Hi all
More realistic IMO than 200+ kmh ridge burning - but I agree maybe a little too realistic last night.
2.5 kt thermals with high performance gliders and a mediocre wind wouldn't normally be an issue but more terrain clearance would have been nice!
Tension was compounded further for me knowing that .ftr had to be submitted by 0030 UTC and that the final glide was tight on both altitude and time.
In the end submitted immediately after completion with 4 minutes to spare
Congrats to those that stuck it out - very satisfying if not more than a little frustrating.
Well done to Janos; those 18 secs and 2.45 penalty points cost me a second very surprising top ten place.
Thanks to the organisers their efforts are greatly appreciated, but I'd already decided that their classifications are actually:
Easy = Moderate
Moderate = Difficult or worse and
Difficult = very nearly impossible.
Keep up the good work.
Steve