Wednesday, July 17, 2013
After an interesting start soaring up the side of clouds waiting for the clock 150 of us glided as one towards TP1. I then took a lonely direct route along the shady course line to TP2 whilst 149 other pilots went back well off course for some broken sun. Broken sun proved way smarter. I dirted at TP1 then watched them all patiently work the broken sun then fly over my head and on towards goal.
Looks like Gareth came into goal 23rd and KK 80th, nicely done!!
Task 2
86km race to goal
Bit of a funny day, with strong over the back all morning and some crazy dustys ripping speedarms and bags into the air, with one bag thermalling to base.
Very late start after the weather calmed down with a 1515hrs start across the valley, launched early and enjoyed a easy climb to base in what was 100% cloud cover, many pilots just kept going into the cloud.
Timed the start to perfection with Che on one wingtip and Dave just below, the Aussies led to the gate and first turnpoint, where we had to start looking for lift as the guys who for some reason (surely not cloud flying) were really high, glided several hundred metres over our heads and down the courseline.
Really scratchy first two thermals but then we got good lines and climbs allowing us to skip some gaggles.
Haven't seen Brian yet but I came in at 2hrs 21m and Dave was a couple of minutes behind. Che made the second turnpoint i think.
Fun!!
We'll see how the results pan out, but we might catch the NZ'rs with a bit of luck!
G
Pre start gaggle
Bit of a funny day, with strong over the back all morning and some crazy dustys ripping speedarms and bags into the air, with one bag thermalling to base.
Very late start after the weather calmed down with a 1515hrs start across the valley, launched early and enjoyed a easy climb to base in what was 100% cloud cover, many pilots just kept going into the cloud.
Timed the start to perfection with Che on one wingtip and Dave just below, the Aussies led to the gate and first turnpoint, where we had to start looking for lift as the guys who for some reason (surely not cloud flying) were really high, glided several hundred metres over our heads and down the courseline.
Really scratchy first two thermals but then we got good lines and climbs allowing us to skip some gaggles.
Haven't seen Brian yet but I came in at 2hrs 21m and Dave was a couple of minutes behind. Che made the second turnpoint i think.
Fun!!
We'll see how the results pan out, but we might catch the NZ'rs with a bit of luck!
G
Australia and NZ sitting in the sun for 4 hours
More pre start, after this i think the gopro got too cold!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Day 2
Task canned before we went up the hill, strong wind over the back and forecast 1ms climbs. Apparently hot springs and mud baths are the order of the day.
Monday, July 15, 2013
I am still not clear what happened with the instruments but I guess it's linked with launching well after the start gate had opened with a large 10km exit start centred from another waypoint. Fine time to find a new problem. In hindsight I should have studied the map more carefully and manually taken the start rather than depending on a dubious arrow - daft thing was the arrow was literally taking me around in little circles rather than towards the gate.
The actual task was initially slow but buoyant then quickened as the cloud partially cleared and the sun opened up the course lines. Very happy with the new lines and the glider, the decisions, the climbing and the glides - just need to get the start!!
 |
| KK and Che talking helicopters on launch with Gareth |
Mantrum
S%#t, F*&k, S&^t, S$%t, F*@k...Ok, now that I have that out of my system.
I had troubles right from the start, my instrument was just as confused as me. We had launched after the race had already started and the instrument was telling me to go back to launch for some unknown reason. Once I thought I had it sorted I started on course as the instrument played its happy little tune, but was doubtful that I had tagged the start cylinder. I tried checking my track in the air and I was already 80% sure I had missed it.
I had a great run for the rest of the task, mixing it with a few of the guns. We took a good line out from the mountains and into the flats which was a much more direct route and it proved fruitful. I was not sure of our exact position relative to the rest of the field, but I knew we were doing ok. At the last turnpoint I realised that we were the lead gaggle. I came in around 5-6th for the day. On the ground I checked my track properly and have missed the start and blown a really good task result. Brian arrived not long after me, with the same doubt of his start. It turns out with have both blown it due to this quirk of our instruments, unbeknown to us previously.
Now beer! Tomorrow better!
Che
I had troubles right from the start, my instrument was just as confused as me. We had launched after the race had already started and the instrument was telling me to go back to launch for some unknown reason. Once I thought I had it sorted I started on course as the instrument played its happy little tune, but was doubtful that I had tagged the start cylinder. I tried checking my track in the air and I was already 80% sure I had missed it.
I had a great run for the rest of the task, mixing it with a few of the guns. We took a good line out from the mountains and into the flats which was a much more direct route and it proved fruitful. I was not sure of our exact position relative to the rest of the field, but I knew we were doing ok. At the last turnpoint I realised that we were the lead gaggle. I came in around 5-6th for the day. On the ground I checked my track properly and have missed the start and blown a really good task result. Brian arrived not long after me, with the same doubt of his start. It turns out with have both blown it due to this quirk of our instruments, unbeknown to us previously.
Now beer! Tomorrow better!
Che
Day 1
"I was in front when i hit the ground..."
First task: over the back, cloudy, late. Start went when we were all still sitting around, waited about an hour then all bombed off together. Whirling gaggle of stupid in 1.5ms... I pushed on and had a great fun flight pushing hard but made a bad course decision and got flushed by the wind coming down the gorge.
First task: over the back, cloudy, late. Start went when we were all still sitting around, waited about an hour then all bombed off together. Whirling gaggle of stupid in 1.5ms... I pushed on and had a great fun flight pushing hard but made a bad course decision and got flushed by the wind coming down the gorge.
Spectacular scenery...
Heres Dave demonstrating his "yay, we're all together" pose
Heres Dave demonstrating his "yay, we're all together" pose
And our farmer friend mowing the grass with his enormous scythe
Sunday, July 14, 2013
KK's True Colours
At the opening ceremony yesterday, KK showed us why he was really here. Quite a sneaky collaboration with the organisers I think.
Che
Che
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)