when I choose to fly on a strong day I
don't usually regret it.
I think I speak for most of the pilots in the club when I say that we?know Mark is a skilled pilot with a good record. I also personally appreciate the fact that when Mark had a close call, he chose to share it with the list so that we might learn something.
But?stronger conditions ARE riskier. Mike Barber told us (in his clinic) that when it is windy (I believe he quoted 15 mph as "windy", but I wouldn't swear to it)?that he believes that you are not twice as likely to have an accident, but 10 or 15 times more likely to have one. Obviously Mike is no pussy; he holds the world record for distance to goal.
Once, when I related to Terry that I had been flying (on a windy day) at the very edge of my abilities, he told me the thing I didn't understand was that I might have been flying at the edge of anyone's abilities; that conditions can overpower even a skilled pilot.
This is my point: We all make our own decisions about what we feel is "safe", and different pilots enjoy different challenges. The pilot who never stretches his boundaries will have a difficult time learning, and probably will have less fun, as well.
Nevertheless, I would like to drag you off launch whenever the wind is gusting and force you to break down your glider, even though you might miss some good flights (Paul has to deal with this junk all the time from me, poor guy). I recognize that this is unfair and not even necessarily the best course of action. But fly as safely as you can. You are well loved, that's all.
Lauren