SAFA Skysailor Magazine

10 SKY SAILOR September-October-November | SPRING 2025 High Stakes in the Spanish Sky tralian team briefings led by Guy Hubbard – part tactician, part motivator, and part mad cartographer – highlighted the plan, hazards and opportunities. The team dis- cussed and agreed on how to attack each day. Conditions often changed mid-task, so team and individual tactics had to quickly pivot and adapt, which appeared to be a strength of the Aussie team who ultimately fared well in both scores and safety. Briefly touching of the topic of safety, it was apparent that Cat 1 competitions can cause some pilots to push themselves and their equipment beyond the level of practi- cal safety. Overall there were at least four helicopter rescues after serious accidents, and over 20 other incidents in only six days of racing. These are unusual statistics that could not be attributed to the flying con- ditions and had the organisers concerned and confused as to the cause. Following is a short task summary for each day. Photos: Team AUS “No one cracked. No egos. No dramas. Just solid, hard-fought Aussie flying.” Team Leader Guy Hubbard