https://www.xcontest.org/world/en/flights/detail:davisstraub/18.2.2018/18:07

Light winds are forecast, but an inversion also, that will supposedly suppress
the development of cumulus clouds. The RAP forecast calls for TOL at 1000' to
2000' at 1 PM but the NAM says 3000' to 4000' with much better lift. Looking at
the sky I'm think that the RAP forecast is more likely. Both forecasts get
together on their predictions by 2PM.  5000' to 6000' TOL at 2 PM south
toward Fantasy of Flight.

Larry is off first at 1 PM and I'm right behind him. I find 100 fpm over the
field and stay in it as I watch him struggle down low over a small fire just
south of the field. After 15 minutes he starts to climb and I fly over to
join him as we climb at 100 fpm to 3,300' at 1:25 PM.

Larry and I continue to fly together climbing in light lift. We are cautious
given the weak lift and blue skies. Larry heads for a cu to the south west as I
head for clouds to the south. Larry gets lower and lower as I hang in light lift
and watch. It looks like he's going to land but he finally finds the lift. I
head for him and come in under him.

We head southwest over the Green Swamp west of the Seminole glider port and the
lift starts improving as we've been in the air for an hour. Both forecasts show
good lift at 2 PM. The cu's are beginning to be more than tiny wisps. I find
300+ fpm then 400+ fpm to 5000'. Larry is just to my west. I haven't seen
John Simon. Rob Clarkson is low over by highway 33 south of the glider port.

There are plenty of cu's now south along the course line toward the Fantasy of
Flight. The flying is easy now with plenty of cu's combined with good lift.
Larry and Greg are off to my south west and I take a south line to try to get
ahead of them. Still no sign of John Simon.

I head south and come to the end of the cu's just past Deen Still Road. It is
still a big jump down to Fantasy of Flight as I climb up at almost 300 fpm. I
look around and finally spot Greg and Larry far below. Looks like I took a much
better line. My radio is dead so I'm not sure what the plan is, but it is pretty
clear that the original task (133 km) is out.

I watch Larry and Greg and finally see that Greg (also with a dead radio) turns
and heads back toward Quest not wanting to venture out into the blue. Larry
hears from John that there is lift further south toward Fantasy and despite
groveling goes for it and climbs to 6100' (John gets to 6400'). They both make
the turnpoint as Greg and I quickly get back to Quest.

John is able to get back to Quest a bit later but Larry doesn't make it
back to the cu's to the north after getting to 4,000' at the turnpoint. Rob
lands out also.