32.881678,-111.854982,Francisco Grande, Casa Grande, Arizona,
USA

The weather models were in conflict re the winds, which is usually
the area where they are the most consistent. It looked like there would be a
strong inversion until after noon and it would still be slightly noticeable at
one o'clock. The local NWS forecast said sunny, but there were lots of mid level
clouds starting at dawn that persisted (and got more extensive) all day.

There appeared to be micro bursts connected with virga that kept switching the
winds and sending light small gust fronts (and dust) through the launch area. We
kept waiting for the general upset in the sky to stop but finally it got too
late so the day was called. Thicker clouds developed to the west and a strong
westerly wind developed that would have  kept us from goal anyway on the
out and return task that we had planned.

This gave us time to wash our gliders to get the desert dust off them and
prepare for the evening festivities. I took a few hours to go over mine and get
it ready to go back to the Wills Wing factory. I set up on the golf course to
soak the glider and wash it down with Tide with Bleach Alternative.

The presentation was great fun with lots of money going from the Cloudbase
Foundation to two local charities that Dustin's mother, Bouchi Bellendier, had
found, the Casa Grande Boys and Girls Club and a home for abused children. The
CBF gave them a total of $6,500, some of it raised during the competition. This
certainly helps build good will in the community for our sport. We also got in
the newspaper for the first time in five years here. Since we are sort of on the
edge of town, they really don't know that we are here, but that may be changing.

The goodbye party is still going strong as I write this. I was at the bar at the
Francisco Grande before the presentation dinner to watch the Boise State/Tulsa
game (and explain it to Jochen), and things were already in full swing. This
continues to be a great venue for hang gliding that encouraged pilots to bring
their wives (and very young children) and gives them an enjoyable vacation, with
a nice pool and things to do around town.

Pilots really love coming here and the hotel is outstanding. We certainly
enjoyed our room and it served as the task committee's meeting spot. Also some
of the more fun loving folks had water balloon throwing contests from their
balconies.

The conditions this year were awesome with the lowest maximum daily altitude at
over 9,000'. The second to last day was of course beyond belief, especially the
long absolutely smooth final glide. Conditions can be quite strong if we stay in
the dry areas away from cultivation and toward the surrounding hills.
Temperatures were bearable at a few degrees above normal for this time of year.

I would encourage any pilots who can afford the time and the cost to come to
this competition. Of course we do enjoy all the US competitions, especially the
two in Florida, and Big Spring, which I must say were so much better than the
European competitions (at least the ones I entered this year) that there is not
even a comparison. The weather in the US didn't cooperate with the Midwest
Championship or the Texas Single Surface Shootout, but I was sorry to miss the
East Coast Championship  (I was sitting in the rain in Italy) which had
great weather.

I'll have an in depth analysis soon.