Brian Porter writes:

After the hard landing on the only practice day of the Worlds, the
first day of the meet was a no-fly for me as the newly repaired landing gear
still had some repair issues after the tow line broke, due to severe turbulence
(3 Swifts had line breaks). My gear collapsed on landing, repairable, but not in
the 45 minutes before the launch window closed. On this day the ULM tow planes
almost canceled the day due to dangerous tow conditions.

The Archaeopteryx, which climbs and glides similarly to the Swift, is said to
have a slight glide advantage at lower speeds (like Atos gets 20 at 20 mph), but
I haven't seen it yet. In very light lift they likely can climb when Swifts
can't (probably). But in normal conditions all the Rigid's appear equally
matched in performance. The Swift would appear to have the glide advantage at
speed. The mountain conditions here, near Annecy, where pilots are frequently in
very close proximity to each other and the huge mountain ridges (which run most
north to south), glider types are constantly swapping places. In the fly
condition we are experiencing glider types appear evenly matched.

The second day started with hopes for clear sky's and high ceilings. A task was
called for 144 (very optimistic) miles. At the witching hour 10 minutes before
the start it appeared the day may not be as good with too much moisture and
potential hazy sky's making for a 6 hour + task for the best pilots (but no time
for a last minute task change).

All Swifts and Archaeopteryx's made the start and the task went well for the
first 75 miles but 35 miles out from the last turn point the sky on course were
clouded over and shut down the lift.

The Archaeopteryx's which as a group were in the lead, for the most part were
shut down by the shadowed conditions and landed out. As did Jacque Bott in his
Swift near the last turn point 50 miles out.

Steve Cocks and I managed to stay in the air by fingering the sun, flying off
the course line as we headed south. Separately, we all flew to the west where
the sun still shined but we went back on course too soon and eventually we
landed near the last turn point (I arriving at the airport to find Bott landed)

Manfred who had the good fortune of making a mistake and getting stuck low and
behind in the mountain arrived late, where the conditions had completely
reversed with sun and lift enough to make goal. Making for a 6 hour flight.

It's curious that the Archaeopteryx with their light air advantage, were mostly
out distanced by the Swifts on this light day.