2010 Forbes Flatlands - 6th day
After a hard task the day before, the task committee considered
that maybe a shorter task was the go for today. With the forecast for light
winds and cu's with a cloud base at 8,500' (later) they went with a "triangle"
task of 127 km. First south southwest to Marsden intersection, then east to a
point on the Henry Lawson highway, then twenty kilometers "upwind" to goal at
the "World's" paddock.
The sky obliged us and started filling up with cu's as we set up our gliders
ready for a tow to the north. I got a late start which never happens, but pilots
were more than ready to launch after delaying their launches on the day before.
It didn't matter when I launched as we weren't going to take the first clock
anyway and there was plenty of lift to get up and get in position.
Jeff, Zippy and I were in good communication (first time so far in this meet)
and we all got together in good lift near the edge of the start cylinder. We
were just outside it as the second start time approached. We were at cloud base,
so we headed back at the perfect time and got a great start. Zippy was in the
lead, I just behind him, with Jeff just behind me. It was great to have three
American pilots leading out, although Attila and Blay had taken the first start
time.
The lift was good and well marked. We raced from thermal to thermal (cu to cu)
and kept in the lead. I would lose about 200' on glide against them, and make up
half of that in the thermal. I either have lighter wing loading (bigger glider,
and Jeff has ballast), or greater drag (head pulley?) as I would fly at their
speed but lose altitude relative to them.
We couldn't shake the guys behind us and slowly they caught up with me. By the
time we got to the first turnpoint at 50 km out, Zac and Jeff were a kilometer
ahead and higher. I had half a dozen pilot around me. I kept seeing Carl
Wallbank.
It was another strong run to within fifteen kilometers of the next turnpoint
with 700 fpm lift. Then we had to cross an area with weak lift before we could
get to the obvious strong thermal just two kilometers past the turnpoint. I came
in under it as Jeff and Zac were getting ready to leave with 8 to 1 to goal.
I climbed up in 700 fpm to 7,200' with 9.1 to goal, 18 kilometers away. The lift
slowed down so I went on glide. Jeff and Zac were able to race to goal, but 5.5
kilometers out I had lost so much altitude in the sink that I wasn't going to
make it down to 2,000' AGL. I had been getting 7 to 1.
I stayed in the lift that I found there and then had no problem getting to goal.
Larry, who took the third clock, left the second turnpoint with eight to 1 and
landed 100' short of the goal line. The winds were light. The sink going to goal
for us was not.
Zac and Jeff were fast but Zac did not win the day. But I assume that he will
hold onto his lead. Check out the results to see who won.
Rob In't Groen broke his arm on landing when he didn't get the glider around
into the light wind. He stated that he was tired from all the flying. Today was
basically a rest day with only a short fast task. Some of the younger pilots are
complaining that they are flying too much. I'm perfectly happy to fly every day.
We'll see what happens tomorrow at the pilot briefing.
http://OzReport.com/1262939684
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