Well done, done and medium, is it a "steak" out ? - Mexico Day Eight

Finally I catch up the blog :))))))))

So the first day go competition arrives and we are back to full strength with Wayne feeling much better and p for it.  Gordon heads off to a lively Team leaders meeting  whilst we make lunch not trusting the organised one to fill our bellies.  Grant and Carl make a couple of spectacular creations which they promptly leave in the digs along with the Team Melon.

Wayne back on board ;)

Gassing up

In the truck and the ever happy Jaimes (HI-me) drives us to the hill. The armed guard is out on the turn off and wave happily as we drive by.  The track up is watered so the dust is low, nice, a few K's up we come across two guys with bags spreading white powder on the track, we stop and ask them what it is, they don't know what or why.  Conclusion is that with all the police around they are desperately trying to get rid of the evidence , look forward to seeing some very happy donkeys later !

Turn off to take off

Coke spreader

Rigging good,Battens reset, Microlights beating up launch, Helicopters flying by and cameras everywhere it's like  film set.  Kaz goes off to watch the Tandems fly whilst we all get set up.  Another very long pilot briefing and finally a 107 k task takings into some new areas for me. Team brief then it is time to get set.  Wayne and Steve B take early bird slots and the others are all pretty near the front. Launching goes smoothly and it is not long before position 61 is in the que.

All good on launch

snug in the trees

the long wait ..........

Damn have the right hand lane, not the favourite as with the slight right hand crosswind it is the most fickle.  Kaz and a few others (including me) have a sharp intake breath as I go but all pans out fine and a good climb sees us all high in time for the start.  It's a bit busy but there is enough lift around that you don't have to mix it in the middle of the gaggles, ideal.  Glider is flying amazingly after it's bit of tuning making my life easy, must do more of this.

Launch que moving  nicely

Team GB take the first start as did most and the gliders read out,  around the first turn point and its decision tome, Steve B goes one way Gordon, Carl and Grant the other and Wayne and myself somewhere in between.  We spread out with carl pulling ahead with the leaders, Grant and Gordon in the next gaggle and Steven ar behind then Myself and Wayne covering out tails.

Round second turn point and I am catching up with the boys and Carl is still out in front, onto the high ground and Gordon grant Steve and myself meet up in a weak lift on the edge of a tree line.  After a bit of searching we fine a weak core and slowly start to climb. With a few hundred feet to spare I go for a quick search up wind to see if there is anything better, big mistake, big sink and no way back. Gliders are starting land and it is not long when I join them, oh how silly.  Still another good landing this time at 9000' and more excitable Mexicans to greet us.

welcome committee

Wayne drops in to join me

The boys carry on in the slow climb and are finally on their way.  More gliders come into the field including Wayne 15 minutes later taking the total to fifteen, at leat I have company.  Carl makes goal in a good time to be top Brit, Grant, Gordon an Steve all get in but not as fast as they would have liked but at least they are in with the other thirty odd.

Live tracking gave a good idea of the scores early although they do not include speed points so things will change and to be fair you guys probably know them before we do!

So a safe task although one glider did come down under parachute following a tumble I believe, pilot ok with minor injuries.

Feeling pretty good myself so hopefully on the mend big time :)

Quote of the day " I'll take the "high" road

Tip of the day " when you are hungry, don't get greedy"