Award in 2005 and 2009, the Exceptional Achievement Award in 1972, 1977, 1986, 1994 and 1997.
Karl Striedieck's Competition Awards are summarized briefly here: Standard Class Trophy (five years), Schreder 15-M Trophy (eight years), Giltner Trophy (six years), Hilton Cup 1989, du Pont Trophy 1990, Kubley Standard Trophy (four years), Gomez Trophy 1999, Lattimore Trophy (twice), Hatcher Trophy (2001), Senior Trophy (seven years), Sport Trophy 1998, Barringer Trophy 1997, Stroukoff Trophy 1990.
All the above subject to additions. (Hope Karl has a BIG trophy room!!)