Finally, the forecast turned around and we had a prediction for
5,000' cloud bases and top of the lift with lift 400 - 500 fpm. The winds were
predicted to be out of the north at 11 - 14 knots, so not an out and return day,
but a good flying day.



As we prepared for our 1 PM launch window the cu's started forming over Quest
Air starting from the north. And they weren't just wispy little things but fully
formed cu's a few hundred feet thick.



Jonny, Kraig and Gugga got into the line early and launched right away with me
behind them. We got up quickly under the clouds and they were working fine. It
was no problem getting to cloud base.



Then Kraig, Jonny and I worked upwind and to the east to try out the strategy of
going to the east side of the start window to have a more direct line to the
first turnpoint south of Wallaby on highway 27. We found lift but not strong
lift and the clouds were thinner over toward Clermont so this line of reasoning
with soon abandoned and we headed back for the thicker cu's and better climbs
over Quest Air.



The race started south of Quest along highway 33 for the most part at 2 PM, the
first start clock. The launching had gone like clockwork so almost everyone was
able to make the first start time. It sure helps the pilots to get going and use
the tug resources efficiently when they see cu's over their heads.



We climbed up under a cloud at the edge of the circle and most pilots got going
with some holding back for the 2:15 PM start time. The task was 138 kilometers
and pilots were high and at the edge of the start circle so there was a natural
incentive to get going when you also face a 11 mph wind pushing out of the start
circle.



The cu's got thinner to the south as the pilots headed for the first turnpoint
at the 27 and 544 intersection, this put them over the higher and drier ground
where lift would be less of an issue.



The next turnpoint was east of 27 on highway 60 which comes out of Lake Wales.
This was the first zig in the zig-zag course that required pilots to do
something other than just flail on down wind.



The second leg got soft with only a couple of ragged cu's on the course to Ft.
Mead to the west of 27. Eight kilometers out from the turnpoint Jonny and Kraig
Coomber were 200 meters below Gerolf and the pilots with him but found some
strong lift as Gerolf and crew passed it up and headed for the turnpoint.



As Jonny and Kraig rounded the turnpoint they found strong lift and got the jump
of Gerolf and associated pilots. This last leg into Avon Park (they were ready
for the pilots) was blue but there were spots of very good lift so that 30 - 40
pilots made it into goal.



Kraig Coomber was first into goal followed by Jonny who held back to get a
little more altitude as he figured it was a bit sketchy making it in. This means
that Kraig picked up the hundred bucks for winning the day.



The rigids wanted a triangle task, not worrying about the forecast for the
winds. They were all high, except Jacques Bott and trying (not always succeeding
apparently) to stay out of the cloud suck at 1:30, their designated start time.
Jacques claims he just can't get a good start this year.



They raced from forming puff to forming puff to the intersection of Rockridge
and highway 98 across the Green Swamp, then east in reasonably good conditions
back to the intersection of highway 27 and I4, just south of Wallaby Ranch.



Then it got difficult coming back into the wind with lots of blue sky and few
cu's. Larry Bunner and Jim Yocom chose to go back up 33 where they saw a few
clouds, and Jim went down near 474. Jacques Bott behind all these guys chose to
go up highway 27 as the clouds were now forming there as they dispersed up 33.
The convergence often happen on 27 as it is the top of the "Florida Ridge."



Despite his late start Jacques was the first pilot in followed by Larry Bunner
ten minutes later and then I think Campbell Bowen.



There is a link to the scores here:
http://flytec.com/Events/2007/Flytec_Championship/Index.htm