https://www.mondialdepul2017.com/en/blog/friday-4th-august-task-7-first-pilots-in-goal.html

Well! Conditions turned out much better than forecast. No sign of
showers or indeed any over-development - a perfect looking cross country day!
First into goal today was super speedy Steve Cox (SUI) on his 20 year old Swift
Brightstar, in just under 4 hours 10 minutes. "Yes, it was faster today," he said.
"But there was a huge amount of sink in the final stretch," he added, shaking
his head. Today Steve was 15km ahead of Manfred Ruhmer (AUT). "I thought I was
pretty fast, but this guy Steve has arrived in front of me again!" He jested.
"Maybe I went a little too far west between the last two turnpoints, a little
mistake maybe. But it was a very nice task in good conditions," he added.

Third to arrive in goal was Jacques Bott (FRA). "Extraordinary and very
interesting," he declared. "I just couldn't find many good thermals, flying long
stretches fast and low. I just couldn't seem to get high." He admitted that on
the stretch between Dormillouse and the Cheval Blanc there are always thermals,
and today was no different. "But I was at a decent altitude so I didn't take
them, so as not to lose time!" Jacques was amazed that the sky looked so good
but for him, it did not deliver strong thermals.

Fourth into goal, Franz Pacheiner (AUT), however, found conditions pretty good.
"I got to 3700m a couple of times," he said. But he too found a dead area when
overflying Aspres towards the last turnpoint. "Then I had to look for thermals
because I was low, and it slowed me down." Franz also identified another reason
for not flying the course as quickly as he should have. "I must pay more
attention to the turnpoints and my instruments," he admitted. "I set the course,
say 20km away, and then when I get there I find I've drifted off the line a
couple of kilometers and have to go find the turnpoint again. The others
obviously get it right the first time!"

The Class 5 gliders were arriving at goal at around the same time today, making
it more interesting for spectators.

Stephen J. Morris writes:

Manfred Ruhmer landing his Swift today after crossing goal. You
can see Manfred modulating the spoilers to adjust the glide path (Aerianne
Swifts have spoilers!) Steve Cox is discussing the task with Brian Porter in the
background audio. The scores aren't final yet and Steve is concerned he may have
missed an altitude gate approaching goal, even though he finished the course
first. We'll have to wait until the track logs are reviewed to see who won the
day.

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.j.morris.50/videos/vb.1663401349/10212092173653956/?type=2&theater

Results:
https://www.mondialdepul2017.com/en/pages/pilots-corner/results.html

Results of the Class 5 competition are also found here.

Task 7 (281 km):

Cumulative: