Day 2 - Pre-Worlds. Big Spring, TX.

No task today. Washed my glider down while waiting in launch line. Some big rain storms very close to course line so the safety committee shut it down at 1:45.

Day 1 - Pre-Worlds. Big Spring, TX.

All 5 Canadians made goal today. Got to be a record.

The task was a 70 mile task down wind and to the North to a town named Brownfield.

It was a strange day for me today. The launch window opened and nobody moved. After about 15 minutes, I decided that I didn't want to get stuck in the line up and launched. By the time I was off tow, there were about 50 gliders in my launch line lined up. I was very happy to be in the cool air instead of the 40 degree heat on the black runway of the airport.

I got to cloudbase straight away but then spent the next 30 minutes dropping out of the sky. When the first start opened I was at 5000 ft grovelling for lift. I got back to cloudbase for the second start and was on my way.

It seem like there was a blue hole on course line for the group I was with all day. Every time we tried to go straight toward goal, it was blue in front of us. We kept pushing west to where the clouds were, but that just slowed us down. We ended up getting stuck in a down cycle near Lamesa. From there, the blue hole continued to be right on course line.

When I finally said screw it, I was 20 kms from goal with about a 16:1 glide. Wouldn't you know it, the blue hole was lifty and I ended up with an 8:1 glide at 12kms out.

Brett was second today. He is in good position to defend his Pre-World Champion title.

Later.

Pre Pre-Worlds

Wow, what an ordeal. I have a whole new respect for Brett, or anyone who regularly flies with a glider on commercial airlines. Travelling with a hang glider is a nerve racking experience.

Scott and I went to the airport about 3 hours early to be sure our gliders would get on the plane. We were told no many many times. It was determined that the gliders would not fit down the baggage carousel and not the 8ft elevator. The check in lady was nice. We by passed everyone in line at customs, but just our luck, their network went down as we were at the desk. Once things got going again, we tried to go through security with out gliders. The security would have nothing of it.

We thought all was lost and that we would have to endure a 40 hour drive to Texas. We walked back to the baggage carousel and asked why the baggage handlers couldn't just take our gliders down to the big X-ray machine. Aparently, post 9-11 security is much higher now.

Some baggage handlers, over hearing our plight, called down to find out if the baggage carousel was indeed a straight conveyor belt. Without hesitation, two guys grabbed Scott's glider and put it down the conveyor. Mine was next.

2 hours later, we spotted our gliders on the tarmac. We were hoping to see them put it in before we got on the plane as they weren't sure it would fit due to the extended range tanks that were put into the plane. As we sat there in our seat, we saw the gliders disappear below the plane and a large sigh of relief came from both of us.

I think the stress of flying with my hangglider took 2 years off my life. I don't know if I will do it again... haha

We spent most of Friday putting our gliders together and getting our gear settled. Today, we did more of the same and most people flew.

It is quite hot and humid here. Everyone seems to know that I don't do well in the heat. I am getting used to it, but I will likely lose 10lbs this week from all the sweating I will be doing. It is hard to keep hydrated as you constantly sweat. It isn't anywhere near as hot as Hay was a few years ago, but still damn hot none the less.

There is a large hangar here where gliders are stored. To get as many gliders in as possible, they are all put on their noses. Quite a site to see.

There are people here from 18 countries. The majority from the states. Launching should be interesting tommorrow. Two lines with nearly 100 people to get in the air with enough time to get to the start gate.