We went up the hill today with a good forecast. Wind dummies launched but unfortunately we discovered strong wind at altitude. The tast was canned and people who wanted to went flying. Not dangerous but not good for a task :-(
tonight a moonlight kayak trip on the lake is planned. With the superb full moon it should be great!
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Third day - third task!
Third day of the womens comp. Wind dummies (Jamie Messenger and I) were ordered off early to check conditions. Soon after the launch opened and the sky was full of gliders.
The weather report said it was going to be a blue day (no clouds) but soon fantastic clouds started forming!
A good and fast race followed with many getting to goal. Wendy had a nice flight but did not make goal, deciding she had had enough for the day and landing back at the camp site after taking the start on time and tagging the first turn point.
The goal location was superb! We landed next to a lake with a bar serving cold beer and good food. As the task was finished by 2pm (ish) there was lots of time to chill out and swim.
The forecast looks even better for tomorrow so fingers crossed for some more good flying.
The weather report said it was going to be a blue day (no clouds) but soon fantastic clouds started forming!
A good and fast race followed with many getting to goal. Wendy had a nice flight but did not make goal, deciding she had had enough for the day and landing back at the camp site after taking the start on time and tagging the first turn point.
The goal location was superb! We landed next to a lake with a bar serving cold beer and good food. As the task was finished by 2pm (ish) there was lots of time to chill out and swim.
The forecast looks even better for tomorrow so fingers crossed for some more good flying.
2nd day Womens comp
Day 2 of the womens comp saw the task starting earlier to avoid the blown out take off conditions. This was tricky as it saw a lot of pilots struggling in the weak conditions, many of them landing. Some managed to maintain on the cliffs and they pushed on to the start. Stony winds from the west soon put most of them on the deck. I had got very low and took a while to get back up to lower ridge height.
I joined a gaggle of pilots in a scrappy thermal and we climbed for a while then dove for the main ridge. This worked for myself and Judith Mole, the rest landed.
One girl Nadia on an Advance Omega 8 had a large collapse above me. I looked up and saw something falling from her harness. Was that her reserve parachute? No, it kept falling. Oh my god, it's her head!!! The risers on her glider (the webbing straps that connect the harness to the lines) had twisted and and pulled her helmet clean off!! She flew back to the landing after that!
Not many of the pilots managed to get the start. Most landed soon after and a few managed to get back up, on to the seccod turnpoint and over the back towards goal. No one made goal, the closest being an agonising 1km short. Special mention to the Spanish girl who arived late to take off, hung over, then flew close to goal on a poor performing Nova Rookie!
In the evening we had an excursion to the local observatory where we watched a superb film on a dome above our heads whilst we were laid back on comfortable arm chairs. Then we had a look through the 40" telescope at the moon and a cluster of thousands of stars....
I joined a gaggle of pilots in a scrappy thermal and we climbed for a while then dove for the main ridge. This worked for myself and Judith Mole, the rest landed.
One girl Nadia on an Advance Omega 8 had a large collapse above me. I looked up and saw something falling from her harness. Was that her reserve parachute? No, it kept falling. Oh my god, it's her head!!! The risers on her glider (the webbing straps that connect the harness to the lines) had twisted and and pulled her helmet clean off!! She flew back to the landing after that!
Not many of the pilots managed to get the start. Most landed soon after and a few managed to get back up, on to the seccod turnpoint and over the back towards goal. No one made goal, the closest being an agonising 1km short. Special mention to the Spanish girl who arived late to take off, hung over, then flew close to goal on a poor performing Nova Rookie!
In the evening we had an excursion to the local observatory where we watched a superb film on a dome above our heads whilst we were laid back on comfortable arm chairs. Then we had a look through the 40" telescope at the moon and a cluster of thousands of stars....
Sunday 22 August 2010
Sunday- first day of Womens Competition
Today (Sunday) was the first day of the the womens competition. I took off early before the start to check out the conditions and report them back to the organisation. Not long before the planned start time the wind picked up and started blowing hard. The task was stopped because of this. I got bored of waiting and the lure of my sandwich was too much so I landed back on the top again!
The organisation waited for a while then set the same task again as the wind on take off was decreasing at the time. True to the laws of competition, as the take off window was opened the wind started blowing hard again! It was a difficult take off for all. The wind was too much for Wendy and she did not take off. That was a shame as reports from pilots in the air were that once off the windy launch the flying conditions were good.
A good race ensued and it was interesting watching from the take off instead of being in the race myself! The coures that was set was in the valley in front of us which enabled a good view of most of the course line.
The task was won by Kirsty Cameron from the UK. She clinched it by taking a different longer line between turnpoints by flying back to the main ridge and soaring along, not having to stop for thermals. This put her in a great position which she monopolised on to beat Claudia Bungakow into seccond place!
A well deserved win. Kirsty had a Cheshire cat grin in the goal field as this was here first ever task win.
The forecast for the week is good so I am hoping for some lighter wind and more tasks for the girls.
The organisation waited for a while then set the same task again as the wind on take off was decreasing at the time. True to the laws of competition, as the take off window was opened the wind started blowing hard again! It was a difficult take off for all. The wind was too much for Wendy and she did not take off. That was a shame as reports from pilots in the air were that once off the windy launch the flying conditions were good.
A good race ensued and it was interesting watching from the take off instead of being in the race myself! The coures that was set was in the valley in front of us which enabled a good view of most of the course line.
The task was won by Kirsty Cameron from the UK. She clinched it by taking a different longer line between turnpoints by flying back to the main ridge and soaring along, not having to stop for thermals. This put her in a great position which she monopolised on to beat Claudia Bungakow into seccond place!
A well deserved win. Kirsty had a Cheshire cat grin in the goal field as this was here first ever task win.
The forecast for the week is good so I am hoping for some lighter wind and more tasks for the girls.
Saturday 21 August 2010
In Ager (Spain) for the womens competition
We are in Spain in the Pyrenees for a womens only paragliding competition. Wendy is competing and I am a 'wind dummy' which means I take off to test the conditions before the competition task starts. It's a good deal which means I get lifts up to take off, retreves and a sandwich ;-)
tomorrow (Sunday) is the first day and the weather looks good!!
Wendy is excited and we are looking forward to a fun week.
tomorrow (Sunday) is the first day and the weather looks good!!
Wendy is excited and we are looking forward to a fun week.
Saturday 14 August 2010
Last task day Saturday
So, final day of the Portugese PWC competition and the organisation did their best to get us flying. We were driven to the other side of the mountain to a small take off. Conditions were not good so the task was cancelled and the competition finished with three valid tasks.
The organisation has been teriffic. They are freindly, helpfull, organised and very competant. Top marks and a total oposite to the recent Italian PWC.
Weather has not been the best, lots of strong northerly winds. That was a shame as the flying we have had has been superb with fast racing tasks.
So we will have an awards ceromony later and hopefully more free beer!!!!!
I have qualified for the Superfinal in Turkey this year. That was a dream goal for the year and I am looking forward to it . I went to Denizli (location for the final) last year for my first PWC and had an excelent time.
The Brits are looking like fielding a good number of pilots so it should be a great social event too. Wendy is already looking at flights.
So Wendy and I will be looking at the weather to decide where to go next. We have a week before we have to be in
the Spanish Pyrenees at Ager for a week long womens only competition. I do not know if they will even let me fly ;-)
I hope to help the British Women there with any advice and coatching I can provide. I will also be on take off to hold an umbrella over Wendy to keep the sun off (brolly dolly?!!)
Then we have to quickly head off to St Andre in France for the seccond round of the British Championships. I love the location and cannot wait to fly there again and catch up with the British pilots too.
I love this life ;-)))
The organisation has been teriffic. They are freindly, helpfull, organised and very competant. Top marks and a total oposite to the recent Italian PWC.
Weather has not been the best, lots of strong northerly winds. That was a shame as the flying we have had has been superb with fast racing tasks.
So we will have an awards ceromony later and hopefully more free beer!!!!!
I have qualified for the Superfinal in Turkey this year. That was a dream goal for the year and I am looking forward to it . I went to Denizli (location for the final) last year for my first PWC and had an excelent time.
The Brits are looking like fielding a good number of pilots so it should be a great social event too. Wendy is already looking at flights.
So Wendy and I will be looking at the weather to decide where to go next. We have a week before we have to be in
the Spanish Pyrenees at Ager for a week long womens only competition. I do not know if they will even let me fly ;-)
I hope to help the British Women there with any advice and coatching I can provide. I will also be on take off to hold an umbrella over Wendy to keep the sun off (brolly dolly?!!)
Then we have to quickly head off to St Andre in France for the seccond round of the British Championships. I love the location and cannot wait to fly there again and catch up with the British pilots too.
I love this life ;-)))
Friday 13 August 2010
Thursday /Friday update
Thursday we all went up the hill and waited to see if the wind would drop enough to have a task. It did not:-(
Today (Friday) is very windy. We all knew it was not going to be flyable and the locals organised a caprina party at the hotel where the headquarters are. Caprina is a local cocktail with lime. We demolished two large vats in an hour then went back to the campsite for a BBQ and party! More beer, red wine and Malibu was consumed till the early hours when we staggered off to bed!
I had some good news too- the scores for the European tour were announced. This is the cumulative results from the 3 European rounds which includes task dropping. The top 20 in the tour qualify for the superfinal and as I am currently in an excelent 8th place it seems certain I will be going! Qualifying was my dream goal for the year and I am extremely pleased ;-))))))
Today (Friday) is very windy. We all knew it was not going to be flyable and the locals organised a caprina party at the hotel where the headquarters are. Caprina is a local cocktail with lime. We demolished two large vats in an hour then went back to the campsite for a BBQ and party! More beer, red wine and Malibu was consumed till the early hours when we staggered off to bed!
I had some good news too- the scores for the European tour were announced. This is the cumulative results from the 3 European rounds which includes task dropping. The top 20 in the tour qualify for the superfinal and as I am currently in an excelent 8th place it seems certain I will be going! Qualifying was my dream goal for the year and I am extremely pleased ;-))))))
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Wednesday 3rd task
Oh dear, bad day today :-(
pushed hard to catch the leaders and got well and truely stuck. Managed to get back up but finished 20(?) mona behind leaders. Bad. That means I will fall down the overall rankings and the elusive place in the superfinal looks less likely.
Last night Xavier (PWC man) explained the method for selection for the superfinal but as there are no parameters set it means that lots of pilots will not yet know if they have qualified. Not great as in effect it means that the method of selection is defined AFTER the competitions have finished. Hmmmmm
weather looks probably ok for a task tomorrow so
if I am very low in the rankings I will be throwing caution to
the wind (and thermals!!)
pushed hard to catch the leaders and got well and truely stuck. Managed to get back up but finished 20(?) mona behind leaders. Bad. That means I will fall down the overall rankings and the elusive place in the superfinal looks less likely.
Last night Xavier (PWC man) explained the method for selection for the superfinal but as there are no parameters set it means that lots of pilots will not yet know if they have qualified. Not great as in effect it means that the method of selection is defined AFTER the competitions have finished. Hmmmmm
weather looks probably ok for a task tomorrow so
if I am very low in the rankings I will be throwing caution to
the wind (and thermals!!)
Update on Tuesdays task
Tuesdays result was better than I expected. With lead out points added I finished 6th!!!!
At the moment I am 24th overall and need to finish in the top 20 overall to qualify for the Superfinal. Hope I get some more good results!!
At the moment I am 24th overall and need to finish in the top 20 overall to qualify for the Superfinal. Hope I get some more good results!!
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Tuesday
Task 2: with strong winds predicted today the task was set shorter than yesterdays 104km at about 55km. Wind WAS strong on take off with many people (including me) getting a dragging on launch. Conditions were better in the air and eventually most people launched. I was late taking off but managed to climb and get with the leaders before the start ! Phew!
We set off down wind and never got as high as we were at take off. Rapidly making our way down course bouncing up in thermals until a final glide. I had a great result coming in 10th!
The wind was so strong that when I turned back into wind to land I was being blown backwards!!
Good result. Let's hope for more tomorow :-)
We set off down wind and never got as high as we were at take off. Rapidly making our way down course bouncing up in thermals until a final glide. I had a great result coming in 10th!
The wind was so strong that when I turned back into wind to land I was being blown backwards!!
Good result. Let's hope for more tomorow :-)
Comp task 1
Day 1 of the PWC, reports of possible storm clouds hidden by the other stratus (flat featureless clouds) meant the task was cancelled. This was the right decision. Some people flew down and as the rest of us packed we heard the thunder from the valley behind!
Monday day 2
We had an excellent task today with the meet director reacting quickly to the changing weather and setting a new task. 104km task with three turnpoints. A coach full of hapy pilots made goal! Unfortunately Alex Coltman had to throw his reserve on his R10 wing. He landed safely and I have not spoken to him to see what happened yet! Let's hope he can get his reserve parachute re packed quickly so he can fly tomorrow. The weather is looking good for the rest of the week so fingers crossed for some more good flying!!
Update: I came in the 40's, Adrian Thomas finished 12th and loads in goal. In this level of comp 10 mins means the difference between 1st and 41st!!
Monday day 2
We had an excellent task today with the meet director reacting quickly to the changing weather and setting a new task. 104km task with three turnpoints. A coach full of hapy pilots made goal! Unfortunately Alex Coltman had to throw his reserve on his R10 wing. He landed safely and I have not spoken to him to see what happened yet! Let's hope he can get his reserve parachute re packed quickly so he can fly tomorrow. The weather is looking good for the rest of the week so fingers crossed for some more good flying!!
Update: I came in the 40's, Adrian Thomas finished 12th and loads in goal. In this level of comp 10 mins means the difference between 1st and 41st!!
Friday 6 August 2010
My back has gone again:-(
Just been carrying heavy water containers back to the van and my back has started to go. I have had slipped disks in the past and know what it feels like. This time it has not gone fully so I can still walk but paragliding is out for a while hope to be ok for Sunday when the PWC starts.
Thursday and we had a task!
We had a task thursday after all! The winds dropped and we went to a tiny north facing site. The take off area was only big enough for a couple of gliders. An 'elapsed time' task was set so to as to allow for a fair chance for all. We had an ordered launch and I decided to take off early. My plan was to let the top guy Claudio to go first then start a little later. This meant I could use his local knowledge to show me where the thermals were and then I could catch him up and Finnish with a faster time. The plan worked and we raced into goal on final glide from 16km out. There was nothing in it as we crossed the line together after a full speed glide.
I beat Claudio by a minuite and a half but was beaten into seccond by his brother also by a minuite and a half. Prety fast flying as we did 50+ km in an hour and a quarter!
So I finished in third place in the comp!
Wendy took off and landed at the bottom with many others. For this she scored minimum distance which after her result in the first task was enough to secure seccond place woman in the comp! Well done!
Will update post with pictures soon......
I beat Claudio by a minuite and a half but was beaten into seccond by his brother also by a minuite and a half. Prety fast flying as we did 50+ km in an hour and a quarter!
So I finished in third place in the comp!
Wendy took off and landed at the bottom with many others. For this she scored minimum distance which after her result in the first task was enough to secure seccond place woman in the comp! Well done!
Will update post with pictures soon......
Thursday 5 August 2010
Thursday last task
Wednesday no task. We drove to a tiny take off but were finaly defeated by the wind. The wind was howling last night and is still very strong. I do not expect a task today :-(
It looks like Wendy's wind dance worked!
It looks like Wendy's wind dance worked!
Now in Portugal
We are now in Portugal in a lovely but quiet town called Linhares on the edge of the Siera de Estralas mountain range. We are both entered into a local competition which started Monday and finishes on Thursday. The local organisation is excellent with packed lunch provided. There is free camping in a nice shadey area with electricity, showers etc.
We flew a task on Monday which was great fun. A very hard first turnpoint upwind along the ridge was the tricky bit. The winner had basically won the race by the first turnpoint after only 10km! I chased hard but got stuck in an area of burnt land, black ground looked purfect for a good thermal but nothing! A navigation error at the end (not knowing where the goal was and flying in the wrong direction!!) cost me 10 mins and second place. Came into goal with 1000+ meters! Still got 4th though.
Wendy had a great day, enjoying her flying more than she has done for a while. This showed as she flew well, landing high on the mountain and finishing top women! Our team of 2 are in 5th place, great as the top 3 in any team score.
Tuesday was blown out so no flying. We sat on take off then went down into the valley for a swim in fantastic cool river water. Great.
Today (Wednesday) looks better with less wind but he military look like they may throw a spanner in the works by activating a massive no fly zone :-( We will not know until later on take off so we could be looking at a classic day we cannot use!
This competition finishes on Thursday then I have two days off before the Portugese PWC which is a 7 day event. Enjoying it here and a great relief to have good organisation for a change!!
We flew a task on Monday which was great fun. A very hard first turnpoint upwind along the ridge was the tricky bit. The winner had basically won the race by the first turnpoint after only 10km! I chased hard but got stuck in an area of burnt land, black ground looked purfect for a good thermal but nothing! A navigation error at the end (not knowing where the goal was and flying in the wrong direction!!) cost me 10 mins and second place. Came into goal with 1000+ meters! Still got 4th though.
Wendy had a great day, enjoying her flying more than she has done for a while. This showed as she flew well, landing high on the mountain and finishing top women! Our team of 2 are in 5th place, great as the top 3 in any team score.
Tuesday was blown out so no flying. We sat on take off then went down into the valley for a swim in fantastic cool river water. Great.
Today (Wednesday) looks better with less wind but he military look like they may throw a spanner in the works by activating a massive no fly zone :-( We will not know until later on take off so we could be looking at a classic day we cannot use!
This competition finishes on Thursday then I have two days off before the Portugese PWC which is a 7 day event. Enjoying it here and a great relief to have good organisation for a change!!
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