David Whittle <<david.whittle>>
writes:

The Florida XC seaon is off and running, Saturday's forecast was
5-10 SSE, Cloudbase around 4000ft, cloud cover 30%, 10% chance of rain. Perfect
conditions to give it a go. The task was set at Avon park, 100KM away. The
morning started off with fog until late, with high cloud blocking some of the
Sun and a thick layer of cloud coming in from the south, what happened to a 30%
cloud cover.

Despite a very good forecast there was not that many pilots out for free flying.
Jonathan and Henry were there try out the latest delivery from Wills Wing two
shiny mylar encrusted T2's. There is something special in getting a new wing,
the proud owner has asmile from ear to ear and the envious pilots sniff around
the gliders like dogs on heat, same old story.

The tug pilots reported improving conditions, this was borne out by Jon Small
who was able to get to cloudbase to the west of a graying and filling sky.
Despite the pesimistic picture that was emerging, Johnathan Baoarini, JJ (Jeff
James) and myself rose to the challenge. Glynn Curran was already waiting in
line as the gang of three joined him. Once in the air Glynn was quickly to
cloudbase at 4000ft. Our expectation was small spring clouds, the picture was
somewhat different with towering cumulus, is this Summer?????

The tow was definitely lively with our transplanted tug pilot David from Lookout
doing a great job to keep me in his mirror. After another huge hit at 1900ft I
released into a nice thermal, only to see David Fly into an even better thermal
marked by birds and a Tug going up at a rapid rate on knots. I did not need a
second invite, I connecetd with this monster thermal and within two turns I was
hitting 700-900 feet per minute surges, in no time I was at cloudbase with
Glenn. The first thing that hit me was how powerful the cloud suck was. It was
definitely a Summer sky. I worked the edge of the clouds and rode the lift in
front of the cloud to 4800ft while waiting for Jonathan and JJ.

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