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Published: July 27th 2011
Briefing
... for task 2.Yesterday, we drove up the hill and were very excited. Conditions looked great, but we could also see that clouds were becoming fairly high and that it was raining in some places. So an early task was set, with launch opening at 12 p.m. and the start gates at 1:20 and 1:40. The task went south to Nocera Umbra, then back past Monte Cucco towards Gubbio, then again down the valley to the windmills south of Monte Cucco, and then to goal at the bottom of Monte Cucco.
All of us were closely observing the weather development, and close attention was paid to what the pilots in the air said. We were ready to stop the task in case flying would become unsafe, but we were hoping we would not have to so that we could get a valid task in. Again, we followed the live tracking, which is really exciting (however, with a 15 minute delay because pilots in the lead would be disadvantaged if people on the ground told other pilots in the air where they are), and then went to goal.
The showdown there was pretty spectacular. First, two gliders came in very fast. We soon
Francoise & Flip
... hoping the task would not have to be stopped. realised that they were Alex Ploner and Christian Ciech (both from Italy). They were very low and very fast. I feared that Christian would hit the vineyards south of the landing field because he was so low. But he passed the goal line between the two flags and stood on the ground probably five metres behind it. Wow! Alex was a bit higher up in the air, but for a while I also thought that he might not make it. But he did. So Alex is the day winner, just one second ahead of Christian. Primoz Gricar (Slovenia) came in third a couple of minutes behind Alex and Christian.
For a while, we did not see any other pilots. But then, a huge gaggle came in, it must have been around 80 pilots who came in almost at the same time. The sky was full of gliders, the spectators on the ground were yelling and clapping their hands because they were so excited. The atmosphere was just fantastic, and it was awesome to see all the smiling faces and to hear that the pilots were perfectly happy with the task and the day.
What a contrast to the
Dennis & Heather
... discussing the weather conditions. day before! It was cloudy and rainy in the morning, but as there was a slight chance for the weather to improve during the day, we went up the mountain – and ended up in fog and cold. After a while, the Colombians started dancing salsa, and it was like a big party up there. Madness slowly started getting grip of us...
The day was cancelled, and Nils and I went to Montepulciano, which is a two hour drive from here, past Perugia and the Lago Trasimeno. It is a very nice village, situated on a hill from where it offers a beautiful view into the valley around it and towards the Lago Trasimeno. The weather had improved, and we even had some sun, so we could listen to all the musicians in the streets and visit the shops. The village is full of art. When we got there, they were in the middle of a music festival. In the shops, they sell pottery, glass art, paintings, sculptures and many more pieces of art. And let’s not forget all the wineries and shops that sell typical products from the region like cheeses. We had a great Italian dinner in
Masuhiro & Regina
The Japanese and the German team leaders. a restaurant where the owner was apparently a former opera singer. He had a DVD with Luciano Pavarotti in it, and he sang along with him to all his guests. We got back to Sigillo at midnight, and I guess we made the very best of that rainy day.
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