R4S Day 2 Tuesday 9/20

Daily Report Tuesday, September 21, 2022

After a fairly mundane Day 1 experience we were excited to have a much better forecast for Day 2.    The tow pilots liked the idea that there would a moderate breeze in their face that would translate to better towing margins but CD McClung was quick to note a that the task was not intended to be a ridge mission.   The winds, although the directionally good, were forecast to be too low for an honest ridge and that turned out to be the case. The lift was forecast to 6000 ft but that turned out to be a bit too hopeful.  I heard reports that although you could thermal to 6000 you probably wouldn’t because the lift decreased quite a bit.

The task for both classes was Alt Start A 5mi, Blacksburg 10 mi, Ingalls 15mi, Narrows 15 mi (that’s pronounced Nars by the locals) and FinishCyl 1mi.  Despite McClung’s comments about not counting on the ridge, the temptation for some was too great and they quickly tested the ridge off tow.   Not great, ridge but sections of the ridge could be usable, but caution was the watchword.  Most however elected to stick to thermals with only the most experienced ridge pilots using parts of the ridge and the scores indicate that.

In the 18 Meter Class it was John Seymore with 986 points (67.34 mph, 202.62 mi)  He gave his experience on the ridge about a 2 (out of 10) but it gave him enough of a boost to win the day.  Evan Ludeman won the FAI Handicapped Class and blew it out of the water.  His score was 814 with a speed of 70.27 over 222.28 miles (61.7 mph 195.16 miles handicapped). The next nearest competitor was Charlie Mampe with 50.68 mph over 162.22 miles.

The evening event was Taco Tuesday with Tacos’s Carnitas for dinner preceded by Mexican style hors d'oeuvres and Frozen Margaritas.  There was evening entertainment from a band playing Appalachian String Band and Americana music.

Looking forward to another good day tomorrow

Jim Cole, Contest Manager