Ridgely: Highland Challenge Grand Finale

[John Dullahan]

Yesterday was the last day of Charlie Allen's 2014 Highland Challenge at Ridgely. I was not there for all of it; neither yesterday nor the competition itself, so others may want to provide a more complete or accurate account of the shenanigans.

Arriving just after noon, the day looked promising with lots of gliders poised for launch, and the sky dotted with promising cumis. Bertrand was aloft and high; and remained there for an extended period. Despite his success, when the launch windows opened (not sure of the time) neither sport nor open class pilots were chomping at the bit to launch.

Eventually, there were promising launches under the enticing cumis, but despite some valiant struggles, both open and sport class pilots eventually dribbled disconsolately back to earth (there was one exception: Jim - ya shudda left). This was followed by desultory and intermittent launches for the next couple of hours - with similar disappointing results. Eventually tiring of this, pilots declared a work-stoppage, and the stillness of the grave descended upon the field.

At about 2:45 pm, in a bold move to rouse the troops forward, Charlie announced that 3:00 to 4:00 would be the new launch window for the open class. This produced the desired results, however, it was still a matter of timing and some open and sports class pilots returned prematurely to the fold.

Then came the first retrieve call. On the way I found all fields I passed had high alfalfa or corn - so I drove on in the hope that pilots who left Ridgely would find somewhere to land. Finding very discouraging prospects, Knut, who had called for the retrieve, deftly set down on a remote road surrounded by high crops for what seemed miles.

Back at Ridgely a considerable number of pilots had cast the surly bonds, leaving others after repeated attempts with no recourse but to gaze aloft. No retrieve calls for the next couple of hours indicated that those who got away had remained aloft and/or were well on the way to their respective goals.

Eventually Charlie sent a text, with coordinates indicating he was over an hour's drive away. Not knowing the task and following the GPS I headed south and eventually reached the Choptank River. Continuing across the bridge I doubted that goal would have required crossing the 3.5 mile-wide river west of that point. Continuing on for about 15 minutes through remote and treacherous terrain, I found both Charlie and John Simon had indeed done so, and were at goal, the only open class pilots to set down on the narrow strip of grass amidst unlandable vegetation.

After celebratory beers and posing for the on-site photographer, the pilots were eventually persuaded to depart their scene of triumph. I was generously wined and dined on the long road back to Ridgely, where only Sunny and four or five non-competitors were sitting around a bonfire. Consequently, I do not know how the sport class pilots fared for the day or the competition overall. John Simon won both the day and the open class overall, with Charlie right on his heels. Perhaps someone - Charlie? - can publish the complete results of both classes? It was a beautiful day to be out and about - even if only on the periphery of our great sport.

[John Dullahan]

Forgot to attach the neat photo of Charlie and John at goal.

[lbunner]

Congrats John and Charlie too! I missed flying there this year. See you all next year for sure.

[John Simon]

Hi John,
Thanks so much for the perfect retrieve! Great to see you up and looking well. Also very nice to see Bacil come visit and help with launch.

It was another great year for the Charlie Comp flying 5 out of 8 days. (We had flown the first 2 years every single day, that is 16 out of 16 days, so hopes were again high). The Challenge brings 10 or more pilots together about a weekend a month to socialize, swap stories, eat drink and be merry, plus we fly too in a nice relaxed atmosphere. Many of the pilots bring their families out as Highland is a great place for all to enjoy. Most of us camp out and folks cook out or occassionally Bertran cooks a feast (seriously) and we enjoy a bonfire many nights. Great fun and a great way to learn and improve XC.

We are lucky to have experienced and friendly pilots in the open class like Charlie, Jim Messina, Tom McGowan, Bruce Kavanaugh (member of '07 World Champion British HG team) and even our own John Dullahan and Felix Cantesanu signed up. The sport class had at least eight pilots signed up and they also did a lot of flying in the friendly conditions on the eastern shore.

A big thanks goes out to Highland Aero and to Charlie for putting this on for us each year and to Sami and Bertran for all the great flying, food and fun. We are very lucky indeed to have such a great, casual and enjoyable weekend XC Challenge each year. I sincerely encourage anyone who wishes to either fly, socialize, drink beer, light bonfires, do retrieves, eat or just hang out to sign up next year and come out and fly with us.

The main website is here:
https://sites.google.com/site/highlandc ... 4/register

Scores are here:
http://www.soaringspot.com/hc2014/

Take care,

John

[krryerson]

Great competition, Highland Challenge 2014, and thanks Charlie for putting it all together.

Came to Highland little bit late on Sunday and was able to get to the brief at 11:40AM. Thereafter went over to the north west corner and rigged. Got right into the start up line ASAP after rigging and was finally able to get towed up at 2:40PM.

Noticed right away thermal activity during tow and had strong hopes for a good flight. After releasing from tow, was able to find a small lift, which later turn to a bigger and greater lift. We all know how that is... . Finally made it to cloud base at ~3800 feet and had good hopes.

Though, wind direction and goal (flight path) differ for both classes and made it difficult to drift with the thermal without getting into restricted airspace. So, after topping out, decided to fly 45 degree crabbing of course; though, should have gone 90 degree of the flight path under some nice fat clouds. Ended up for many reasons to go for for this route in hope for a "blue sky thermal" popping up in front of me.

In the end after a long glide, found some small thermal activities in the edge of a field, 300 feet above, which was what I hoped for. Though too little or to difficult to stick to and had to land after a short fight.

During the last part of my flight, did as always stick out a few LZ's and decided first to land in a cleared out corn field area, next to high crop; but, decided in the last minutes to land on the "race track road", next to my first choice.

Perfect landing condition and landing, but had hoped for a longer flight.

At last, do not recommend to land on any roads; unless... .; but, this choice seems to me to be a no-brainers and you might understand this by checking coordinates 38.922718, -75.850654.

Thanks again John D. for coming and picking me up and thanks Highland for all the HG support and more.

Knut