Worlds 2007, Day 8

Today started out very blue, but free flyers were getting up off the north launch before noon, which is good sign. Nice clouds were building to the north west of Mt Borah.

The task was a 57km task that had a couple turn points on the way south to Tamworth. The ground is still super wet, and after the race I heard several pilots say the flying reminded them of the worlds at Brazil 2 years ago - a test of patience with very weak and slow conditions... Pic is of Tomas Brauner.

The race started at 2:30 with big Cu over Borah. The course had a few clouds, but got bluer towards goal. Off to the south east were huge thunderstorms, it was quite a dramatic backdrop when watching the lead gaggle race in.

Today was another day where if you didn't fly with a gaggle, your chances of getting to goal were slim. Twice I saw a pilot break from the lead gaggle and then eventually glide to the ground. It was a really, really tough day.

Approximately fifteen of the pilots in the lead gaggle made it to goal about 6pm. Heaps of pilots landed just short of goal, I saw at least 10 land within a few hundred meters of the goal line. The glide into goal was over a series of athletic fields separated by rows of trees and fences. I saw one pilot threading through a couple trees to get to the main goal field, but still landing 100 meters short of goal.

First in goal was Christian Maurer (pic on left), second was Tomas Brauner, and third in was Petra Slivova (pic on right). I think Petra is first overall, she is flying very well indeed! None of the Aussies, Kiwi's, Americans, or Canadians made goal today....

Tomorrow's forecast looks ok. Results should be here.

Stay Tuned