SAFA Skysailor Magazine

7 July | August 2023 SKY SAILOR racing day with strong climbs of 4m/s all day long, even if you got low. However, there were strong thermals, but also strong sink, so choosing the right line was very important. As the pilots neared the second to last TP, the lead gaggle realised one pilot was about 500m above everyone else. For those following from the ground the race was breathtaking. Andy Tallia was way ahead on the tracking, but not on the leaderboard. He had missed the second to last TP by 4m, but came into goal with a 48 second lead. He deserved to win the day and fortunately a back-up instrument showed him having taken the missed TP! Although Xavier Laporte took off with twisted lines and had to top land and relaunch, he came a very impressive third. Francisco Javie Reina Lagos ended up in a tree at the start, however, glider repaired, launched 15 minutes before the start gate opened and managed to get in the top half of 102 pilots in goal. Task 2 With a pessimistic forecast, a 85km triangle task was set north of take-off. The day started with 100% cloud cover and a forecast of strong NW wind. Pilots went as far as possible round the start cylinder to minimise the into wind component to the first TP. It was a tricky start and pilots had to take any climb they could. As pilots arrived at TP 2, the cloud almost totally disappeared and conditions in the afternoon became much better than forecast. Thermals improved and everyone could find something to climb in. Birds of prey came out to join the pilots. The wind picked up once more as pilots approached goal. At this point, there were no thermals between 20-10km from goal which put a large percentage of pilots on the ground. Well done to the 62 pilots who made goal! Task 3 With forecasts of high winds, today looked unlikely to happen. However, the wind didn’t pick up until all pilots had taken off and although it remained strong a short downwind task of 51km with one TP was set. There were two distinct gaggles before the TP, then pilots came together and the race to goal was on. Marco Littame had clocked up enough lead-out points before the TP by bravely pushing out on his own, super risky and difficult, and despite crossing End of Speed in 15th place, he truly earnt his task win. Photo: PWC Social Media