K day 2 and day off report
Day 2 dawned a nice day. Gary predicted a much lower likelihood of OD which we all were grateful for. Dry air would be advancing from the north so the expectation was maybe some OD far to the south, reasonable conditions over Moriarty and bluing to the north. Winds were from the East again although not quite as strong, so the hope was for some streeting.
Bif set up a 6 turn Area Task which was 3 areas repeated. With the east wind it worked out that you could more or less work the wind line and hit them all.
The launch started late as cloudbase was slow to rise but once everyone was up we had the altitude we needed to go out on task. No worries about the tag up altitude again since it was well above cloudbase.
I think all the pilot enjoyed a more or less normal soaring day. Some short streets were out there, otherwise regularly spaced cu. The large area at Encino did have a blue hole in it so we had to think a little about how to get our distance. Strangely, the thermals over the high ground to the east and west were weaker and cloudbase lower. Universally, every pilot felt it was a so-so flight and that someone else out there was surely unlocking the day and going much faster. In reality the really good climbs were just far apart that we all had to take some weaker ones to keep moving.
In what has become not too surprising, Gary Ittner won the day.
Yesterday dawned with a fog layer in the valley. Not too encouraging. At the pilots meeting it was announced that the day was cancelled due to concerns about the quality of the soaring conditions combined with possibility of Storms apporaching around 5 PM.
After the pilots meeting we held a Rules meeting with Bif and I presiding as the Rules Committee members. It was spirited and productive. We are lucky to have pilots who are passionate about the sport.
Last night the entire contest and many of the locals joined together at Hangar 28 to celebrate Mitch & Kimmine Hudsons 10th wedding anniversary. They were married right there in that hangar and what better way for them to celebrate than here at the contest! The contest beer wagon and Gary Ittners homebrew were enjoyed along with a good meal catered by Nachos restaurant in Moriarty.
This morning I'm hearing rumors of very bright colors on SkySight so I better go get my glider ready,