We had the first task today. Forecast was for wind and storms – we eventually got both!
We all went to take off, task was set and we were off. I had a reasonable start and stayed near the front of the field to the first turn point. The leaders maybe a minute before but much lower. We all turned back and flew back along the course. Then the wind hit. Even with full bar I saw my ground speed was only 18km/h. Coming off bar saw only 4km/h (forwards or backwards?!!). I decided that the task would probably be stopped soon (for safety, wind and paragliders is not a good mix) so I pinned the bar to glide as far along the course as possible to get maximum points but as the task was too short a time duration it does not score according to the rules. Shame, I was doing well until then.
I landed and was soon followed by another 30+ gliders. In the distance the clouds had grown enormous and there was rain coming. And what rain!!
We all went to take off, task was set and we were off. I had a reasonable start and stayed near the front of the field to the first turn point. The leaders maybe a minute before but much lower. We all turned back and flew back along the course. Then the wind hit. Even with full bar I saw my ground speed was only 18km/h. Coming off bar saw only 4km/h (forwards or backwards?!!). I decided that the task would probably be stopped soon (for safety, wind and paragliders is not a good mix) so I pinned the bar to glide as far along the course as possible to get maximum points but as the task was too short a time duration it does not score according to the rules. Shame, I was doing well until then.
I landed and was soon followed by another 30+ gliders. In the distance the clouds had grown enormous and there was rain coming. And what rain!!
We quickly packed the gliders and hid under some trees by the side of the main road, waiting for the retrieve transport. A very hot and steamy ride home with lots of other damp pilots followed.
The camping (free camping at the football ground) was flooded by the downpour. Some pilots had an inch of water in their tents :-(
Weather is the essential ingredient in our sport and it never ceases to amaze me how a day can change!
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