Seems I was bound and determined to finish what I had started here in Roldanillo 2 weeks ago in proper fashion. I've never been more confident in knowing what I must do to be competitive in such a strong field. Never have I had such magnificent training and opportunity to hone the skills necessary to up my ranking. Never have I been in such a wild ride of mental conflict in skill versus execution! Everything I need I have. Everything I need to know has been demonstrated to me numerous times here in Roldanillo. I couldn't ask for better mentoring, a better glider, a better field to race with - it's all been here and given freely. I don't usually keep a diary or record of my competition flying, but after this experience I am putting it down on paper as this was the ultimate training session and I simply mustn't let it's content drift away. I don't know if I'll be able to execute and progress, or stagnate and fade away. I do know that I have all the pieces of the puzzle within my grasp!
Day 6 was yet again another spectacular flying day. Again my goal was to be a team player and see if I could hang with the gaggle. I started strongly and ended up nicely positioned with the lead gaggle, turning with all kinds of great pilots and heading out on the course line sitting beautifully. Once again, it was a frustratingly easy choice for me to leave the lead gaggle and forge out on my own - chasing a big climb off the course line. Once again the synergistic strength of the strong pilots working together was able to easily overcome any strategic move I thought I might be making, and even though I found a nice climb to base, I was immediately behind once again, with an almost impossible chance to catch up. I made a valiant effort, and was almost successful at the third turnpoint, but the lead gaggle was just too fast and strong, brilliantly getting centered in each climb quickly and efficiently.....
Another day of non-stop smiles at goal with many pilots, along with myself, enjoying one of the best weeks of racing in their flying careers! The Colombian people, especially those in the outlying areas, were so free flowing with hospitality and genuine good will, that it begs one to want to return and do it again. What a contrast to Valle de Bravo where more often than not it's become all about getting more and more $ from the gringos any time and any place that they can - a sad evolution at a great flying site that hopefully won't be repeated in Roldanillo.
The food here is great and the accommodations are a nice 2 star- I'm not aware of anyone either last year or this who experienced any stomach issues from the food or water. Breakfast includes a daily large bowl of cutup fresh juicy papaya or mixed fruits along with scrambled eggs with ham and onions, bread, and a great big glass of fresh squeezed OJ.... all for about 3 bucks. I've had excellent pizza, lasagna, top sirloin steak/potatoes/veggies, nice salads, and one of the best "hamberguesa" creations I've ever eaten from a street vendor....
Because the PWC rules only allow 6 days of flying if they are all fully valid, which they were, the 7th day - Saturday - is a free day for flying, shopping, or R & R. I chose the R & R! after 44 hours of flying over the past 2 weeks. There was a big party last night with all you can drink for only 15,000 Colombian pesos (about $8). I passed as I was afraid that the French pilots would all get too drunk and beat me up!! Honestly though, I just wasn't feeling it for drinking and socializing....
Tonight is the awards party and then a painfully early getup at 3am for a 7am departure from Periera... I finished in the 20s, and am happy with the whole thing considering the invaluable experience I've gained. I wished I'd had a better finish as it would have brought more WPRS points to our nation's ranking and maybe helped get a 4th position at the FAI Worlds this summer. As it was it looks like we should improve from our 10th place Nations position with Nick and Josh finishing so strongly.....
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Roldanillo Day 5
My game plan for day 5 was to try and work on my gaggle flying and be a better team player. My starting ability has really improved, partly due to the features of the Compass Cpilot. I started again beautifully, and was positioned well on the first glide. I was behind Brad G who was leading out, and having a nice glide... Most of the gaggle was to my right, either at my same altitude or higher. Not 5 minutes into the first glide, the air mass in front of me seemed to just separate. I found myself in serious sink while Brad, less than 500 meters in front of me, was in zeros or better. The entire gaggle to my right was also doing just fine, but my situation was quickly changing. I couldn't dive back in under the gliders to my right, as the terrain situation wouldn't allow that as a safe move - just nowhere to bomb out in that direction. Instead, I was forced to fall off to the terrain along the valley floor, and then work to get re-established. I took the biggest drilling since I'd been in Roldanillo, also finding the strongest wind I'd experienced as well. I was literally down to almost not penetrating with as much speed as I'd dare to push. I eventually rounded the ridge really low, and started the long process of getting back in the race. It was a struggle, and by the time I had recovered, I was more or less out in the valley, while most of the field had disappeared on course in the mountains. It was slow going from there with no gaggle to work with.
It was another great racing day, and there was no catching up to be done with such talented pilots gaggled up and racing strong. Myself and a few other stragglers brought in the red lantern to goal just barely making it when the sea breeze came in strongly across the valley. It was one of the more tense moments I've had here as I found myself with 3 others on a ridge well into to some light to moderate terrain, with only sketchy hill side lzs as possible landing options. There were better fields out front, but a huge power transmission line was just before. A safe landing became the top priority, so we started ridge soaring to gain enough altitude to go over the back to a safer landing spot. Just when the heart rate was starting to climb, we spotted a gaggle of vultures in front of the ridge who were struggling to keep good form in a huge thermal that was letting go. We all just rocketed to cloud base and were able to make the final glide to goal. I left on a 3 to 1 glide and only had 150 meters or so left over the goal....
From 8th overall to 104th on day 4, and up to 83rd on day 5 - whoo hoo here I come!! The heck with the score - the flying is so beautiful and fun here it's hard to get too bent out of shape on the results.... tomorrows gonna be another great race day!
It was another great racing day, and there was no catching up to be done with such talented pilots gaggled up and racing strong. Myself and a few other stragglers brought in the red lantern to goal just barely making it when the sea breeze came in strongly across the valley. It was one of the more tense moments I've had here as I found myself with 3 others on a ridge well into to some light to moderate terrain, with only sketchy hill side lzs as possible landing options. There were better fields out front, but a huge power transmission line was just before. A safe landing became the top priority, so we started ridge soaring to gain enough altitude to go over the back to a safer landing spot. Just when the heart rate was starting to climb, we spotted a gaggle of vultures in front of the ridge who were struggling to keep good form in a huge thermal that was letting go. We all just rocketed to cloud base and were able to make the final glide to goal. I left on a 3 to 1 glide and only had 150 meters or so left over the goal....
From 8th overall to 104th on day 4, and up to 83rd on day 5 - whoo hoo here I come!! The heck with the score - the flying is so beautiful and fun here it's hard to get too bent out of shape on the results.... tomorrows gonna be another great race day!
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