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Aug
9
Written by:
Jeff Shapiro
8/9/2009 7:21 PM
Today, the first task of the Big Spring Us National comp, was a special day for most of us. We, all in our own ways, quietly remembered our friend, Rob Kells. A year ago today was his last day on this planet and I felt like he was watching us all with that big smile that was so infectious. Rob always inspired me with his kindness, generosity and belief in the power of positive attitude which he displayed until the end. He was on my mind all day and kept me smiling and feeling lucky.
We woke up this morning to the wind nuking through the trees at camp and I wondered in my sleepy haze whether or not we would be able to get a task flown today. My concerns started to fade and the excitement began to build when I heard that the task committee called a 103 mile dog leg down wind. There was supposed to be clouds and wind and although the morning was blue, the general consensus was that we would most likely have the conditions to race and I was hopeful the WW boys would have a fast run.
The start was to be different than the usual interval type. We would all have an hour to launch and to get into position before an "open" start which meant that after 2pm, we were able to cross the cylinder to begin the task whenever we wanted. It was decided to begin the task this way today because we were dealing with a 20-25 mph cross tail to the first turn point and it would be extremely easy to get pushed out of the cylinder. It actually worked out well with many of the fast pilots semi grouped up starting together.
The first leg was a bit of a slog. It was apparent that 400 fpm on the averager was something to be stoked on and that staying high was going to be a good strategy. The lift, when encountered low, lacked cohesion. I hooked up with Zippy and Glen Volk, Bill Soderquist and Chris Zimmerman. Jeff and a couple of other pilots were a glide ahead and Davis was a few k's to our west. My radio was allowing me to hear but not transmil. It turned out that I had inadvertently pulled the plug apart to my finger switch in the launch line so it was a little frustrating to not be able to contribute to our team flying but Zippy and I communicated with the obligatory "point" and some whistling. We made the turn point with Zimmerman and Soderquist about 1200' below which left Zipp and I to keep a close eye on Glen. Davis hooked up with us a bit lower and we all worked well together through the second leg which was now VERY blue. Only a couple of spots caused us to grovel and we made progress trying to catch OB who was with a rigid wing and Derrik Turner just ahead. Close to the last thermal of the day, Zippy made a circle in some lift on our way to OB and I stopped and stayed with it as it turned into 400 fpm. I watched Jeff and Zach closely thinking that I was climbing with a better value. If they groveled and I climbed well, I would fly over them to final glide. It turned out that what they were in was good and by the time I got there, they were a grand over my head. Bad decision. Glen joined me around 300 over and Davis about 800 below. Glen went first and I had to remain patient, leaving with a 12.5 to 1. Turned out that there was lift on the way in and I made goal with 600'. Not sure what the results are for the day because no one really has a grip on when they left the start circle. I think we all left pretty close together with Zippy in just in front of OB, followed by Glen and then me about 5 mins later. We shall see tomorrow what the results are.
Lots of happy faces in goal. Around a dozed I think
Glen Volk
Ben Dunn
"Dangerous" Dave Gibson
We're obviously stoked to be here;-)
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