http://www.facebook.com/tom.weissenberger?ref=ts&fref=ts

Thomas Weissenberger <<tomtom>>
writes:

324 km one way:

I launched at 1,100 m at 12 am then glided into the inversion. After five climbs
in blue thermals I could assess conditions: broken lift, best climbs between
500-800m, no ridge lift and my harness full with 10 kg of lead - Not the best
options!

Wind from south was weak, but should increase later the day, but didn't!? The
first 100km was just thermal flying. Over Tocopilla I got low and that place
isn't the 1st choice for low saves! Just one soccer field in the city would have
been landable.

Making it up and over the big spine conditions changed and the ridge started to
work also dynamically: its top got lower for venturi effect and the sun was more
to the west shining into the ridge now. The race was on! Geri could follow the
whole flight by car right beneath me.

After 240 km at 5:30pm the sea breeze dropped. I had to change again to weak
thermal flying, passing the airport and making it to Ikike. My first landing
option was the beach of Cavancha, but when I was just on final Geri told me that
the beach was full with people. Had to glide 3km further making it low over
Ikike and landed at the next beach before sunset.

One of my most challenging flights but I played it right:
http://www.xcontest.org/world/en/flights/detail:Weissenberger/2.12.2012/14:58