PWC Loma Bola: Task 5

After a day of great flying yesterday we all expected even better conditions today when we saw blue skies over head.

At launch the conditions looked good. However, when the wind technicians went out to test the wind, there was a strong wind from the north and they were barely moving forwards but the thermals looked strong and like we would have a good task.

The forecast confirmed the north wind so the task committee set a task to to fly 80km down wind, going south, as we expected that strong north to push us that way.

When the launch gate was open and all the pilots started to take-off the gaggle was getting super high, probably the highest we’ve been all week.

The race started and the first turn point was a little north and what we expected to be a bit of a push into that wind.

As the gaggle glided, I think everyone had that moment where we all realised we were going down wind, the wind direction had switched from the North to the South.

The lead gaggle that I was with touched that first turn point nice and high. Then, as soon as we turned around we all had another realisation that the wind hadn’t just switched but it was super strong now from the South. The gaggle was barely penetrating forward in a rota area. Simply put, we all sunk out after that first turn point and didn’t make it very far along the course. 

The group I was with of about 50 pilots, all landed in the main LZ in Loma Bola. We decided not to be too upset about the change in conditions and hung out at the pool for the rest of the day.

Later on we realised a gaggle of pilots behind us managed to fly a little longer. They scratched around on the ridge and got out to the valley but when they got there they were pretty much parked with no ground speed forwards and drifting so much in the thermals that it didn’t really gain you anything when you got high and pushed towards the turn point again.

It was a very challenging task today and definitely the wrong one for the days conditions. The conditions were amazing if we’d be flying North with that nice strong wind pushing us along the course.

Not the best day for everyone but all in all another day of flying and everyone was safely back at HQ at the end of the day which is all we can ask for. 

I’m stoked to still be holding my 8th place overall and look forward to the final day, good conditions and a great task where we can all fly to goal.