The South Island Regional Champs are away and we have some scores for the first day. The scores are at this website, not the normal SoaringSpot:
http://glidingcomps.42.net.nz/sireg2014/index.php
I had a lovely 2 day drive down to arrive a day or two before Jerry Oneill's mountain flying course. The first day I flew here was magnificent, with a big convergence heading south, and good thermal flying. For the week of Jerry's course we didn't really get any classic thermal days, primarily wave with wind and showers going through.
From the North Island this year we have Hadleigh Bognuda from Auckland, Mark Tingy & Adrian Cable from Tauranga in their club's Duo, myself in our club's Discus B, a whole bunch from Taranaki including Tim Hardwick-Smith, Glyn Jackson and Will, and of course the usual regulars from Wellington and other clubs.
Looks like a great day today. You can see where we are while we're flying on SPOT, which everyone in the contest has. Be sure to switch it to Omarama top left if it's not already:
I'd like to say a number of big thanks:
- Piako Gliding Club, for letting me bring the glider down. XP is a very well setup glider, with a great trailer, and has been problem free the whole trip.
- Neil for helping us out get the glider and trailer ready to go.
- Bob Gray for the use of the oxygen system, it's working a treat.
- My work for letting me work remotely while I'm away.
