SAFA Skysailor Magazine

34 SKY SAILOR May | June 2024 2023 PWC Super Final, Baixo Guandu, Brazil Wednesday, 6 March 2024 – Task 1 Pilots arrived on launch to clouds below, but by the time the window opened, cloudbase had risen to ~1200m. The 67.6km task headed across the river for turnpoint (TP) 1, across the crater, and to the scenic Laranjeiras goal. When the start gate opened, pilots headed for the low hills on the way to Baixo Guandu. Shortly after they crossed the river, rain de- veloped on course, and the task was called off at 1pm. For those flying Baixo Guandu for the first time, it was a good warm-up. Thursday, 7 March 2024 – Task 2 The forecast showed a 60% chance of rain, and overdevelopment. Fortunately neither even- tuated. The 74.7km task had a start line 4.5km from take-off, past the thermal triggers around launch, so pilots explored the area for the best start positions. TP 1 was again across the river, some didn’t quite make it, having to dive back to top up before tagging it. Then it was across the river again to the west, a zig-zag over the rolling hills, with a long final goal leg to Penha Capim. On this final leg, things slowed down with lift hard to find. Some pilots opted to float in to the end-of-speed (ESS), others waited to climb higher before going on final glide – 116 pilots made goal. Top 3 Overall Top 3 Women 1. Honorin Hamard Meryl Delferriere 2. Julien Wirtz Johanna Hamne 3. Erico Oliveira Constance Mettetal Saturday, 9 March 2024 – Task 3 Friday was cancelled because of rain. Today’s forecast was good – light NE winds and lift