Well, what a day! 18m cancelled after launch, 15m on the ground. In Open we started towards a wall of rain and low cloud, somehow we got around that and found up to 2kts to cloudbase [about 2000']. After a real struggle and some best L/D glides [in some horrible gaggles] I found myself with Holger Karow, Georgio Galetto and the Poms just behind Michael Sommer. With so many World Champions around I felt pretty confident. The Danes turned right to a different cloud, it looked good but I stayed with the Germans. [The Danes were the only two to make it home!]
Just after getting into the last sector we all got low and then thermalled downwards from about 800' to 400'AGL as the lower gliders either started engines or landed one by one. The country was very Darling Downs-ish so I rolled the Nimbus straight towards a stubble paddock and fired up! After climbing to 2000' I shut down in lift and flew home with no problems - frustrating!! At least I was with good company and not a disaster day.
Perrrrhaps we fly tomorrow! [ A typical Hungarian dinner followed - about a kg of meat and potatoes and a few beers!]
Tom
Good day, Tom. Well done. Must have been frustrating to be so close to getting back, but as you say, you were in good company.
ReplyDeleteThe weather must be getting everyone down a bit, and from all reports it looks to be crap for a few more days yet. If it makes you feel any better it's raining here too!
Cheers, BT.
No (but thanks for the thought!)
ReplyDelete