Neil packing up under a massive cloud.We got up early, but missed our chance to get a place in the mini-busses. I ended up having to go on the coach, which takes you to the bottom of the hill, by the gorge. You then have to wait whilst the mini-busses come back down to collect you. I was on the second last bus up. We could see on the drive up that the sky was overdeveloping and that the task, if we would get one would be cancelled soon after the task opened. Speed was the essence. I got to take-off shortly before the briefing, not even having time to open out my glider and check it over. You have 20 minutes after the briefing, so I was very rushed to get ready and didn’t have time to relax and think about the task before having to launch. Because we all knew the widow was short, everyone launched quickly, so much so that they had to close the launch window so there wouldn’t be any accidents.

The task was an elapsed time race over 2 turnpoints. Chabre to St Genie (the volcano), Upaix and then back to the camp site.

By the time I got to launch (only about 10 mins after the window opened) there were many gliders already in the air and some heading for the first turn point. I found a thermal, but the drift was strong and pushed me over the ridge. I lost the thermal but there was no chance of getting back to the front. Behind a spineback ridge there is usually lots of sink, as all the lift is being drawn up and over. This turned out to be the case…

I listened in to a conversation on the bus going up that when you hear on the radio that the level has changed from 1 to 2 that you should start racing. Forget topping up in thermals. When the forecast says it will overdevelop, then they won’t downgrade the day to a 1 again and it means that the task will probably be stopped soon. Yesterday I carried on flying conservatively and didn’t race off. It was a mistake. Today they announced the level 2 conditions and I dashed off on a glide, knowing I had very little time to make ground before it was all over. The task was stopped 48 minutes after the window opened.

I landed 2.8km behind the ridge shortly after the task was cancelled, due to overdevelopment. Gillian was in the field with me, but Charlie got to St Genie, so he is doing really well. Ruth got to St Genie as well, and is now 24th overall. I am now 60th. Lessons learned?

Get to launch early. Get ready. Launch early. Race when you need to.

Paella and beers in Ribiers tonight and early briefing tomrrow. We’re expecting more of the same tomorrow. I’m learning loads here and really enjoying the atmosphere, talks and general cameraderie.

See photos of today.

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