SAFA Skysailor Magazine

11 AUTUMN 2026 | March-April-May SKY SAILOR Task 3 on 7 January, and a huge smoke plume was rising out past Cudgewa and spreading throughout the Corryong valley. DRC told us this might be our last flyable day as winds were forecast to increase each remaining day. The task committee sent the open field on an 80.5km zig-zag task out to Tooma, back to the front of launch, then to goal at Khancoban. It was a tough task, and only Rory Duncan made goal, with an even spread of pilots down along the course. The floater division had the same task as on the previous day, but the radii of the two turnpoints were tightened to increase the distance to 22.5km. This caught out several pilots who flew the course and landed in goal only to find that a turnpoint had been missed. Only four pilots achieved the task, with Nicole Forrester claiming her first competition goal. Day 5 was cancelled. There was an eerie quality to the morning light due to wide- spread smoke in the air. A statewide Total Fire Ban meant no competition task could be run. Photos: Darcy Kirkaldy