Chelan XC - Day 4 - Task 2

Forecast
SSW, 10kmh increasing to 25kmh, top of lift 2,600m
Actual
SSW, 10kmh increased to 20kmh, top of lift 2,800m

Task
Chelan Butte to Okanagan 68.8km - Race to goal

Comments
Winds increasing caused the task committee to limit to the task length to 70kms, Canada was very possible today.
The task was designed to make the pilots choose which route to fly. The task could be tackled from the west over the hills or the east across the flats. As the race started the field immediately split with the majority going west to the hills and 20 gliders chose the flats.
My start was not good, being 100m lower than the highest gaggle. I chose the west side more because I was lower and it was an easier initial transition rather than a clear tactical decision.
The peaks over Chelan Airport were working leeside with interesting air. Stayed there until a climb consolidated well enough to allow a glide to the flats south of Brewster, river crossing 1, reclimbed on the flats then a glide on the course line across the river again and over some green river flats.
This was the second decision point as east and west routes converged south of Brewster. The faster but longer route proved to be to keep east and fly over the higher ground of the Colville Indian reservation.
A green Boomerang marked a scrappy climb 20km short of goal. This broke up and caused a dive to the ridges in from of goal, the increasing southerly flushed us of that ridge and left us in some demanding leeside before a climb that gave enough to get to goal.

Cherie Silvera won the day, I think she flew the west route, Mike Steed actually got in first but dropped some leading out points, Mike flew the East route across the flats. The pilots that flew the east high ground leg made much better speed than my route direct to goal.

Results: http://www.chelanxcopen.com/results.htm

Lessons
Formulate your start strategy before the start gate opens - I left myself in the middle start rather than positioned on one side or other of the gate for the best start.
Be patient and make sure you have good height before major transitions. Was good to hold at the airport and climb out, also good to climb on the flats south of Brewster before crossing