June 30, 2009
Day 6
We had the first blue day of the contest so far. Lift did not get much above 3500ft above ground and lift was not much more than 2 knots. Most stayed in gaggles all the way around. It was more of a survival day. I did the task at 63km/h and winning speed was 69km/h.
There are Loons......Arctic Loons
The lake you saw in the finishing photos is good for swimming, and has a beach. Many of the crews have been hanging out at the beach during flying. There is another lake next to the camping area and we went swimming in it and saw a bird that looked like a loon, and it dove into the water like a loon. We asked a Finn what the bird was, and was told that it was a Kuikka – thanks to Google I could get a translation – it is an Arctic Loon. So there are loons in Finland.
I think that the lake is a little cool for swimming – 19 C, but the Finnish think that is warm!
I think that the lake is a little cool for swimming – 19 C, but the Finnish think that is warm!
Contest DAY6
Weather is uncertain today with possible cloud from the west and drying out to blue thermals in the east so the task is an AAT nominal 358km with minimum of 200 and a maximum of 524. The weatherman believes we will have flyable weather through to Saturday which would make this a ten day contest. If this holds true there is plenty more time for everyone to make mistakes and for those who have already made them to better their positions.
Yesterday Chris produced a result more consistent with first two contest days and the practice days. Out landings penalties, warnings and airspace incursions by other competitors contributed to his improved total standing.
The tasks took a long time getting started with the last launch in club class rolling at 13:16. Large gaggles drifting towards the start gate, standard class were dropping water in preparation for the big grind ahead. Earlier the sky was punctuated with the odd cumulus but now at 14:45 there is high cirrus cover and blue thermals to around 4,000 ft. It looks like it could be tough going.
Yesterday Chris produced a result more consistent with first two contest days and the practice days. Out landings penalties, warnings and airspace incursions by other competitors contributed to his improved total standing.
The tasks took a long time getting started with the last launch in club class rolling at 13:16. Large gaggles drifting towards the start gate, standard class were dropping water in preparation for the big grind ahead. Earlier the sky was punctuated with the odd cumulus but now at 14:45 there is high cirrus cover and blue thermals to around 4,000 ft. It looks like it could be tough going.
June 29, 2009
Day 5
We had a 320km assigned task today to the west. Showers were forecast to come from the east. I had a better day then the last 2 days. The start was quite good but after the second turnpoint there was a large blue hole to pass through. I went through the hole with the Czechs and we hit nothing for 20kms. There were clouds at the turnpoint and then we had to turn around and go back through the blue. I got a thermal that the Czechs did not and gained on them and then met up with Nathan and Matthais. I thought I would get home first but got caught low. The Czechs beat me home and are at the top of the score sheet.
Scores
Scores
DAY6 Contest DAY5
There is a provision in the local procedures to extend the contest a day if only four days have been flown by Friday. Completion of a task today will make the contest official and we will have all day Saturday to prepare for the end of contest party Saturday night.
Although English is the main language members of different countries communicate in, I have been in a few situations when another language was more useful in making a clearer communication. Just this morning I was talking with one of the French crew members and after establishing Yannick lived in Strassboug to his amusement and delight we carried on our conversation in German.
Someone seems to have taken a fancy to our flag as it has gone missing from the flag pole, I have brought a spare ensign to reestablish our presence on the flag line. I guess we should be pleased someone felt the Canadian flag is unique or valuable enough to steal. Of course it might just be that the flags were purchased on the government's best price criteria from a far east supplier and that the grommets didn't hold when a front went through a few nights ago.
We have two tasks today to the west in anticipation of weather problems in the east. Task A is a 320km assigned task and Task B is a 3.50hr area task 259-575km, both tasks are squeezed in between the opposing terminal airspace areas west of Tampere. At 11:05 I was summoned to a Team Captain's meeting at the front of the grid. The standard Class are being moved to another runway because we have a slight tailwind component and we have received confirmation we are flying the assigned task A. First launch is scheduled at 12:15.
At this moment David Bargainnier father of Devin of the USA team is adding a bit of big city flavour to the warm summer weather on the ouside terrace of Café 26 with renditions of familiar tunes on his harmonica.
It is 5:15 a few landouts have been reported we are getting ready just in case as cmost of the pilots are in the same area about 30 to 40 km from the finish. Re the contest finishing Friday or Saturday that has been updated we will fly Saturday if it is flyable.
Although English is the main language members of different countries communicate in, I have been in a few situations when another language was more useful in making a clearer communication. Just this morning I was talking with one of the French crew members and after establishing Yannick lived in Strassboug to his amusement and delight we carried on our conversation in German.
Someone seems to have taken a fancy to our flag as it has gone missing from the flag pole, I have brought a spare ensign to reestablish our presence on the flag line. I guess we should be pleased someone felt the Canadian flag is unique or valuable enough to steal. Of course it might just be that the flags were purchased on the government's best price criteria from a far east supplier and that the grommets didn't hold when a front went through a few nights ago.
We have two tasks today to the west in anticipation of weather problems in the east. Task A is a 320km assigned task and Task B is a 3.50hr area task 259-575km, both tasks are squeezed in between the opposing terminal airspace areas west of Tampere. At 11:05 I was summoned to a Team Captain's meeting at the front of the grid. The standard Class are being moved to another runway because we have a slight tailwind component and we have received confirmation we are flying the assigned task A. First launch is scheduled at 12:15.
At this moment David Bargainnier father of Devin of the USA team is adding a bit of big city flavour to the warm summer weather on the ouside terrace of Café 26 with renditions of familiar tunes on his harmonica.
It is 5:15 a few landouts have been reported we are getting ready just in case as cmost of the pilots are in the same area about 30 to 40 km from the finish. Re the contest finishing Friday or Saturday that has been updated we will fly Saturday if it is flyable.
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