www.MidwestHGComp.org

Gary Solomon <<gary>>
sends from Rich Cizauskas:

After yesterday's high winds, we were all hopeful for a stellar
day today. It was not to be, although we did get to fly. The morning dawned only
slightly less windy than yesterday, and all soaring forecasts had been
downgraded from what we had seen predicted last night: workable lift to only 2K
and fairly weak lift; but at least there was hope for a chance to soar. The task
committee decided on a relatively short task and a late start in the hopes
conditions would be better than predicted with mid-day warmth; it worked.

With a start beginning at 2pm allowing pilots to dribble across the start circle
at any time with their start to be recorded as whenever they crossed the circle,
it was hoped that this would help pilots get on course; it did. Few pilots were
above 2K within the start circle. A number of pilots wisely chose to hang on to
any lift they could find and burble along downwind towards goal. Our wind dummy,
John Licata (flying an ATOS), found nothing on his first tow at 1:30, but at 2pm
was able to do a bit better than maintain and drifted across the start circle.
This caused a lemming effect as pilots began to get in line.

Tows were tough in the now choppy air, and a few pilots pinned off early. Those
that hung on, released in light and somewhat disorganized lift, but as they got
higher found somewhat smoother conditions. Just a handful of us got out of the
start circle, with only three competitors making goal. A fourth pilot also made
goal: our wind dummy who flew without a GPS. He got to goal before anyone else
having navigated by counting the ten towns as he drifted over them from launch
to goal.

some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jedzowata/Midwest2010Day1#

the scores: http://soaringspot.com/mhgc2010/results