Day one

Day one, hot. I picked a 150km task today with a shorter 100km secondary task depending on how conditions looked on the way to my first turn point. If I didn’t think I could make it I had a closer turn point on the way that I could use to shorten up my triangle. You get a lot more points for coming back to Chelan.

I launched late as I was a little nervous after my poor launch yesterday and didn’t want to get in the way. I climbed out easily over launch to 8000’ and had no problem getting out over the flats. I wondered aimlessly around over the power lines looking for my first climb out over the flats. This is not how you fly big distance. I finally found something and got up over 9000’. I headed off to Mansfield and hooked up with a bunch of pilots that looked like they were heading back already. I got high over Mansfield to about 11 000’ before heading off again. I just couldn’t make my self speed up. It was good lift and I wasn’t getting low but mentally it was still hard to speed up. I decided to stick with my first turn point and just do an out and return. My goal was to try and stay up as late as possible and still make it back to the airport. As I went by my alternate turn point the ground in front of me looked a lot greener. I was low just before a lake I needed to cross to get to my turn point. It was getting late and I was low. I found a weak climb and hung on. I could make it across the lake but I didn’t think it was worth crossing only to land and make retrieve that much harder. I figured if I could get back up I would just start heading back. I got back up to 6000’ and started back. Once I got back to Sim’s corner the lift stared to get a little better. I hooked up with Tom Pierce at Sim’s and we flew the rest of the day together. The thermals were now 200’ per minute instead of the 500 or 600’ per minute we were getting earlier. I knew if I was going to have any chance at getting back I needed to pick up the pace. Although the climbs were a lot slower I wasn’t wasting any time. I topped out at about 8000’ just out side of Mansfield and thought I might make it back if I could climb a few hundred feet more. I headed towards home keeping my eye on the ridge across from the airport. If I could clear the ridge you can make it to the airport. The trick was am I going to get over that ridge. The air was very buoyant and I would get a few beeps as I flew a long. Tom was in front of me turning so I headed to join him. I made a couple of turns with out gaining any height so I pressed on not wanting to lose any height either. As I got closer the ridge I was starting to see more of the fields on the other side of the river, indicating that I’m going to clear the ridge. I had my elbows tucked in and toes pointed. As the ground started to rise up below me I was getting a little bit of lift to help me get over the top. I cleared the ridge by 500’ and headed for the airport. As I was trying to figure out the wind direction I saw Tom 500’ below me. I was surprised because he was a few hundred feet over me when I passed by him climbing. He told me he hit some big sink on his final glide. Not sure what my score will be for the day because for out and returns and triangles you have to hit designated turn points not just turn where ever. Hopefully I got over the Sim’s turn point or I won’t get scored for the out and return. My total distance was 116km out and return and I was in the air for 4hr 15min. A great day of flying. Paul, Christine and Doug had a hard time getting over the river and landed at the soccer field. Leif was working on getting his glider fixed. Fiona had a new personal best. I will get her to tell the story!!

Chelan

Were having a great time in Chelan. Our day consists of getting up, going for breakfast, jump in the lake, drop off the cars at designated landing fields (soccer field and air port), fly, go for dinner and drinks, jump in the lake, then we tell flying stories until bed time. Chelan is a hopping little lake side resort town. There’s plenty here to keep the family busy while you go fly. The people are friendly and they have some really good restaurants. It’s a very comfortable feeling hanging out here.

Loading up to go fly

Post flight swim.

Chelan practice days.

Friday I headed to Golden to get a flight in before going to Chelan. I got away late and arrived in Golden at 2:30. Dave Corbin was at the landing field and keen to head up. We loaded up and headed to the top. The wind was blowing in from the north and it was easy to get off. After I took off I worked my way up over mount 7 in very ratty air. I wasn’t sure if I was just getting soft from all the flat land flying I’ve been doing or was this really ratty air. After heading over to Capristo I came back and landed. Dave was already down; he agreed it was very ratty. After dinner I packed up and pressed on to Penticton.

I got up early Saturday and caught up with Doug and Leif at the boarder. It was no problem getting across the boarder and we were anxious to get to Chelan. I rolled into town about 11:00. We had lunch and headed up to launch. We all scoped out the area before getting set up. Pilots were launching all afternoon. Most people were getting up but it looked like work. Our group all got ready to go together. I went to the south launch as it looked like the wind was more consistent there. Every one else was launching between the rocks. Leif got a tail wind when he started his launch and never got up. He ended up bending some aluminium. I moved over to the other launch and launched in a week cycle. I had a poor launch run and just got off the ground. Once in the air I climbed up easily over launch and crossed the gap when I hit 2500m. I got down to 1200m on the other side before I finally got back up again. The lift was big and smooth. I was fighting a 15km head wind so progress was slow. It was easy to stay up thou and it was nice to get feel for the site and a good look at the lay of the land. I did a small 50km triangle and landed back at the air port. The rest of the gang got up and crossed the gap. Every one boated around for a while and then landed at the air port.
This was one of the nicest flights I’ve had this year. The lift was so smooth and good climbs it was very relaxing. I’m really looking forward to the week ahead.

Tied for first after day one!

With limited room on launch we load the trucks up.

Fi getting ready for hang waiting.

With every one eager to fly we head up to launch to set up. The task was five laps across saddle mountain. The paragliders were first to launch as the winds were forecast to increase in the afternoon. The forecast was correct and the winds started to howl by early afternoon. Two pilots launch and broke parts landing in very rowdy conditions. After four hours the rest of us packed up and drove down. Lets party!!

Lumby Air Races

We are in Lumby this weekend for a three day meet. Historicly Lumby has rain this weekend but the forecast is looking good. After all the rain we've been having over the last few weeks every one is very excited to get in the air. Can't wait to fly. I love this place when the conditions are on.