Today we saw the best weather we've seen all week, with good thermal development and higher inversions (9000 feet or higher). So the task committee called a 72 km task with a really difficult set of turnpoints. Finally we had a task that the serious top competition pilots were happy about, and one where a smaller and more average number of pilots made goal - about a third of them. Of course that means that only the serious top competition pilots would be among that select group. Like Nick for example. He fought hard and pulled off many low saves to make goal today, his fourth comp day ever, on the longest and hardest task. No other Hawaii pilots made it -- the rest of us hit the dirt all along the course route. But thanks to Nick, we are continuing to make sure that Hawaii is represented at the goal line every day of the comp so far.Preliminary overall standings for Hawaii pilots after four tasks:
51 Alex
56 Ray
59 Jeff
68 Dexter (Maui)
69 Marty (Maui)
73 Scrappy
76 Nikki
79 Quentin
80 Paul (Maui)
84 Rick (Maui)
90 Greg
99 Bob
3 comments:
Right on, Nikki!!! Congratz!! We all want to hear your story!
Everyday we learn lessons and see others learning lessons and hope to absorb a little more knowledge. well, let's see if it pays off with more people at goal. It is easy to think I should do this or that after you hit the ground, but it comes down to your decisions in the air (and even before) that make a difference in the score. For instance, I launched late and so I was late in reference to the gaggle, making thermal markings more difficult, and after analizing and comparing track logs in leonardo http://paraglidingforum.com/modules.php?name=leonardo&op=list_flights
I realize I went into the valley winds and missed a potencial triger (even though I thought I was there)... I hope I learn my lesson by launching early and pay more attention on where the winds are taking me.
Besides the comp talk I had a great time and was comfortable in the air, getting as high as 7500 and also sink close to 1000ft/m. We also had Mexican dinner with margaritas and talked story, but the highlight of the way was to see Nikki making goal for the very first time and be there for that, even though we had to drive there. Way to go, Nikki!!! Good luck today to all Hawaii pilots. Aloha, Ray
By the way, Nikki said he made goal because he was wearing his lucky shirt. Well, it takes a little bit of skills and a good pair to make it, otherwise 110 pilots would be in goal.
Note to self: Always clear your track log.
Post a Comment