The day started out looking very promising with plenty of sunshine as we went up to launch and the expectation of little humidity and a blue day. However as the cloud developed the area in front became very shaded and killed all thermic activity on the mountain. Eduardo did todays briefing since 'Mickey Mouse' now has the voice of Mickey Mouse.
We opened the window at 10:05 but a lack of any air movement even kept Daniel Vallejo on the ground. Since no one had launched we rebriefed and moved all times back by 30 minutes by which time things had started to develop nicely.
All those who felt inclined to launch did so within 50 minutes of window opening allowing us to scurry down and start the journey to goal. On the way we heard of a reserve deployment over the cantera - again - this seems to be the one place that can bring even the most experinced pilots to grief here. Fortunately the pilot concerned landed safely after flying his rogallo reserve to the main road, but he caused lots of consternation amongst a few pilots who saw his glider free-flying without pilot back up the mountain after he had used the quick-outs!
The other unfortunate matter of the day was Sebas' gps disconnecting itself from his flightdeck in a turbulent climb at start and plumeting to the ground somewhere near the quarry to leave Seb with min. distance :-(
25 pilots arrived in goal with Denis Cortella winning the day again arriving 25 minutes before Mike Cristianson in 2nd. Liliana was the first and only chica to make the distance earning herself a new Colombian distance record in the process - Felicidades Lili!
Thankfully all pilots were accounted for and processed before 8:30 so I can finally have an early night to compenesate for the ridiculusly early mornings.
! Hasta mañana !
1 comment:
Hi Nicky "Mouse"!!!
I´m following the competition through your blog, which is the better source of information of what´s going on there.
As you said, the "cantera" is a mythic place. There´s a saying "If you can beat the cantera, you can fly wherever you want". But Daniel, maybe the most experienced pilot in COlombia, always has said that the cantera is a child´s game, compared with Castejon for example.
I used to compete, unfortunately, I broke my back 2 years ago in a flight accident, after seven years of flying. Actually, Daniel was my trainer and Liliana was my flying mate for a while. I had a great phisycal recovery but my mind and my soul are still injured.
I hope you enjoy your time here in our country. We know that we´re far from the PWC standards in many ways, but there´s people like those who organized this competition who believe in our country, our pilots and in our passion.
Please say hello to everybody there and congrats to Liliana.
Kind regards,
Juanfer
Pilot Nickname: "El Caleño"
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