Big Spring TX : 2009 US Nationals

[markc]

I've heard that a squadron of area pilots are competing at the Big Spring meet
this year, including at least Tom, Dave, Gary, Sunny, Bob, and John. Bruce is
out there too, as retrieval-driver-extraordinaire.

The comp begins today, so I figured I'd set up a sticky post here in the forums,
in case they are able to post about their flights. Don't know if they'll have 'net
access or not, but let's hope so, would be great to hear first-hand how things
are going.

(BTW guys: If anyone needs an expedited forgotten-password fix, just give
me a call at 301-807-5414)

We're routing for all of you, go Team-Highland/CHGPA/MHGA !!!

MarkC

[XCanytime]

Larry Bunner is out there also. We'll be rooting for him too. Bacil

[Lauren Tjaden]

results: http://soaringspot.com/2009usn/
Lauren

[markc]

Yo, check this out!!!!

http://soaringspot.com/2009usn/results/ ... /day1.html

Tom, Larry, and Pete all scored on Day One. I didn't realize that Pete and JD were
both in the comp...That makes NINE area pilots participating!

Go Region IX!!!!

Also found this photo album of David Glover's with pics from the practice day:

http://picasaweb.google.com/davidhglove ... pringTexas

MarkC

[hang_pilot]

Bun won! (the day) Averaging 37 miles per hour over the 85 mile task. ....AMAZING!!!

http://soaringspot.com/2009usn/results/ ... /day2.html

Pete, Sunny, John and Dave all made goal. Congrats, sky gods!

~Daniel

[John Simon]

Hey guys,
Just a quick note from hot and thermally TX. Long days and lots of great flying... ridiculous really. Bun is killing them, he almost had first on day one and misjudged the last glide. Still scored well. He won day 2 and kicked some butts on a funky day 3. He is among the leaders. Day 3 was "stopped" when some storms drifted onto course. It was pretty interesting trying to get down from 10,000 feet while the lift was 1200 fpm. I was running and trying to dive out and away and most guys ran west and landed prior to a massive gust front arriving.
I watched the gust front pass beneath me from 9000 feet and it was at least 20 miles long and maybe 30. Awesome sight. I waited it out and flew back toward Big Spring and landed 30 minutes later in 20 mph winds. Pretty sporty.
The first 2 days saw no storms so we are hoping that's it for a while. Forecast looks pretty good tomorrow and great after that. Much beer and pizza and flying going on. Bruce is the best driver in all of Texas and I've had cold beer within 20 minutes of landing each day!
The guy leading is Derrick, he flew with JD and I at the 2006 Big Spring Comp in the sport class. He was in a Lightspeed and JD and I easily outdistanced him most everyday. He is paying us and everyone else back! He is a super nice guy so it's all good. Bob and Sunny both have had record flights in distance and or altitude and I've been flying with all of our Capital guys daily. Tom, Dave, Larry, Sunny, Bob, JD and Terry Reynolds as well as lots of others each day. Much fun. Hope to get a bit faster as I made goal the other day and was SLOW.... came in 17th ! Hah.

Take care,

John

[lbunner]

I had a good run for the first five days, finishing 1st, 2nd 3rd, 4th and 6th (not in order). Today I bombed so dropped from 2nd overall to most likely 5th or 6th. I'm bummed but also looking forward to tomorrow to redeem myself.

Ciao

[lbunner]

What an awesome comp! Seven days of flying, over 20 hours in the air and 450 miles of XC. I struggled the last two days and dropped a few spots to the likes of Shapiro, O'Brien, Turner and Zimmerman. I ended up 7th overall and feel really satisfied that I gave it my best. Physically the week was very demanding with no rest days and I actually am stronger now than when I started (can you say fly yourself into shape?). The east coast contingent was well represented with John Simon finishing 12th. He would have been top ten except for one bad day. Pete Lehmann finished 14th. Bob Filipchuck had many personal bests and really flew well the entire comp. Tom McGowanflew well all week and finished 19th. Sonny had his longest flight ever and finished 19th despite choosing not to fly one day. JD and Dave Proctor made goal at least once. A good job by all. The conditions were good although a little wet. I would highly recommend this comp to more of our pilots like Mark C, Janni, Carlos etc. This is truly a great place to get airtime and miles. Just ask Bob next time you see him.

Bruce was a super help for the Ridgely gang and the rest of the competitors. He also has some advice about landing out to make the drivers job easier but I'll let him tell you about it.

[John Dullahan]

Larry,

Congrats to you and the rest of the DC area pilots who certainly put us on the competitive hang gliding map.

Your accomplishments in particular give you the standing to conduct a XC/comp flying clinic for the rest of the great unwashed - perhaps at Ridgely? Should you deign to do so I would be one the first to sign up!

Congrats again,
John

[RedBaron]

Congrats Larry. Your accomplishments are outright astounding. Wow. I'm glad I didn't go. I would have killed myself trying to kick your butt

Big congrats to crew-guy Bob. This new kid on the block already placed himself ahead of some of the old dogs flying a pigsticker. I've seen him fly. He's an absolute natural and I am very, very, very jealous.

[jimrooney]

I was reading some on the hanggliding.org list and caught this from Jeff OBrien (one of the top US pilots)....

We caught Bob - an 18 year old on a Discus - 50 miles into a task on an overcast day. The leaders struggled while Bob blazed on his own - we commented over the radio when we finally caught that "kid on a kingpost."


Go BOB!