Another happy day in paradise! :-)
As we drove to launch the wind looked strong from the back but the valley behind Roldanillo was covered with cloud which we were told stops the pacific wind blowing through launch - it did!
An 88km circuit starting in the mountains to Higeroncito then back to Roldanillo before heading south to Uribe and gol in Roldanillo started well with all but a handful of pilots away before start. Daniel had got his act together today to launch as the window opened closely followed by Eduardo Sanchez, the PWCA observer for the event.
The lead gaggle were going well and appeared on the horizon for the glide to goal just as the west wind kicked in in the gol field at 14:40. There followed a tense 1 1/2 hours for me as gusts ripped through the exact place where pilots were aiming. So far it seems that no none made the goal cylinder though without the wind for sure at least 30 would have been in :-(
There were a few calls to stop the task but I reason that asking pilots to land immediately in those circumstances is more dangerous than allowing them to stay airborn for longer until the wind dropped, which it did considerabley as the thermal quality decreased. The lead gaggle were already landing and had no other option so stopping didn't serve to help anyone. I'm sure there will be some complaints tomorrow morning... I might just put my fingers in my ears, sing to myself and pretend I don't hear! ;-)
Provisionally the task winner is Bernardo Medina with Denis & Eduardo in equal 2nd.
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