Task 5: (http://ozreport.com/11.094)

In spite of going out on our own Scott and I do well at the start circle getting high first. But the others will climb up to us as the lift is capped at 4,200' AGL. The main problem for me on this day, is skill based, i.e. not working weak lift as well as I should.

When I find Jeff and Konrad working poor lift just past the prisons, I don't stick with Jeff but head out to a dust devil when it is clear from what has just been happening in this field that the dust devils aren't working. I should have just stayed with Jeff in the broken lift.

Again I wasn't comfortable with the broken lift and went for a something that looked good when I knew it really wasn't a good idea to go for it. An emotional response.

Task 6: (http://ozreport.com/11.094)

We get up reasonably well at launch. There is a wind out of the southwest. Scott says let's go forward. Now there was no reason to leave the others behind and take the risk, but I went with him. I didn't find any lift.

I "knew" at the time that I should stay back and stay with Jeff and others. Hubris.

Task 7: (http://ozreport.com/11.094)

Jonny, Chris, Dustin, Jeff and I are reasonably high a ways from the edge of the start circle. Seven minutes before the start window opens Dustin, then Chris and Jeff leave to get closer to the edge of the cylinder. I hold back as I know it is too early and we are still hanging there. Jonny is also hanging back, which makes sense to me.

Still I'm drawn by the three pilots out in front of me and after a minute can't take it any longer and head out. Dustin does find some good lift just beyond the edge of the start circle, thankfully, and the rest of us join him, but now I'm only over Chris. Jonny after hanging back comes in high near the top.

This position is weak as I have to go back half a kilometer and get the start time. This puts Chris and I lower than the other three. Jeff, Jonny and Chris will get to goal earlier than I because of my relatively poor start.

I was very aware of my mental processes during this meet and how my emotional states undermined my better thinking. Strategic thinking was just not as strong as the strong emotional voice yelling at me to do whatever it wanted done.

My brain on hang gliding.

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