We arrived two days before the comp for some practice and to get used to the flying area. The next day we drove up to the Emberger Alm take-off which was very civilised with a café and toilets. More importantly, pre-take off hot chocolate was available to keep Laura, my retrieve driver, happy! Launching down a good ramp, turning left to the house thermal and climbing out in a steady 4-up, the views were spectacular. Some mountain tops still had snow, and across the valley was the clear water lake of Weisensee.
After two hours of local flying I headed for the landing field at the campsite, which was surrounded by electrical wires but otherwise OK. After landing and a beer some familiar faces appeared including the the French team, Oleg Bondarchuk (Hungary), David Seeb and Manfred Ruhmer (Austria) and many other good pilots. Manfred flew his Swift Light during the competition for some acro-entertainment. That evening David Shields (aka Shedsy) arrived, the only other British pilot entered. With 147 pilots it was a well attended comp.
Day 1.
After a good weather brief we were set a criss-cross 76.9km course from one end of the valley to the other. We both launched early to try and take the first start gate, as the top 30 ranked pilots had to take the middle time of the three gates set. Climbing up and staying high was easy today and we left the start cylinder on time and headed for the first turnpoint. This was reached easily enough but I had noticed a strong tailwind. Shedsy called to say he had seen pilots heading for the landing field, although we had heard nothing on the radio and no pilots signalled that the task was canned. Rounding the turnpoint, it was obvious that a strong valley wind had developed and we decided to land as no one appeared to be doing the course.
Day 2.
Another valley-crossing task was set, with the final turnpoint at the lake and back to the campsite goal field: 96.2km. The sky looked like a movie set as 100 plus pilots glided out towards the start cylinder. It was quite a sight but slightly scary, with no room to manoeuvre! Soon the field was spread out across the mountains. Climbs were moderate to good 4 - 8-up. Shedsy and I did well with a mixture of dolphin flying and calling strong thermals over the radio until the valley crossing. We both glided slowly to the last turnpoint before realising it was all downhill to the goal field, and had to pull on hard for the last 10km with good air all the way. My arms where killing me - I haven't glided as hard and fast as that for some time. We crossed the goal line with Shedsy six minutes in front of me and landed in a crowded goal field. About 100 pilots had made it in. Shedsy was 52nd and I was 69th. Not bad, but could do better!
Day 3.
This day was forecast to be weaker so a 78.3km task was set with a 9km entry start and three turnpoints. Again the usual zoo at the start cylinder with everyone turning back to the first turnpoint with an easy glide. Then the trick was to get as high as possible before crossing the valley or travelling back to take-off. Shedsy and I got high and went for a more direct route, which worked well until we left on the long glide towards the turnpoint. You had to glide down a valley towards the lake and it was a lottery as to which side to chose as the TP was out in the valley.
We took different routes. Shedsy arrived low and managed to squirrel his way back up the mountain. I was more cautious for once and took some time getting round the turnpoint, only to meet up with Shedsy there as he glided toward goal. I took the turnpoint and turned for home. Watching the local experts revealed the best route and we both made it in, flying over gliders scattered in the valley. Both Brits in goal and a happy Laura arrived with cold beers… perfect! We both moved up the board - me 59th and Shedsy 48th. Although there were only two of us we were beating other full teams - what a shame there weren't six of us. OK, the goal beer went to my head!
Day 4:
A big 103km task with three turnpoints and the goal field at Villach. We both decided on an early start gate and launched soon after the window opened. We raced down the ridge towards the first turnpoint, crossed the valley high and then turned towards the second. I should have slowed down and taken more height before going for the second turnpoint. Before I knew it I was playing with the fir trees with 25 plus pilots and eventually landed 44km into the task. What a bummer!
All was not lost as Shedsy got up after finding a small core, worked his way up to base, crossed to the next valley and made his way to goal down a spectacular ridge with a few difficult sections. Note to self: get high before racing off onto a crowded ridge with no one more than 200ft above the hill and scratching! Shedsy moved up to 38th, while muggins plummeted in the ranks. Tomorrow is another day.
Day 5:
A 188km task was set into the big mountains with four turnpoints before returning to the campsite goal field. We both launched early. Again the traffic to the entry cylinder was an awesome sight. Before Lenz we got separated but took the turnpoint before a large thunderstorm appeared on track towards the leg home. Time to land! Luckily everyone got down in one piece. The task was initially stopped and scored up to 3.30pm, but the next day a complaint was made by the Austrian team and the task was canned, even though this contradicted the rules set out before the competition.
Day 6:
The day was canned at the morning briefing due to forecast storms. We had a day of rest and shopping for Laura. The rain eventually appeared late in the evening as we were having supper with some of our fellow European pilots near the Weisensee.
Day 7:
After the night's rain the cloudbase didn't improve enough for us to fly, and the comp ended on a low note. I had enjoyed the flying and learnt more about racing and final glides. Thanks to Shedsy for his support and advice over the radio, and we both thank Laura for retrieving us with a smile!
Report by Will Greenwood
- 1 Oleg Bondarchuk Aeros Combat L Ukraine 2,762
- 2 Primoz Gricar Aeros Combat 13 Slovenia 2,726
- 3 Andreas Olsson Wills Wing T2 Sweden 2,723
- 4 Robert Reisinger Moyes Litespeed RS 4 Austria 2,703
- 5 Richi Meier Aeros Combat Switzerland 2,691
- 6 Gerolf Heinrichs Moyes Litespeed RS 4 Austria 2,675
- 36 David Shields Moyes Litespeed RS 4 GB 2,030
- 82 Will Greenwood Airborne C4 - 14 GB 1,353
