Gary Osoba <<wosoba>>
writes:

We still have room for a few more pilots at this year's WRE. With
the relatively poor weather that has been experienced at the preceding North
American (and European) comps in 2010, it's time for a radical improvement. As
it so happens, the conditions in Zapata are shaping up wonderfully. Last week,
there were three or four days that appeared better than any day at last year's
event, and this week it's more of the same.

Here are today's conditions, starting with the 1 pm lift- the 600-700 fpm
strength with smooth, consistent thermals from ground to cloudbase are
legendary.

By 4 pm, the strong lift extended north over the flight course for world record
distances.

The winds, which in this case are perfect tailwinds, were from the perfect
direction and in the 18-24 knot range.

And the cloudbase was 8,500' to 10,500'. Not bad, when you consider the starting
ground elevation is about 400' msl.