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 

Opening ceremony

Having seen and watched opening ceremonies at other comps or on you tube, this one was similar in many ways.  The local traditional dancing was reminiscent of several other cultures but did not disappoint.  It was hard not to want to dance along with them as did most of the local and visiting children. 

Ladybug girl 

Our team sign and flag bearer lead us with all the others in the parade. 

Everyone was in a festive mood and the locals lined up along our path. 

The parade took us up to the chair lift station (about a mile walk) as the sun went down. Once there a circus troup with mimes and performers on stilts entertained us as we enjoyed bratwurst and fries with beer. 

Eventually the sky grew dark and the stilt walkers performed with fire and smoke. It was really enjoyable to watch. 

The windy forecast was all too accurate and the wind was blowing early the next morning, taking away our official practice day. The extra time we have had has allowed for pilots to put the required numbers on their gliders, put stickers on our helmets and tweak our gear. 

We have quite an assortment of animals living at our house we rented. There are two cats, one black, and one gold and white. Two small turtles roam free and a coop full of pigeons too. 

Thanks for tuning in. If the weather becomes flyable tomorrow we will start racing!  

Thanks for all the love and support. It's been really wonderful. 

Cheers,

Marty 

registration day/ opening ceremony

FYI---Facebook page that we will all be making comments to and uploading photos to is here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Paragliding-Team/209439312410942

We had a nice sit down breakfast together this AM thanks to our house host who made us French toast, salami, cheese, Spanish olives and fresh espresso thanks to Nick who purchased an espresso maker at the store the day before. 

North winds will keep is grounded for today and likely tomorrow (over the back wind doesn't work here). So we will check in today, and register, and parade for the opening ceremony tonight. 

Our house has several rooms and has a back patio with a canopy overhead with grape vines for shade and a fountain too. It is very pretty here and especially in the morning.  

Upstairs covered porch area outside my room with Rob. 

Looking down at Canadian pilot Brett Hazlett and Josh Cohn below through the grape vines. 

It is the start of our day, and the end of the day at home. Sweet dreams from the other side...

Cheers,

Marty

First day

I got up around 9:30 am and was told we'd need to hurry to get a flight before thunderstorms developed.  We took too long at breakfast and went up the tram late, around 11. The view was nice and it gave us a chance to see the area, though we heard thunder shortly after we reached the top of the lift. 

Many launched quickly (that were there for a two day comp ending today) but everyone had to descend fast and those that didn't got a good blow from the gust front from the rain cloud. No injuries, but it did reinforce our good decision to ride the lift down. 

Lunch ensued and we ate with the British and German teams. Ordering is a challenge and you are wise to keep a sense of adventure and come hungry!

A nap was in order, and my jet-lag genie app has proven to be a real gem.

There is a fountain in the main square that I'm told is excellent drinking water. 

It's 9:15 pm now and we managed to  find  an open restaurant in this small interesting town. 

 Tomorrow is check in, registration and so forth.  The next day is the practice day. 

Good night from Bulgaria!

Marty

PS. I had some stow-away notes in my luggage that were just too sweet:

Thanks Carmen, Mia and Darla. Now I can decorate my room!  Love you all!

Home for now...

Josh and I met up at Munich and flew to Sofia where Rob and Nick were there with some tasty McDonalds and a rental van to drive the two hrs to Sopot. Josh's glider didnt make it so he did the paperwork and we will sort it out tomorrow. It's 1:30am and bed time for bonzo.  

Josh sorting it out in lost and found. 

The room with antlers will do fine. 

City center:

More when I'm awake.  Oh, and Facebook is where all the blogging will be.  More on that soon. 

Cheers,

Marty

I'm off to Bulgaria!

After a nice American lunch at Red Robin (burger, fries and a Coke) with Carmen and the girls, I'm on the shuttle and on my way to LAX. 

I'm feeling pretty comfy in my Pearl Izumi socks, shoes and jacket!  I love my team jacket from USHPA too. Nice 

Thanks USHPA for my fly jacket!

Rob, our team leader is already in Bulgaria and has the rest of the team with him at the Team USA house. He'll be back to Sofia to pick Josh and me up tomorrow night. 

My next post will likely be from Munich (change of planes) or the day after tomorrow in Sopot, where we will be staying. 

Thanks for all the warm wishes!

Cheers,

Marty

Rat Race was a success

The forecast was spot on, and unfortunately we lost the first few days.  The practice day was, however very good and those that chose to fly ahead of the rain had great flying to tide them over the days to come.

Nicole shows Pete her wrist X-Ray after tossing on the practice day.

 After several days, we went up to launch to see fog, which lifted and gave us a short task.  Nobody in goal, but many landed together.  Marco and I landed with many others.

The Armada at the start on the last day.  Fun 3 full days of racing!

Mad props to Torsten and Michael Sigel who pushed the lead gaggle while they were there.  Michael won it but Josh took the final day ahead of him into goal. Nice Josh! Way to go Nick and Eric too. 

  Bill Belcourt took the trophy for sport class. Marco Edged out his dad for 2nd place, Luis ending up in 3rd.

Off to the world championship in Bulgaria!

Go Flying Monkeys!...not to be confused with the Hawaii thermal research monkeys.