SAFA Skysailor Magazine

9 SPRING 2025 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR final glide, to land at a safe goal in the flats to the south of Àger. The storms pushed a vertical wall of dust at us, with the shape of the gust front clearly profiled in brown dirty air against blue sky, with convergence cloud flowing up along the dry side of the conver- gence line. Then the gust front hit us on the ground, with wheat straw and dirt thrown at us by blustering wind and lots of smoke from a wildfire near the coast. We drove back to Àger through a hailstorm. The following days had heatwave conditions that drove extreme flying in spectacular terrain, flown safely without the pressure of competition.” Closer to the start of the competition, conditions tempered and some of the Aussie pilots (Jonny, Pete, Steve and Craig) flew over the back into the valley on a typical 80km task with final glide to the most common goal by the lake. Good climbs with base at 2400m (8000ft) made for a fun task. And they’re racing… The joy of free flying ended abruptly with the arrival of Day 1 of the competition. Most of the Australian team had prepared well by flying the pre worlds, studying the area, and having a serious amount of practice in the lead up. Every day, Aus- Photos: Team AUS