Worlds Task 9

54 km task with two options, safety in the mountains or risk the flats for the short route.

We went in the flats and with some help from the other flat countries (brazil, germany, england) we put the euros who are scared of the flats to the sword. I reckon 15km in front after 30km. 

The day deteriorated somewhat and the lead gaggle struggled into the last turn point and I had to go around some houses to get to the windy side of the gorge and soar the river bank in the valley breeze for a very low save ;-) This worked out and with a couple of gliders we transferred to the main ridge and started rocketing up the big hill.

Unfortunately a couple spots of rain meant that a strategic stop was called to the task. The Germans knew the stop was coming (safety committee member), went on glide and cleaned up 1st-3rd. Frustrating for me as the small gaggle of 5 I was in were climbing strongly towards final glide in the sun, with a clear track along a big ridge to ESS and goal. We had the day in the bag if the task was completed as everybody in front was on death glide to the shady flats.

Stopped tasks are always a balance of charging down the course in case a stop comes, or maintaining a good position on the course line in case it doesn't.

Gareth, Felipe and Pete in 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Team in 3rd