Hey Lauren....
I heard a rumor that Sunny and Adam Ok' d this... any news?
?
You know the answer, Jim! The Sport class is a "go" -- thanks to Davis, David, and my long lost friends at Highland. I guess Danny Brotto, Daniel B, Hugh, perhaps Alek and Brian, as well as JD who is currently flying out of Quest, oh, and Joe Smucker (who I beat at FL Ridge) will fly in it. I think this is so tremendous for our sport. I mean, when you decide to compete, you quickly realize that simply completing a task that is made for topless, well tuned gliders can be nearly impossible for a king posted glider. And the idea of coming in well is not feasible.
On strictly downwind tasks this is not true. The last day of FL Ridge, though the task was considered very easy, since it was downwind, I actually beat some of the flex pilots to goal, and one of the rigids only beat me by 12 minutes. But still, you quickly get the clue, talent helps, but if you don't have the machine, you can forget it.
So here you are, a new comp pilot. You need to buy a new glider and harness. Even if you have the money, you still need to learn how to fly and land these beasts, if you want to live to see dinner. This is a huge jump. But the Sport class changes all this.
I have just planned to enter the regular part of the comp instead, though. I have been too embarrassed to mention this in public, in view of my inexperience and skills, but... the women's worlds are being held next year at Quest. It has been suggested to me that I could perhaps compete there. But I need points, which can only be garnered at Highland or Big Springs in the US this year.
Ah, I would really like to fly with all my friends at Highland,?but how often does someone my age get tempted by the possibility of attaining something of merit? So I will scrape together the points I can at these two meets. The sport class has no points. Therefore, I will compete with the big guys. Hopefully I can complete a task or two.
?I flew the last couple of days. I was scared to go XC today because the winds were so variable but I decided to try anyhow. I out climbed some topless gliders but then I bombed out after my first turn point and had to land in field a few miles away from Quest. I managed to land OK so it was a good experience even though I need to do better.
Kudos to Kevin and Linda. Do you know Linda is ranked third for the US women? She is the real deal. She will be on the team for sure.
Lauren