Booming last day.

The forecast for the last day was for clouds at 12,000' and strong lift.  The wind was 30km out the west so the task committee called an out and return 193km to the north.  It would turn out to be a very tough task.

Bobby towed me the last day and I was hoping he would take it easy on me.  It was an uneventful tow to about 1500' when he started to thermal with me.  A couple other pilots were close so I pinned off and started to climb with some help around me.  Turned out not to be the best thermal.  The thermal was drifting fast.  I only got to 6000' and drifted all the way to Forbes.  The clock ticked over 1:40pm for the first start.  I was low and already 10km off the course line.  How on earth was I ever going to make any progress on this massive task?  I briefly thought about just calling it a day and landing back at the airport.  Instead I headed down course.  Where ever I land I don't really care.  After a short glide I hit some better lift taking me over 8000'.  With a little more height and the promise of better lift I worked my way up wind trying to get more on the course line.  Next thermal was 1000'/min to 12,000'.  Now this was more like the forecast.  Davis said the lift would shut down at five so I started to push hard.  Passing any lift less than 800'/min I went on a long glide until I slammed into a solid 1000'/min down at 5000'asl.  It turned into 1200-1400'/min all the way back to base.  My next long glide took me down to 1500' where I had to claw my way back to base.  From here I stayed high to the turn point before the long trip back.  I connected with Jamie for a bit but was too tired to work with her and soon lost her.  I was ready to land any time and the lift seemed was getting weaker.  Even though I was tired I was holding out some hope I might make it back.  I hit a solid climb at 6:00pm that took me back to 12,000'.  If the day would keep working for a couple more hours I could make it in.  Not likely I could fly til 8 but I was going to give it my best.  I worked some lift getting to 7-8000' but fighting against a 20km/hr head wind it was apparent I wasn't going to make it.  I landed with in minutes of my team, Linda and Jamie getting about 10km further.  After nearly six hours in the air I made 154km of the task.  I've had enough flying for a few days. 

Using the force.

Forecast was really good for today.  Forecast for clouds for the first time this comp.  Pilots have been complaining too many pilots have been making goal and the tasks have been too easy.  So today's task was 270km box back to Forbes.  I had a weak link break while the tug was trying to thermal with me.  I got a good climb to 7000' plenty early enough to make it to the edge of the start circle for the first start.  I went to the edge of the start with 3 other pilots and had to go out side the 30km start circle to get to cloud base.  We got high just as the time ticked over and I ran back 1km to get a start and headed out on course.  I ended up with one other pilot and was really happy to be with him.  We were going fast and he was getting very poor glides.  Every thermal I would arrive at least 500' higher than him.  I made a mistake stopping for a climb he missed and lost track of him.  On my next glide I ended up low and alone.  Finally getting high again I was back on track.  After rounding the first turn point I lost power to my instrument.  I climbed as high as I dare with out knowing how high I was as the cloud suck was strong if you got too close.  I would turn on my instrument once in a while to make sure I was heading to the turn point and get some track log points.  With such a long task I was getting tired and losing my motivation.  A couple pilots had caught up to me but I just wasn't interest in flying any more and picked out a place to land.  I made it about half way around the course but was not happy with my instrument going dead.  I put all new battery's in it before I flew.  Last time I buy what ever the store has.  Last day tomorrow.

Not enough day.

Had a pretty good start for the 200km triangle today.  Left at the first start with Tyler, Jamie and a couple other pilots.  Lost Tyler fairly quickly and was left with Jamie and I think the Japanese girl.  We were flying well together with out much trouble.  Another pilot joined us and didn't like our turn direction so just did his own thing.  I wasn't really connecting with the core Jamie was in and being pissed at the pilot turning the opposite direction I just left and went on my own.  I wasn't climbing well but staying off the ground and moving forward.  The lift was pleasant but was hard to get over 6000'.  I kept plugging away until late in the day.  Working light lift not getting over 4000' creeping closer to goal.  At 7:00pm I landed about 55km from goal.  Kind of freaked out the home owner working in the yard when she saw me walking up with my glider.  Very nice couple, as are most people out here are.  I'm sure I would have gotten further if I would stuck with Jamie.  I really need to try and stick with people.  Another day tomorrow.

A pleasant day in the out back

Today was much cooler reaching a high temperature of 32c.  At home that would seem like a very hot day but today it was just pleasant.  The forecast was for strong lift, low top of lift and 30km/hr winds.  With this information the task committee set a straight down wind task to hermid, a 250km task.  Given to low top of lift I was thinking this would be a tall order. 

I had a great start today.   I was the last to tow up and was dropped in a great thermal.  I hooked up with a couple other pilots and worked my way to the edge of the start circle.  I arrived at a perfect time and was right in the mix with a big gaggle for the second start.  We went charging off as the clock ticked over.  It was nice to finally have so many pilots to fly with and I didn't have to tangle with them for an hour before the start.  At the first climb we were split into a few different groups but all got up fast and charged forward.  I was in a good spot higher than many pilots just in front of me making it easy to keep track of the pilots in front of me.  We went on a long glide and pilots were getting low.  They had stopped to climb but as some of us arrived over top of the them we found nothing.  Every one at my height stopped and started turning in crappy broken lift any way.  Floundering around in this useless lift I some how found myself on the bottom of the pack.  I hit a strong core I banked up to get into it a some jerk off came flying right through the middle of it, cutting me off making me have to hunt for it again.  I did finally connect with it again but buy this time I had lost the gaggle.  I slowed down a bit taking every climb to the top as I didn't like the low base.  I had a long glide in some huge sink.  I was a little concerned as I was coming up on a huge forest that was going to require some height to get over or a long trip around it.  Just before the forest I found some lift and managed to claw my way back up again with enough height to make the crossing.  Again I got hit with some big sink flying across the forest.  This left me low on the other side hoping for some lift.  Down to under 1000' I hit some lift but not the core.  I had a good field below me but searching was going to put me over less friendly looking ground.  I just didn't want to risk a bad position in a strong wind that you couldn't penetrate into.  I ended my flight hitting more lift at 50' making my approach even more of a pain.  Not a very graceful landing but back on the ground safe.  I had no cell coverage but with the spot my driver gets my position with out having to phone and I was picked up just after getting all my gear to the side of the road.  I made it about half way down the course.  Part of me wishes I would have dug in and tried to get back up but it's good to be able to fly again tomorrow.

Blown away.

The task today was a 240km dog leg.  The forecast was uncertain due to the location of the trough line.  Some pilots had concerns with forecast winds of 50-70km/hr winds.  I took a tow behind the trike today and couldn't stay in position behind it.  The tow line went slack several times and I was amazed I never broke the weak link.  I was dumped off in sink and got drilled all the way to the ground.  Second tow was a little easier but still couldn't connect with any good lift.  I hit some strong surges but the lift was blown apart and very hard to track.  I landed near the edge of the start circle in 30km/hr winds which turned out to be less than those that landed further down course.  Would have been better to take a rest day today.

Cold in Australia.

Today's task was 198km hook like task.  The first 100km was cross tail wind then turning more into the wind over the next 100km.  Davis didn't have a lot of confidence in the forecast due to some mid level cloud that the models don't take into account.  I didn't really like the call given the uncertainty of the forecast and sending pilot into a 20km/hr head wind over unlandable forest seemed like a bad idea.  I liked it even less as I approached the forest.

The tow paddock was stinking hot again today.  47c I think was the high temp.  I soaked my self behind the water truck watering the field which made it bearable setting up my glider before relaxing under it waiting for my turn to launch.  This idea caught on an several pilots started running after the water truck.  Tyler asked me "has Jamie thought this through", as she went running into the stream of water wearing white short.  "Nope" was my reply as she exited now wearing skin colored shorts.

I got towed up behind the trike today but broke a weak link at 600'.  The second tow was a real radio too, not sure how that weak link survived.  I was waved off just after towing through a thermal and went back and slowly started to climb out.  The wind was strong and I was drifting fast towards the edge of the start circle.  It was already past the first start time so I just kept going with it as I wasn't really worried about my start time on such a tough task.  I had one pilot working well below me but it was a near by bird that finally helped me get up to 8000'.  I headed of to the first forest and found some lift to drift over several km of unlandable terrain.  I saw a combat that just kept going right by me.  Later Paris told me it was him and he hit some huge sink and just about didn't make it across.  He landed shortly after.  Said he wish he would have stopped with me.  He was in second place going into the day and may have had a shot at winning but this will kill his chances.  I just kept drifting as the mid level cloud really seemed to be suppressing the lift in this area.  Once I got around the first turn point I hit the moon.  Really strong climb that took me to 12,000'.  Now I was really cold, thinking about how hot it was on the ground.  45c on the ground and 13c at 12,000'.  I stayed high for as long as I could pushing against the massive head wind.  I finally got low and landed 130km out about the time the task was stopped.  It was raining pilots where I landed so should be in the thick of the scoring.

Conditions much better.

Today's task was 180km dog leg off to the south(not that I know my directions here).  The forecast was for 20km winds, lift to 8000' and strong climbs.  I towed up last as I am not staging in the proper line.  I would be at the end of one line with my team at the end of the other so I just go to the back of their line and tow up last.  Doesn't make much difference but at least this way I have some help.  I got waived off by myself with no lift today and was a bit of work getting up over the airport.  Once I got up I managed to hook up with a few other pilots and we headed up wind in the start circle to get a better run to the first turn point.  It seem we were waiting for the second start time but I couldn't be bothered on a 180km task so I headed out.

Jamie followed me and we flew most of the flight together.  We are working really well together finding the core's.  We don't have radio contact so she is reluctant to lead out ahead of me.  We were going along pretty good but as the day was getting late I was above her and just couldn't wait.  If I wanted to make goal I need to hurry up before I ran out of day.  Davis had mentioned it was hilly and the elevation came up 2000' at goal.  This turned out to be a real problem late in the day.  I could find lift and dribble along but the landing options were becoming sparse.  With out being able to get up I just flew back and landed by the hi way next to a Japanese pilot.  We were all picked up before we got our gliders in the bag and made it town for dinner.

I've been doing a little better each day which was what I was hoping for.  We'll try to start picking up the pace over the next few days.

Getting better.

The forecast was a little better today.  Not crazy hot.  Better lift.  Light winds but still blue and base is still at 5500'.  The task committee decided on a short 130km task given the low base.  As it turns out pilots got to over 7000' and over 70 made goal.

I got a bit of grief today for staging in the wrong line.  I moved from the back of one line to the back of the other.  My entire team was at the back of the other line so it was just a pain in the ass to be on the other side with no one to help me.  Corinna didn't want to battle the huge gaggle for an hour and forty minutes so she came to the back of the line.  I was towed into a light thermal and after a minute or so the pilots towed about the same time as me came and joined me to find the better part of the lift.  I was with Jamie, Corinna, Tyler and most of the Guatemala team.  Corinna left us right away and the rest of us headed out together.  Pilots dropped of until it was me Tyler and Jamie.  Then just Jamie and I until the first turn point when she skied out above me and I spent most of the rest of the flight by myself.  I was trying mostly to just stay off the ground which meant I wasn't going very fast or making really good choices.  After landing after only two thermals the first two day's I was happy to be in the air for over four hours today.  Another day like this and I will be ready to start working on going faster.  Landed 35km short of goal.

Day two, another tough one.

Today's task was 163km dog leg north of Forbes. The forecast for today was for low cloud base at 6000'.  Weak lift and strong wind over 20km on the ground.  I put my name in for the early launch but I just didn't think I was going to be able to stay in the start circle for 2hrs.  So instead I went to the back of the line.  Jonny and Craig also waited until late to launch.  This seem to be a good idea as about 40 pilots landed and had to relight.  I towed to about 300' and broke a week link.

After landing, having some water, I got ready to go again.  I managed to hang on the second time but was the roughest tow I've ever had.  I was towed into a great thermal and climbed out to 6100'.  The air was very smooth and I was really enjoying my flight.  My plan was to stay conservative and try and stay as high as possible.  I was turning in light lift and drifting along in the strong wind.  I was alone as most of the field was blown out of the start circle at the first start.  On my second glide I wasn't able to find any lift and was soon landing.  I made 40km of the task and as it turns out the farm I landed at wasn't that easy to find.  My driver had to circle around before they found the road to get to me leaving me waiting for 2hrs.  The wind is forecast to be lower tomorrow so looking forward to better days ahead.

First day a tough one.

The first task was 158km dog leg.  The forecast was for 7000' top of lift but 5000' turned out to be closer to the truth.  The lift was disorganized with brisk wind made it hard to stay around the air field.  The launch order was randomly generated today and I was third in my line.  I thought I was dropped off in a good thermal but couldn't get into it.  After 25min I landed for a relight.  Along with Tyler and 20 or 30 other people.  Waiting for my second tow the pilot in front of me didn't pull in and ended upside down in front of me, breaking his keel, and perhaps his helmet.  Swearing in some language I didn't understand.  Well I won't finish last today at least.

I managed to climb up on the second go around and tangled with the death gaggles.  Thermaling with 50 other people isn't so much thermaling as it is flying through general areas of lift and trying hard not to run into any one. 

I ended up waiting for the third start time which wasn't really my plan but ended up following the wrong gaggle that was waiting for a later start.  Finally after getting a bit of organized lift I headed on course with Tyler and one other pilot.  We glided for a long way before I hit some thing and stopped to turn.  Down to 2000' I should have dug in here and worked at getting up.  When I wasn't really climbing well.  I charged forward to three other pilots low ahead of me and arrived at 1000' just below them.  Never really connected with any thing and soon was on the ground. 

About 50 pilots made goal.  Impressive given the difficult conditions.  Would have been a good day to stick with a large group.

The spot is working great.  Mike has an Ipad with spot buddy and our links to our spots.  They update every ten minutes and shows our three track logs each with a different color.  Hit the OK button when we land and send a text just to confirm we have landed.  Every one was picked up before the glider  was in the bag.  What a great retrieve tool.

Hoping for a better flight tomorrow.

Practice day.

We had a pilot meeting at 9:30am for a safety, weather and task briefing.  Today's weather...hottest day yet.  Climbs to 10,000' later in the after noon and lift averaging 800'/min.  The task was set as 140km triangle to the north then back SW of Forbes and finally back to the air field.  Jonny durand, Attilla Bertock and Zac Majors are our task committee.  Pilots had requested a short task for the practice day so Jonny informed us this 140km task will likely be the short task we will see.

I'm doing retrieve with Jamie Sheldon and Linda Salamone.  Mike Mcfadden is our driver and doing a great job.  Jamie is absolutely miserable in this heat and doesn't want to go out to the field til late.  I have a concern that we will not be able to drive out to the line after the towing has started and I am not going to carry my glider out to the line.  Jamie assures me it is a very short walk so we head out about 1:30pm to start setting up.

A little over half the competitors are flying today.  We drop our gliders at the back of the line and check out how the towing is going.  It doesn't seem to be moving to fast so we sit under the red bull tent for a while, drinking red bull and listening to the music they are playing.  We wait for the line to get shorter because once you set up your glider you can't leave it.  The dust devils are fierce here and your glider can be destroyed if you leave alone too long.  After about 1/2hr Garnet helps me set up my glider.  I'm one of the last few to tow up and Davis gives me a lecture while I'm on the Dolly as he doesn't like how pilots ahead of me were launching.

I have an uneventful tow and get waived off at 2000'agl.  The tug pilot flags me off in a good thermal but it stops at just over 4000'asl.  I wander around the field for over an hour trying to get high before I head out and finally get a strong climb to 8000'.  I figure it's a bit late to try and tackle the task and probably a bit much for me today any way.  No sense getting burnt out before the comp even starts.  So I decide to head to the second turn point to see if I can meet up with the lead guys at the turn point and race back with them.  A couple other gliders have the same idea and we fly off to the turn point together.  The lift seems a little better away from the air field and we climb to over 10,000' on the way there.  I never really get low and it's a pretty easy trip out and back for a total flight distance of 50km.  I take a climb 15km out to 9000' and should make it in pretty easy.  My instrument shows I have 1100' to spare and when I switch to my final glide page it's a 6.5/1 glide into goal.  Man 11100' over the field I'm going to look like a fool.  As I fly through lift on the way in my numbers only get worse.  1900' above goal.  I'm going to look like a total amateur.  I cross the line going fast, about 1000' over the field.  Only a couple gliders there so no one really notices I'm in orbit over goal. 

As I get low it's still way over 40c at 6:00pm.  My landing is better than many, right in the middle of the field leaving me a long walk to tear down.  Garnet comes out and helps carry my glider back to the hanger. 

I was very happy with my practice day and now I'm ready to head off on some massive task for tomorrow.

Opening Ceremonies.

The parade of nations started at the bowling club and went along the river finishing up at the Rugby club.  It was a short walk but was still near 40c when the parade began. 

I think 23 nations are represented here and just about all the best pilots are here.  Should be a very competitive meet.

After all the nations were introduce we had some orderves before the speeches started.  The FAI president, Vicki Cain, the mayor and a few others gave speeches.  Following that was a welcome BBQ put on by the town.  The food was awesome.  After that they had some live music and we danced into the night.  It was a very nice warm summer evening.  Meet some new people and had a great visit with lots of people. 

I think it was a Colombian was the first to grab his flag and start dancing with it.  This inspired a bunch of to grab our flags and join in.  I must have had a few too many rums as I some how managed to grab the Austrian flag by mistake.  I'll have to look at my glider to remind me of what our flag looks like.