An out and return to Tomingley was called 185km. Conditions start off light in the padock. Eventually he usual cantidates assemble at the start gate over the quarry tto the north of the strip. We are in a good place for the start at 9500ft. The usual start gate games are played and a group of pilots leave at the first start. Most of the guns hang around for the second or third starts.
I take the second with Lucas, Noma, Pedro and Guy amonst others. We scream all the way to the turnpoint. I tracked to the east of the Nth Parkes mine and get a great run to Peak Hill before catching the guys from the start gate in front. Some of the real quick guys from the last gate catch me in the same spot on the way back after the turnpoint.
At this point Jonny, Blinky, Balaz and I get a nice little gaggle happening and cover the next 50km very fast despite the 20km head wind.
Wow it’s fun to fly like this with Jonny. I have learnt that one of the biggest differences in our flying style is the speed in which he cores a climb. We glide in at 90kph and with only minimal deviation he has found the core and in one movent it’s VG off and we’re rocketing up at 4m/s. Pretty to watch.
The fast run continues back to within 20km of the airport where a change of gears it required. It takes me 40mins to cover these last few kms. Damn I was scorching too.
After eventually making it in I find that my story of woe is a common one and we get into the beers to drown our sorrow.
Dave was also really moving around the course after taking the last start with Jonny. At one stage it looked like he was going to catch me but unfortunately he landed 40km short. Barnsie, up to his usual tricks of staying in the air forever landed just 10km short of goal. Great work Dustys!
