A Classic Porterville day (we were told) ;)

To match the optimism an 84km race to Clanwilliam was set. Again, conditions on launch were light & fluffy and not at all Portervill-esque! There was congestion at start as the base didn't lift as much as hoped and the thermals were particularly noticeable by their absence!

Race to Clanwilliam

24 hours later with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and after talking with experienced HG pilots who flew, the task was over-optimistic as conditions really didn't turn on at all during the day. The hangdanglers gave up after taking 2 hours to reach Constriction reporting no thermals in Citrusdal valley and only just enough base to scrabble over the ridge before Bumpy.

Sadly, the day brought tragedy as a pilot launched without his harness straps done up. We watched as he tried to get his feet into the pod. Everyone was holding their breath and hoping that what we collectively and subconsciously knew would happen, was not going to happen. Time seemed to stop for the duration of his flight but came back in fast-forward as the inevitable did happen just after the wing stalled :(
The task was cancelled before start time and after some 'relax-time' at the waterfalls we spent a sombre afternoon of discussions and making calls and arrangements.

It was decided that a decision regarding the competition would be delayed until the following morning to allow all to reflect and consider the options without too much pressure.