http://flygirl.co.za/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=86


To the west looks nice: 
http://flygirl.co.za/gallery/albums/Manilla/normal_ManillaXC-Open2007_15.JPG


Not so nice to the north:
http://flygirl.co.za/gallery/albums/Manilla/normal_ManillaXC-Open2007_14.JPG


Time to land:
http://flygirl.co.za/gallery/albums/Manilla/normal_ManillaXC-Open2007_18.JPG


Will Gadd's blog: http://gravsports.blogspot.com/

The first day of the Manila XC was eventful. There are no defined
"tasks," just go XC, so it was a question of which way to go off of launch. I
choose to go with the horde heading north, but the sky was tending toward
thunderstorms. This tendency soon became a reality, and at about 55K I decided
enough was enough. I know what thunderstorm inflow (air being sucked laterally
and up into the thunderstorm) feels like--smooth, wide-spread areas of lift with
a strong flow toward the thunderstorm.


There were pilots closer to the big cells than I was, and I wrestled for a
moment between my competition psyche and the obvious safe thing to do, which was
land. I choose to land, no competition is worth the ultimate risk, especially a
competition where only your best four days of eight count.


I landed with some other pilots and soon had a ride back to the main road, then
a ride to town in the local school bus. People here a super friendly and proud
of their country, it makes for a nice landing situation.