Fast and Rough, Low and Tough - Mexico Day 13

Firstly would just like to say a huge appreciation to all of you for the support that we have received with your comments and following on the live tracking. It makes a big difference to us all and particularly for me with feedback on the blogs, makes it all worthwhile thank you.

Going to write this one in the "third person" after a request so let me know which way you like it :)

What a difference a rest day makes, the house awake a little later than it should but the we still managed to get ourselves up and ready for the off at just gone 09.00.  Picking up Gordon from the Safety brief his report was that there would be some wave around and a bit windier .......... the organisers were asked "would you run a Paragliding task in this" the answer was yes, that will be ok then!

Master at work on the packed lunches

Phippsy misses out on an Early Bird but almost looks relieved as they will surely be the test dummies for the air. Wayne and Steve get places on the front as early Birds and Grant carl and Gordon are all well placed. Pilot briefing and the Task gets tweeted a little resulting in a 95 k ish race to a goal by a lake off to the west.  Start gate is 11k from take off an XC in itself!

Wayne gets another early bird

Everyone is a movie star on launch

 A man appears on launch with a stunning bird and half the team get distracted and are late for the team get together to talk tactics, she was stunning though.  Kaz gets the trackers and rams one into Grants harness, we are not going through that again.  A wind dummy takes off glides out and circles up in a nice smooth looking thermal, thats better.

Stunning Bird

The sky is full of cumulus, it looks classic and could well be a fast day.  Window opens and Wayne launches, Steve gets a technical hitch and Hi-me runs around sorting hm out just in time to keep his slot. Grant carl and Gordon are all off i quick succession s Phipps waits in the trees watching them through the branches.  Good climbs reported but also not nearly as much chat as normal, wonder why, was it our team chat last night??

Phippsy launches and soon finds out why as he does not have time to press the button with the glider more like a bucking bronco than a flying machine.  Still we all make it up and set off out to the start where there are some super looking clouds.  Gliders are cruising cloud base on the edge of the cylinder with the biggest risk being sucked in.  Count down and we are off flying fast under a loud as we cross the line in strong lift at 100 kph, amazing.  Straight glide to TP 1, 180 then back towards launch. Everyone is close except wayne who has had a hard time off it in the big sink between the clouds.  Grant goes one way, Steve not far from himoff to the left, Phippsy goes with Gordon and Carl goes a little further to the right. Phippsy and Gordon drop out the sky whilst the others find good air and into good climbs.

Into the washing machine

Pulling speed to stay out cloud

and we are off

it wasn't all high flying

Things start to space out and pilots separate each trying to keep with the gaggles. As we pass launch grant and Steve are storming ahead with Carl not far behind along with Phipps.  Bad news gordon is landing having hit one of the Bg sink pockets in the wrong place, damn, damn, damn. Gordon has an exciting time as he lands in the goal field behind launch but survives to fight another day.

TP 2 comes and goes and we head off to TP 3 with Grant and carl taking the lead Brit places and not far off the pace.  Steve and Phipps head out into the flats, Steve gets stuck ridge soaring and Phipppsy flies over him a few thousand above.  Grant and carl are gliding for goal and reporting bad air on the way in with poor glide angles despite a 20kph tail wind.  Grant gets in and carl is not far behind,  Phippsy is rounding final TP and tops up based on previous info then sets off.  the air is now good and he accelerates up to nearly 130 kph before hitting something wild just short of goal and losing it for a few seconds, fortunately the glider alongside him hit the same and reacted the same keeping their seperation, phew.  Phippsy is in and Steve is on the move again and makes it in 20 minutes later to give the team four in, not bad.

Four amigos

Cloud 9 in goal :))

Don't you just love this message

Wayne finally pops up on the phone and has landed in the Piano field having had a very hard time of it and the retrieve bus heads back to collect him, those in goal fortunately get lifts back

Goal is a gentle slope in to wind down to the lake, nearly shareable in the breeze making for some interesting landings but no one gets wet!

On the road again

Back at base Kaz Wayne and gordon have organised a meal in the house and we have a fun evening with great food and great company. Once Gordon had described his "experience" he became the life and soul of the "party" making it an evening to remember.  can't even go down the lines of the conversation to protect the guilty !

Shopping for a feast

Eating in and a bit of a party ;))

We have a relatively early night and hope for a less bouncy day tomorrow, but would not put money on it.

Quote of the day "If I ever get out of this I will never fly again" how many times have yo heard that one?

Tip of the day " Hold on tight "