RAT RACE TASK 5

Forecast was for 100F and top of lift at 9500 ft. Task call was pretty good, but we didn't expect as much west wind as we got, and so the run towards Grants Pass to Bald Hill required heaps of speed bar, but we were getting very high. Race started late at 3pm.

Task was:

Woodrat LZ 1.5K Exit
Burnt Ridge 400
Bald Hill 1.5K
Poormans 400
Donato's as Goal

To get to Bald Hill fast required leaving the lift when it dipped below 400 ft/min, and then pushing as much bar as my speed system is set up for, which is 1/2.

After Bald Hill, we turned 180 and headed back towards launch, grounds speed was 50+ k/hr and just a couple climbs to get to Donato's which was shaded out by high level cloud which was from OD to the south.

Just after Poorman's TP, I found some light lift and Rick Ray and Lindsay from OZ joined me and we climbed until we had goal on an 8:1. Lindsay left, and I was right behind him. He was pulley to pulley, I was 1/2 bar and we raced the last 10km. Rick was a little lower but close to Lindsay. We were doing over 60+km into goal and of course there was gobs of lift from Dark Hollow to goal so we got there stupid high.

Paul Murdoch was way in front of us, lone wolf and into goal first. I was next, then Lindsay and Rick. 25+ pilots in goal.

Two more days to go.

stay tuned

Brett