WW Team Pilots Blog > Pilot Blogs

Site
Web

You are here:

| Login

WW Team Blogs

This is the Wills Wing Team Pilots competition blog. Here you can keep up with the various members of our team as they progress through the competition season.

	View All Recent Entries
	Dustin Martin
	Jeff O'Brien
	Jeff Shapiro
	Roberto Nichele
	Steven Pearson
	Zac's Blog

Forbes '10

Jan 21

Written by: Jeff Shapiro
1/21/2010 9:00 AM

Just sitting here in the Kingsford Smith departure terminal after another amazing adventure flying in OZ. It's hard to even know where to start after so much has happened. I didn't have reliable net access so I'm the entire trip behind but this comp has been another life highlight, for sure. Another problem (or excuse) causing for a lack of posts was that my camera shorted after getting submerged during a violent and wet storm on day 3 so I have next to no photos from the trip, just good memories.

I arrived on the 31st and met up with friends from around the world to bring in the new year and to celebrate being in a beautiful place for another comp to remember. When ever I think of racing my hang glider in Forbes, strong climbs, fast glides and long tasks are the dominating thoughts. The temps were forecast to be hot (up to 111 F) and that only meant one thing for sure, we were going to get what we came for.

Days were saturated with the tasks at hand. We would wake early to stretch off the previous days aches and pains and try to get loaded up on fluids and fuel before racing into town for the briefing. The paddock was nice a green this year so towing, although active and strong at times, was quite pleasant. The best part of Forbes is the professionalism displayed by the organizers from the Moyes family and pilots. The field is so strong and racing with the top pilots that seem to show up each year makes becoming a better pilot a tangible opportunity.

I was rusty and anxious on the first day of the comp and ended up on the deck. Because flying fast down a course line is so confidence based it was not a good way to start off. After shaking some of the cobb webbs off I started to feel the rhythm and began to feel stronger and more in phase as the days rolled on. Flying is very perspective based. I heard an analogy once that seems applicable. When you drive down the road and look out the window at a stand of trees whizzing by, from one point of view they look like a thick and randomly spaced "mess" of trees. But, if viewed from the right place, you are able to see deep into the forest realizing that the trees are planted in perfect rows, all lining up perfectly. Sometimes, my perspective in a comp just needs a little adjustment to have things line up for a more clear picture.

One of the highlights of the trip was a barn burner, 112 mile out and return with up to a 25k head wind on the return. Zippy and I took the 3rd start because we seemed to be out of phase for the first two, which added an hour to our airtime before even getting started. It felt so good to be that tired after a 6.5 hour flight, standing next to the car right where we had left it earlier that morning. Watching the sun set that evening brought back memories when OB and I had a very similar flight a few years ago. The strong feeling of satisfaction after such a difficult task was a stark reminder that we are so lucky to get to do what we do.

The comp ended and the party was good. I got to see Curt and Lou for my last night in Sydney and was lucky enough to see a photo of their newest family member when they returned from Lou's ultrasound this morning. Good flying, great weather and even better friends. Life is good

Trackback Print

Location: Blogs

Jeff Shapiro

Tags:

9 comment(s) so far...

The Harness

How is it going man?

By Flocky on 1/31/2010 4:55 AM

Re: Forbes '10

tiffany jewelry
Tiffany Bracelets
Tiffany Earrings
Tiffany Necklaces
Tiffany Rings
Tiffany Pendants
Tiffany Bangles
Tiffany Cuff Links
Tiffany Money Clips

By tiffany jewelry on 6/10/2010 12:04 AM

Re: Forbes '10

tiffany jewelry
Tiffany Bracelets
Tiffany Earrings
Tiffany Necklaces
Tiffany Rings
Tiffany Pendants
Tiffany Bangles
Tiffany Cuff Links
Tiffany Money Clips

By tiffany jewelry on 6/23/2010 10:50 PM

ghd

Straight hair is also called power plywood, plywood popular name,
[url=http://www.theghdstraighteners.com]ghd straighteners[/url]
[url=http://www.lisseurghd.fr]lisseurghd.fr[/url]
[url=http://www.ghd-planchas.es]ghd-planchas.es[/url]
[url=http://www.ghdglatteisen.org]ghdglatteisen.org[/url]
[url=http://www.glatteisenghd.com]glatteisenghd[/url] is heated by direct current heating body hair MCH or PTC
Or hot wire, aluminum or ceramic plate conduction to heat. Straight hair, Guming Si Yi is to straighten hair, hair by heating element to heat, soften, and then really cold in order to achieve the purpose of straight hair. Now straight hair, straighten both, but also pull volume. Straight hair before, the main user is a professional hair salon barber, Europe and America from 2007 individuals have entered the home market,www.lisseurghdstyler.com
www.theghdstraighteners.co
www.lisseurghd.fr
www.ghd-planchas.es
www.ghdglatteisen.org
www.glatteisenghd.com can give your hair at home to be a SPA. 2010, straight hair will enter the Chinese domestic market, will become an essential personal care products, as popular as toothbrush.

By zzfzzf on 7/2/2010 12:50 AM

44

nice post!Awesome coverage! Thanks!Well, it should be...will be happy to be proved wrong with this one.... I have to admit to a raised eyebrow with this as well.

By Abercrombie clothing on 8/2/2010 6:32 AM

Re: Forbes '10

Nike Air Rejuven8
Nike Dunk
Nike Enfant
Nike Free Run+ 2010
Nike Free Run+

By Nike Dunk pas cher on 8/25/2010 6:20 AM

Re: Forbes '10

Nike Slippers
Nike Rift
Nike Air Max
Nike Air Rift
Nike Air Rifts
Nike Shox
Nike Shox Rivalry
Air Max 90

By Nike Slippers on 8/25/2010 6:21 AM

Re: Forbes '10

Nike Italy
Nike
Nike Scarpe
Nikeitaly
Air Max Skyline
Nike Rifts Men

By Nike Scarpe on 8/25/2010 6:22 AM

Re: Forbes '10

Vertu Constellation
Vertu Ascent
Vertu Signature

By Nokia 8800 on 8/25/2010 6:23 AM

Your name:
Your website:
Title:
Comment:

Add Comment Cancel

Search Input