Canadian Nationals Day 6

Task 5 was another race up and down the valley, 55.5km with goal to the north. Today was the most unstable day we've had all week and the forecast said possible thunderstorms late in the day so the task was kept short with an early landing time. We had more wind today than any other day and some of the glides away from launch were very slow and very sinky. There are some reliable thermal triggers just in front of launch which are two round bumps on the ridge line below - affectionately known by the locals as something like the Two Individual Thermal Starters, or T.I.T.S. for short. If we are to be anatomically correct and you imagine Lady Seven lying on her back with her nose being the launch and feet out in the valley, I was thermalling high above her right ear and at one point had enough sink and headwind that my glide angle was aiming me somewhere around her shoulder blade.

The day didn't strike me as being very flying friendly. I grabbed the start and flew back towards the second turnpoint but landed without attempting it, after task 2 I was out of the contest so I see no point in pushing the envelope any further than necessary. A gust front moved through goal and most who made it flew back to the south to land in what was reported as very strong headwind and lift up to 12m/s. Days results:

1 - Will Gadd, CAN
5 - Gav Zahner
13 - Heike Hamann
31 - James Thompson
41 - Moi



Today has set up a very interesting day for tomorrow if we can get a task. Gav beat Keith Macullough into goal today and is still in 4th place only 30 points behind Keith. Heike is 15th overall and chasing Nicole McLearn but needs 300 points to catch her tomorrow. James is 14th overall. The points also compressed between Jamie and Matt in first and second place, should be a fun day!