Rat Race - Task 5 - Day 7

Weather
Actual
Blue, inverted, smoke laden from the fires in California
1,700m, 1-3 ms

Woodrat – Day 7 – Task 5
Rabies, Burnt, Woodrat, Rabies, Cemata, Donado

Comments
Stable, light northerly following an overnight southerly.
Launched early, climbed 200m above launch, worked the top area then watched David Wheeler cross to Burnt, he took some turns so Matt Senior and I headed over.
Burnt was not working very well, David got flushed off and Matty and I dug in as the gliders on Woodrat made better height waiting for the start. Matty and I split, I went North to the spines in front of Burnt, Matty focused on midvalley between Burnt and Woodrat. I found the first climb and recovered to 1,400m but ended up 1.7km outside the start gate, with 7 min to go.
The Woodrat comp gaggle decided Burnt was the place to be and promptly headed over to a rather non lifty burnt ridge.Interesting to see them spread out and hunt down whatever lift was available. An efficient machine, a hungry gaggle.
Made Rabies and Wood Peak then Rabies again. My glide to Rabies was poor compared to several other gliders, got in lower and turned immediately for Burnt. Weak thermals to no more than 1,400m. Got into Burnt low but worked up with Matt Dadam, moved across to Cemetary with 5 other wings. Lift was scarce. Jack Brown, Dean and Bill Hughes had moved forward before and were not marking/finding anything.
At Cemeta found a downwind of the 1km circle and stayed with that for a long slow climb that topped at 1,700m. Bill Belcourt and I lead out the glide to goal from 12km.
Long lightly tail wind glide giving 10/12-1 LD. Bill had 30ft height but we were side by side.
Neither of us wanted to use speed as we were not sure we could clear the ridge before goal. When we eventually had a clear glider over by perhaps 10m we both accelerated through the rotor and sink for the remaining 3km.
I eventually took the first collapse with Bill taking another very soon after. Left me with a couple seconds ahead of Bill to take first in.

Flight, Results

Martie took the no 1 spot for the competition after Dean Stratton made goal but stuffed up his start time - he missed the gate by 2 minutes. Hard lesson to learn

This flight is dedicated to my father who died 2 days ago. He bought me the 5020 which guided me into goal today - his spirit was waiting at goal at the end of the long 12km glide. Love yah poppa.

Lessons
The day is usually better than it looks.
Fly the glider at the speed you would fly on your own, do not be distracted by the speed and glide of other wings.