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Flatter than the Flatlands 1999
The Birchip Hang Gliding Competition. For me it's a chance to put on a four
day party for my hang gliding friends. To get out into the Mallee autumn
which is full of reds and golds with mild days, mellow thermals and sunny
skies. A last get together before the coming winter.
Day 1
Easter Friday dawned blue and clear with a low inversion. Few people climbed
through 3500' on their way to the tiny town of Tempy 74km to the northwest.
It was a day of endless circles in light lift but with little sink in between.
Ray was fastest at 2:14. Twelve others shared the goal beers.
1. Ray Cassar 2. Alan Beavis 3. Greg Holt
4. Brent Telford
Day 2
Ray looked sensational next morning in the winner's Superman t-shirt and
cape. We drove out to the paddock under blue skies once again but as the
day progressed cu's began forming everywhere, eventually reaching a base
of 6300'. Hopevale intersection was chosen 69km to the west. Hugh discovered
as he set up his glider that he had left his glider's glass tip somewhere
out near Sea Lake the day before. The drive to get it must have been a great
motivator as he got back, flew to goal, and won the day! Twenty-nine others
(out of 50) celebrated at Hopevale though Glen O'Grady was not one of them.
He became a little disorientated and landed 35km south of goal! Still it
was a great fly.
1. Hugh Satchel 2. Brent Telford 3. Alan Beavis 4. Wes
Hill
Day 3
The instability of the day before deepened as a trough moved in from the
northeast threatening to spoil the show. By the time we got out to the paddock
the sky was overcast overhead and black out to the northeast. Still, conditions
were perfect for towing so a task was set to an intersection short of
Warracknabeal 60km away. Luckily the rain came in exceedingly slowly allowing
us to get a couple of hours of towing in before it hit. Only four pilots
got out of the paddock in weak lift. Rohan flew an amazing 25km on an Airborne
Fun never getting above 1500'. Although low validity, we did manage to get
a round in. It also meant that everyone was back for the video night nice
and early. This year on the big screen!
1. Rohan Holtkamp 2. Peter Greenhill 3. Warwick Duncan
4. Ben Kennedy
Day 4
Monday was a day of two parts. Initially the weather was still influenced
by the trough with towering cumulus threatening to turn into thunderstorms.
After much deliberation I opened the window for the task to Lake Boga as
the trough moved away to the east. A new airmass now pushed through under
the influence of a front to the south which brought with it nicely shaped
cu's and a stiff SSW breeze. Unfortunately this made towing quite difficult
for a while though only half a dozen pilots were left in the paddock. Once
in the air quite rapid progress was made providing you could stay up. Luckily
altitudes of over 6000' were reached by some pilots allowing a long glide
through the shadowed areas to goal at a distance of 68km. Six pilots made
it in.
1. Brent Telford 2. Mark Pike 3. Paul Kelly 4. Warwick
Duncan
What can I say? Another great easter with some superb flying. Lots of personal
bests and heaps of people into goal for the first time ever. It was interesting
seeing Rohan flying a skyfloater this year. Although still very competitive
at least it was possible to keep up with him and learn a little. Maybe we
should run handicap competitions with all the top pilots on skyfloaters!
Brent Telford continues his great form at this competition. After winning
in 97, second in 98, Brent is again triumphant with he and Paul Kelly coming
in one and two for South Australia. Unfortunately it was not enough to take
the Victoria/South Australia Challenge in what was a nailbiter. Congratulations
also to Beavo for finally delivering the goods at this competition.
Thanks to our sponsors: Danny Scott, Peter Greenhill and Oakley, Dynamic
Flight, Airborne and Moyes. Thanks also to the Birchip Lions club, CFA, Nicky
Shalders, Ian Mc Clelland, Mick Hogan, all the pilots, drivers and the easter
bunny for making this a very special event.
Until next year
Warwick Duncan (meat head)
Overall Results:
Victoria/South Australia Challenge
Victoria 8204
South Australia 8026
Individual Results
1. Brent Telford 2536
2. Paul Kelly 2352
3. Alan Beavis 2162
4. Andrew McKinnon 2036
5. Ray Cassar 1957
6. Warwick Duncan 1922
7. Greg Holt 1883
8. Mark Pike 1854
9. Peter Greenhill 1853
10. Hugh Satchel 1849
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