Beechmont > Boonah T > Maroon > Lake Moogera
Launch conditions at Beechmont today were somewhat average. The wind was blowing from over the back for the half hour or so after briefing. Speculation was rife that we were sitting on the wrong hill and that Tambo would have been a better option.
Luck was on our side though. it started to blow up and alternate started to launch. A few of the guys managed to get up straight away and enthusiasm grew.
As the first of the guys in main launch got into their harnesses there was a flush and pretty much everyone was forced into the bombout
Obviously, this dampened the enthusiasm somewhat. As the few remaining gliders tracked for the bombout only a couple seemed to find something worth turning in. Raef and Birgit gave it a good bash but to no avail.
Then, Bruce pushes.
WTF, I swear there is some sort of collusion going on between Bruce and Big Jon who pushed me off last year in the same sort of conditions. hmmm
Not one to pull out, off I launch but there’s not much going on out front. I do manage to get just above launch but I’m barely maintaining as I drift over the back. By this time there are 10 or so gliders in the air.
All at once, everyone else gives up on the climb to try for something on the ridge off to the south near the bombout. ‘All these good pilots can’t go down’ I think to myself as I follow cautiously.
The gaggle finds nothing at the spur. A couple of guys throw in a turn or two but no one is able to maintain in the light lift.
Before launching I had removed all of my ballast to give myself the best chance of staying in the air in these light conditions. This, coupled with the fact that I am now flying the Moyes Litespeed RS, the nicest climbing glider I have flown, meant that I still gave myself a good chance of getting back up.
So from 370m below launch. I worked the zeros until eventually it turned into positives. At this point Jonny joined me after everyone else before him pulled out of launch because i just looked to sketchy. We climbed out together back to reasonable height before he took off to the first gate but I stayed around for more friends.
Jonny showed real balls launching into the very uninspiring panorama that he was presented with. He had only little to gain by performing such a brave stunt and a lot to lose. His firmly founded confidence is why he makes such an incredible competition pilot. I have much to learn from guys like him.
The course from the start gate on was quite easy. Local knowledge did not play such a big roll as it was just a day to fly the clouds.
Jonny took the first start and flies the course 10mins faster than the next quickest pilot thereby cleaning up all the arrival points for a 200 point over Rohan in second place.
Dave and I make it in but unfortunately, Barnsie is caught in the many flushes at launch and does not get away.
One impressive thing to remember, 6 of the pilots that reflew today after the 1.5hour turnround trip to the bombout made goal! You should remember this next time you are driving back up hill for a second go!
Goal virgin, Dan Shaw, sports a grin from ear to ear after making his first ever goal after recently purchasing his new Litespeed 5. Nice work mate! First of many goal beers for you.
