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Forbes PreWorlds 2012

Monday, 16 January 2012 12:35

We eased into the PreWolds with a week of practice from the 28th Dec.

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(First task - evil head wind. Task gets stopped coz of storms at goal)

When we arrived at the Forbes airport, things were a little wet. Most of the airport was under 2cm of water. Not letting that dampen our spirits we were still able to tow off the grass strips. The next 4 days the flying just got better and better as the surrounding country dried out. All climaxing with a big new year's eve party. Needless to say I and many others took a rest day on the 1st ;)

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(Hard to fit 100 gilders in one shot)

The competition was very well organised thanks to the moyes team. And the use of an ordered launch took the stress out of the launch queue and the need to wait around in your harness for hours in the heat.

The other big difference was the use of an open start gate for 45mins then one start gate after that. This system suited my type of 'go when your ready' style of starting but I'm not sure how it worked out for the guys that play the start gate game.

We had 8 task in the 10 days. With 2 tasks over 200k and finishing with a 169k triangle on the last day.

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(I'm one of those gliders on final on the last day . (photo:Jamie)

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(swooped the line on the last day. So exited to make it I hadn't even remembered unzip yet ;) (photo Jamie)

I didn't take many pics or video this time so you can see more in the blog on the competition site.

And the Results here.

In the time I was there I racked up 42hrs air time and countless ks, 4 goals, placed 30 overall and 11 aussie.

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(Sunset on the final day at goal).

Canungra 2011

Friday, 04 November 2011 09:29

With the PreWorlds and then the Worlds in Forbes just around the corner and the fact it is now a AAA comp, there was a quality field at this year's Cunungra Classic.

We were all exited about the weather for the start of the comp. It provided a mix of conditions. Task 1 I found it tough to get away and didn't even make the kerry when I did.

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(Beechmont Launch)

Task 2 and we had a task across the NSW boarder to Woodenbong. I had a great fly-by Mt Lindesay on the way into goal. But gave everyone a scare (including my self) coming into landing, a thermal pitched my nose up just as I got into hang and (now with low air speed) spat me out the back 90°. Now heading towards a fence crosswind things wern't looking good but I got it in ground effect and straightened up for an easy flair. High on the pucker factor ;)

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(Mt Lindesay)

Task 3 we went to Tambo but then decided to go to Flying Fox. There was much negativity about this site, mainly about the bombout but the launch is good.

Conditions where challenging to get away and many people came back for refiles. I ended up launching late after pulling out of a push coz everone was bombing. After real low level scratch out of the bombout I had a good run to the first Tp but not much further.

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(My flights for the week minus the practis day)

Task 4 was from Tambo down the valley and back to the model feild. 4kms Short!

Three days off to go be tourists...

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Task 5, we went to tambo, looked overcast and crap. But a task was set and we launched anyway. To my surprise there was lift and before I knew it I was over Misery, at base and in good company for the start gate. I made the first pretty well and there wasn't that far to go but couldn't piece together a scrappy thermal and had to fly out for a landing. Still, a nice way to end the comp considering that it was looking like we were all going to be in the bomb out at the start of the day.

Here's the top 10... I only made 26 :(

1	Jonny Durand Jnr	Moyes Litespeed RS3.5	4232	1000	859	707	966	700
2	Steve Blenkinsop	Moyes Litespeed RS3.5	3938	850	742	738	914	694
3	Rohan Holtkamp	Airborne Rev	3837	794	709	836	795	703
4	Dave May	Moyes Litespeed RS4	3652	993	849	464	912	434
5	Adam Stevens	Airborne Rev 13.5	3473	628	636	761	752	696
6	Scott Barrett	Airborne Rev	3185	683	717	370	910	505
7	Jon Durand Sr	Moyes Litespeed RS4	3172	921	825	774	527	125
8	Nick Purcell	Moyes Litespeed S4	3131	592	619	775	457	688
9	Trent Brown	Moyes Litespeed RS 3.5	3028	589	797	568	860	214
10	David Newton	Moyes Litespeed RS4	2988	766	679	532	678	333

Full results here.

RS

Monday, 29 August 2011 15:50

Got my new Moyes Litespeed RS 3.5 on friday then strait out to Forbes for a winter flying weekend.

Light broken lift, we flew across to Eugowra on sunday.

Really looking forward to the flying season now. Bring it on :)

Towing my new RS. Camera go foggy after that, shame it looks awesome this time of year!

West Twynam Trip

Monday, 25 July 2011 10:11

With a good looking forecast, I planed a little impromptu BC trip over the weekend.

Saturday morning, a blue bird day. Perfect!

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(A really really long way to go...)

Took some time to set up camp, dug in behind a rock just in-case the wind picked up over night.

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Then it was time to go for a ski. A lot of the runs had been effected by the really strong winds we had a couple of weeks back.

I thought my best bet would be west face of Twynam, as it was about 1pm and would have had time to soften. I hadn't skied it before so I was pretty stoked to find it was holding good snow.

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