I think that Gerolf was the "best" pilot at the Forbes Flatlands,
but obviously not the most consistently best. He placed first twice, second
once, and third once. Going into the last day he was in first place in the FTV
version of the scoring
http://www.triptera.com.au/canungra/forbes2007/ftv_total_c1.html. He landed
out on two days, which took him out of the top ten in the regular scoring.


He flew very well on the days that he made goal, taking risks and going out in
front. He is obviously a very talented pilot, currently ranked second in the
World, three points behind Jonny.


So what happened on the last day. Well a review of his track log shows that he
went on glide from 9,300' AGL at 27.7 km out from goal (glider ratio = 9.8:1).
He flew toward goal 21 km until he got down to 1,800' with an average glide
ratio of 9:1 and an average sink rate of over 400 fpm. He then held on for a few
minutes in zero sink before landing out.


Before the task was called, Gerolf was upset with the meet director insisting on
a task that brought us back to Forbes given what appeared to be strong winds out
of the north. The meet director kept insisting on this goal despite the task
committee's objections and Gerolf left the task committee meeting. He was
obviously upset.


As it turned out the winds were not so strong as to keep 60 pilots from making
goal. They averaged 12 mph up high out of the west, northwest (the goal was to
the north, northwest) but were less than 5 mph down low. The day turned out to
be just fine for this type of task, although given how good the conditions were,
it would have been perhaps better to do a longer task.


Gerolf is a mercurial guy. One of his great strengths is his passion and the
emotion that he brings to the sport of hang gliding both as a designer and as a
contestant. He really cares. But this strength is also a flaw when his emotions
make it more difficult for him. We are all whole people and it is the whole
person that flies the tasks.


It turns out that apparently I have one more chance to win the glider from
Gerolf. He have to beat him in the Bogong Cup. But really he has to bet himself,
if I have a chance to win, and I have to be Mr. Consistency.


Congratulations to Gerolf for his fine showing on many days at the Forbes
Flatlands and for originally proposing to Vicki that she organize a meet at
Forbes in 2007.