18 August 2012

Last day; post-briefing and tasks.

Quiet at the tiedowns this morning as the crews took the gliders out of their 'jammies and watered-up, ready for weighing.  Only Ed's cheerful "morning" to each crew...

Internet has been out at the Motel and may be up later today; we'll need it, to advise the team in the most efficient method around the thunderstorm.

Here is a distant iphone shot (so poor quality) of the inspection of the glider which was one in the mid-air yesterday being photo'd as part of the investigation.  No new info available.  Kudos to two members of the German 15m team who aborted their tasks to ensure the pilot who had bailed out was ok, passed coordinates, and stayed overhead for moral support.  Both occurrence pilots were at the briefing, and have been examined by the IGC/WGC doctor - all ok.

Trailers are loosing their wheels and being put into the sea containers for the long trip home... and the tiedown area is bustling a lot less than it was.  There is a feeling of finality; the post-competition party tickets were just handed out.  It would be a bad day to land out...


It will be a large finish gate today due to the Thunderstorm risk - 15km/3000'MSL.  This shortens tasks by 12 km from what the page says.


Weather page 1 of 3.
 Good luck with that one.  2k steps on left, time at bottom.  Iphone in dark theatre.
Dan and Walt got a standing ovation for their concise, thorough, and successful briefings in a very complex environment.  Anyone getting to hear got a thorough understanding of the weather, and unlike many met briefings, what occurred to change what was expected the day before was covered - small changes in temp and moisture make a huge difference here.

Grid's in 30 minutes.


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