Beating Gerolf

Today was the last day of the comp. The awards presentation and dinner is tonight, so there was significant motivation to call a “barbeque task.” It would probably be something that would keep us close so that everyone could be back in time for the dinner. It looked pretty certain that we would do a triangle, since the wind was forecast to be light.

When we got to the airfield the wind was a brisk out of the north to northwest. A tug was sent up to check winds aloft. It was 15knots all the way up – not good for trying to fly up wind. The task was called as an out and return to Grenfell – 40 miles to the south southeast. Jonny’s task briefing was: “We’re all going to fly to Grefell, turn around, smile and wave at each other, and then see who really has guts to make it back.”

I was still not feeling 100%, but I wanted to fly, and I felt I was up to it. I took advantage of an early launch, but stayed in the start circle waiting for the first gaggle. It was blue again today, but the climbs were strong and high, though far between – a good day to stick with other gliders. It was a fun run downwind; I made the turnpoint, took a deep breath and turned around. It turned out things weren’t as bad as I expected. I had gliders to fly with the whole way, and the climbs were reliable, though the glides were long. I never got low, and when the glide computer said I had goal I believed I might make it. I cut things a bit closer than I normally would on my next to last climb, then decided to be conservative and get lots of altitude for final glide. My computer said I had it with 2000ft, but I actually made it with 3000, even flying as fast as I could while keeping the glider going (sort of) straight. This time I actually beat a few people into goal, though a lot made it – we’ll probably hear the final number tonight. Definitely some went down on course, including Gerolf. I beat him today – definitely a first!

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