Judith writes: First task of the British Open in St Andre, France. People had thought the night before that today might be too windy, but we woke to light winds and blue skies. We all headed up the hill and a 62km turnpoint task was called. It seemed a bit cramped with 150 pilots on the hill. I have become used to a somewhat smaller number. As soon as the window opened, loads of people were off. The race start wasn’t for another hour and the start gate was only 3km away, so I launched about 20 minutes in and started to work on getting height. A huge group of gliders turned as one and started heading for the ridge ahead. This really confused me. I was sure the start was still 30 minutes off, but others started following them. I got my task notes out and checked I was right about the time. It was only a couple of minutes later that it clicked that they were getting further away, but in a much better position to glide to the first turn point.

So I tried to push out into the valley as well and followed a glider with a really good line. He fell out of the thermal, so I glided to the ridge ahead, but in big sink all the way. I slid past the lowest part of the ridge and straight into the venturi effect. I knew it was going to happen, but had little choice. I popped round the corner of the ridge and connected with good lift. With Kirsty’s advice in mind, I soared up the ridge, in lift all the time and overtook a number of people. At the end of the ridge was the promised thermal, and I started working it. However, with the strong wind I was being pushed back over the top of the ridge. Once I got enough height I pushed forward to the turnpoint, hoping to pick up something along the valley. I lost more height but found a thermal over some black rocks. I would take it, but being weak, it would drift me over into the gully. I played thermal and turn back several times and then evaluated my options. Taking a low thermal back might blow me over the ridge, and soaring along it would put me in the lee. I had watched others land and also saw strong upper winds by looking at the people above. In the end I decided that I wasn’t going to make it out of the place I was and went down to land. There were a group of us, including Martin Knight, Michal, Sander and Steve Newcomb. I have developed a new policy of cheerfulness in the landing field. No point in moping! I was happily being cheery until Martin told me that if I didn’t pack it in he’d burn my glider.

Safely downloaded, I got a bit of a fright when I was reminded about handing back my live tracker unit. I had half an hour to hand it in before my score was disqualified. I can’t get used to these newfangled rules.  

See photos of today.

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