Although we had a short "barbecue" task, it was not trivial to complete especially for the pilots flying novice level gliders due to the initial leg into a brisk breeze. I decided early on to focus my efforts on helping those pilots in my group.
I kept encouraging pilots back upwind, even within the start circle. We were making slow, but steady, progress until the small group flying with me missed a dying climb. I pushed forward until I heard John say he found a climb. Since I was already low, I should have kept going forward to a promising climb, but turned around and arrived back to his position very low. John was climbing well, but I was just too low to really dig in.
When it became apparent I was separated from John and the climb was dying for me, I tried to shuffle downwind towards the airfield. I shortened the drive a little, but still had to call Sue for a ride. Sigh.
Packing up my glider for the last time after such a short flight wasn't the way I wanted to part, but it was still fun and I had plenty of time to pack it neatly for its new owner.
Although I apparently didn't learn my lesson from yesterday, I took consolation that John and some other pilots in that gaggle did well for the day.
The awards dinner at Red Wing Restaurant was lively and fun. I think just about everyone agreed the Green Swamp Sport Klassic was already a classic.
Mark and the "cream of the crop"
Trophy winners!
Flights: 1, Duration: 1:06, Distance: 8.6 km
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