Its been a day of contrasts - strong wind forecast for the area at all altitudes but none on launch. (Though wind above and below!) Happy pilots and some very grumpy pilots.
Those who launched early took good climbs to 2500m+. Some started late (due to the elapsed time format) and didn't really get much height from take-off and were playing catch-up from the beginning in conditions that didn't allow mistakes to be made or climbs to be ignored. Many of the early group pushed for the direct line back to the take-off tp, got very low in the lee and landed early in turbulent conditions whilst those making more tactical decisions and staying above take-off height enjoyed a relatively turbulence-free flight. The following groups were able to learn from the mistake and top-up altitude before making the return to the take-off turnpoint. 1 pilot was grabbed by a particularly vicious thermal and after a brief cascade landed with scratches and grazes but no other injury in the trees below launch.
The 'pressure cooker' of pilot opinion in the landing field was calling for the task to be stopped whilst those flying were saying conditions were OK.

Sometimes being MD is a really lonely task - you can never please all and trying to do so will often end in tears and tantrums! Safety of all pilots is ALWAYS my 1st priority but from the ground it is imposible to understand exactly what is happening in the air. Many pilots having problems low didn't call-in with conditions reports or they claim to have reported but didn't come through on the safety frequency (some were using 'imaginary' radios, radios that don't transmit, other frequencies .. its amazing what you discover when you feel the need to go check out some of the allegations of a deaf / ignoring Meet Director!) The pilots flying were almost all saying level 1 and 2. The guys in the bomb-out were saying level 3 ... ... ... ...

Anyway, the task ran to its conclusion with about 25 in goal, and about 70 below 20km. I have been told both that I am a shitty MD who ignores pilot safety and been complemented on holding-my-nerve under stress!
Most of the goal guys and girls said it was never anything above level 1 / level 2 but for sure, as one pilot put it "if you wanted to fly in shit there were places to find it" !

The only thing that is now sure is that the GIN party tonight is very very welcome!! :)

Quote of the day from Seyong " for those pilots who survive the turnpoint it will be easy!"