Day 1!

It was windy all last night so it looked great this am with light wind forecast and puffy clouds in the sky.

We took the early  lift to launch and set up our shade tent thanks to Rob. The sky clouded over and we wore all our flying clothes to stay warm while waiting for the 2nd group to come up.

Eventually some sun came out and 65 km task with 3 turn points was called. By the time the start rolled around it shaded hard, forcing those who launched early to land and the rest of us to wait 45 minutes after the official start to finally launch into slow climbing giant gaggles. It was spectacular. 

Eventually we got to cloud base at 7000 feet or so and pushed east along the range to the first turn point.

The gaggles split up and I was behind the leaders as they tagged the first TP and groveled back under me as I cruised to get it myself.  The gaggle split again and some flew to the valley to the next TP. The rest patiently climbed back to base and Arnie and I were were among them. The gaggle unwisely chose to retrace our path back and we flew into shade and everyone scattered and landed. Turns out 25 or so made it into goal and they chose the valley for the whole flight. Maybe I wasn't with the leaders after all!??  Rob was there to pick us all up and rolled up to me and Arnie just as I finished packing. Nice!

Rumor has it I went the farthest today, a mere 600 feet farther than Arnie. Woo hoo!  Tomorrow is another day and I hope to make goal. Having the time of my life. Grateful does not begin to describe how I feel as I sit here chowing down with the team right now. Yum!

 Gotta finish my food, so hopefully more fun news tomorrow. 

Cheers,

Marty