Archive for July, 2010

 

Flying with Storks.

July 21st, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

The conditions today were quite distinct form the last few epic days. A mashed potato sky with a mixture altocu, wave and convective Cus with a base of around 2400m. As the day looked as though it would deteriorate we went for an early start. Light conditions, though very nice. I had some fun chasing […]

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90km PB for Rob on his DHV 1

July 20th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

Yet another great day with various PBs. Nick, finally got over the pass after a number of years trying. Colin equalled his PB from last week with a landing in the same field some 10km back from Avila. Håkon, improved on yesterdays PB (Avila and back to Amavida), with a straight line flight of 83km, […]

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4000m. Epic stuff. A good return back from Avila.

July 19th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

A fantastic forecast realised. A good part of our group…Mike Paul, Håkon, and Rob reached Avila, with the former three getting a good way back towards the pass. I flew the tandem with Tom, and getting overexcited by the epic Cus forming after Amavida,  ignored a climb and from 3700 at the pass landed near […]

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Classic convergence day

July 18th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

An amazing skyscape with the convergence Cus running to the horizon. Tricky at launch due to early backwinds and dust devils. I did a tandem flight and was soon climbing to near 3000m is abundant lift. I found it difficult to land near Piedrahita so crossed the valley to find sink, which only happened after […]

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Classic conditions for last race of Pre Worlds

July 17th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

Seven consecutive flying days, and now on the last days the conditions have really switched on with light breezes and powerfull thermals and a base rising to near 4000m. With these conditions many of the large classic circuit flights can be made, but as we are on the last day and with the added pressure […]

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126km Race to Goal Circuit. Improving conditions

July 16th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

Today we set a circuit to Avila then back to near the Menga Pass then to Amavida Goal. There were approx 30km of positioning along the mountain before the start gate opened at 3pm, with then 90km of a very fast and demanding race. The leaders reached the Avila TP around 4.20pm, followed by the […]

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Another fast race to Avila with 70+ in goal

July 15th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

A lighter WSW wind but with an inversion at 2600m. To not make the same mistake as yesterday we decided on a simple race to Goal with some pre Start Point manouvering along the ridge (corral, then to Santiago de Collado for the start). Smooth climbs and a fast run for the winner with around […]

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Task cancelled on course

July 14th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

The forecast today was for winds around 20-25km W winds, moving round to the North. A dog leg towards Sotalvo castle and then back into the cross-headwind to Muñogalindo made the task impossible when the wind in the Ambles Valley picked up to over 30km/hr. With the imposibility of pilots making the turnpoint and the […]

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Fast race to Avila. Loads in Goal

July 13th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

Today the forecast gave us once again WSW wind at around 15km but with increased stability and the threat of a early end to the convective day…and likewise a late start. A short goal of 55km to Avila was set as the with a start point out infront of the Big Spine. Things were low […]

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155km goal flight.

July 12th, 2010 - Posted by Steve Ham

Today we set the classic goal flight to Arcones, but passing through a control turnpoint to keep pilots out of the airspace. SW winds with a blue thermals to around 3200m. Many pilots got downed at the pass as conditions were once again slow to pick up. First into goal was spaniard Cecilio Valenzuela. A […]

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