Triangular

[John Simon]

A couple days off this week and finally some good luck with the weather after cursing myself everyday last week. Monday, Bob and I met out at Highland and we were hoping Janni would meet us for some XC and he was gonna fly my Discus later in the day. Alas, work or some other God awful problem arose and no Janni. Bad luck. We had light winds and setup a little 27 mile triangle. We both launched around 2 I think and immediately bombed out. Pretty sad. Bob launches again and the sky looks fine, but he's coming down fast and he got off early. I go up and pin off at 1700 in light lift and drift while Bob sets up again.

I stoog into the sweet spot and begin climbing madly at 2500' as Bob is dropped off right next to me. We both zoom up to the clouds at just below 5000' and 600 fpm. It will be the best climb of the day. We head out and fly together for an hour under dark and fully clouded skies. There is weak lift everywhere and we stop often to try to find a core to little effect. I am trying to be conservative as I usually race myself into the planet after one or two good climbs. The first leg is crosswind with a bit of a tail and we get to the first TP and I'm high while Bob's a bit lower. He is losing a bit on our glides I think, the Discus is good but I have the advantage in the Combat.

We hit lift but I'm higher and it's ratty. He is the blender down low and I don't envy him. I am able to squeak out a climb while he lands while he is getting beaten up and can't find something nice to climb in. I set off from 4000+ and find light lift on glide into the second TP. I get a weak climb and am now just 7 miles or so from Ridgely. My 5030 says I have it with 10 feet to spare, and the headwind is nil?! I lose the lift and head out, arriving after an insanely low glide (for me) all the way into the airport. Still I arrive at 300' and finish my FIRST triangle. I've set out on many... but this is my first finish and I am digging it. Beer!!!

TUE: More of the same, Bob and I... just climbs to 7400' and a 45 mile triangle. Lift is mostly 2-400 but gets up to 500 a few times. Bob sees better climbs early on. The last leg is 20 miles into a 7-10 mph direct headwind and the climbs are weak at 4:30... It takes me forever and I finally squeak in on a 6 mile straight in glide to the Sock field and land with nothing to spare. Bob is already back after he hit the first TP and landed. 2 triangles in 2 days... wow. I feel a bit better now.


See ya guys Sunday,

John

[mcelrah]

Nice write up! Thanks for not rubbing it in too bad for us working stiffs. Congrats on the triangles. I hear ya about racing oneself into the planet - it's such a temptation to just get over one more obstacle before getting serious about finding lift again... I just wanna get to the beach someday... - Hugh

[RedBaron]

Great job John and Bob.
Wait until you guys hear about the climbs we had

[John Simon]

Nice job Janni!!!! Busting out on the other thread... WWWWoooooooooohoooo! Glad to hear you guys had a great day too.


John