Task 6.

After 5 tasks and a rest day, the team was chomping at the bit to get back into some racing. The last couple of tasks saw very stable conditions , so we were pleased to see fluffy clouds at Bassano where they set a 85 k task up and down the ridge. There was a fair bit of wind on launch but was not so bad in in the air. The whole team got off launch and climbed to 1800m. Just before the start, the gaggle split into 3 groups with one in front of launch, one above and another way behind launch. Once the start began, all 3 groups headed for the first turn point which was below Monte Grappa and about 20k from launch. The group out front got there first and turned back for along the ridge for tp 2. By this time a large cloud before tp 2 started to get serious and the organiser's started to keep an eye on it. By the time the pilots were back at launch this cloud was in full blown cu nim mode. I was in the air by then way out front climbing. The lift was becoming strong and consistent and to me, it was obvious it was going to be stopped. I straight lined it away from the stormy mass but still continued to climb, 2k later i was away from the growing cloud above me and its persistent lifty air and flew into a convenient blue area that was also above the main landing area. there was plenty of lift around so the anti g was deployed, Ten minuets artfer landing, the sky clouded over as the storm grew bigger, half an hour later the gust front came. Interesting to see free flyers On the main Bassano ridge ignoring the threatening sky. All comp pilots landed safely. Back at home, the team is nursing Kari who has come down with a sore throat. Pete , who is a vet, is on standby with the gloves on ;)