Pre-PWC Santiago: Task 4

Today’s task was really nice, it was just over a 100km set to first fly to the South of Santiago.

There was quite a few turn points in the same place, each with a different radius to move the pilots in and out the turn point.

Then we headed up towards the goal with some nice turn points and conditions on the way.

I made a mistake at the first turn point by getting too low. The leaders here are flying really fast, so once you make a little mistake and you get behind, it’s really hard to catch up.

The only way for me to catch up was to push extra hard and take some risks. So that’s what I did to join the lead gaggle again. I pushed along the ridge low and fast, only turning in thermals of +7m/s or more. I wasn’t even stopping for +4 or 5 m/s.

Then I found myself in front with Marc Wensauer and Romania pilot, Cristian Deacu. It was the three of us from about the halfway point leading the race and working together but also racing each other to goal.

Congratulation to the pilot who came into goal first today. He was really low below us for a long time and I really thought he was going to land so many times but he kept getting a little something to keep him going and he flew like that for 20km. That’s a massive win for him that paid off nicely.

Unfortunately there were two separate helicopter rescues today and one of the pilots didn’t make it. My thoughts are with the pilot’s family and loved ones. The community always hurts on such occasions, may you fly free now. I also want to wish the other pilot a speedy recovery, thoughts are with you too.

Out of respect for the pilot who passed we have decided to take a rest day from competing to pay tribute.