SAFA Skysailor Magazine

17 SPRING 2025 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR Looking towards the German border to the Chiemsee dam Left: Roger leads the way to Patscherkofel (2246m) at the head of the Brenner valley Photos: CC White the first briefing. With the use of multi- media, Roger familiarised pilots with the valley, where we would fly each day, and the different weather models that would guide choice of launch locations. With years of combined experience of flying competitions and free flying in the Alps, Roger and Rohan’s knowledge of different launches, local wind directions, and Föhn predictions, resulted in Tour 1 launching from five sites, two in Stubai valley, two in northern Austria and one in the Dolomites. I flew 269km, having launched 11 times and with just under 18 hours of airtime over nine days! Visiting other locations was fantastic from a tourist’s perspective, but also introduced us to different challenges. At each site, R&R planned a task to take in the local weather conditions and make the most of scenic terrain. Available via QR code for instrument upload, this helped keep pilots together, working thermals down the course line, and assist- ed with retrieves later in the day.