Task 2. Portugal

The task has been set. Here it is. 102km to a remote goal downwind!

We do not have a take off time yet, the meet Director is waiting on confirmation of the weather conditions. 

More later. 

Task3. Day 3. Portugal BRITISH OPEN

Yesterday's winner was portuguese pilot Nuno Virgiles followed by Ronnie Geisen them in third our British Team Pilot Adrian Thomas. Whilst they enjoyed a swim in the pool at goal, they were able to watch some 95pilots cruise into goal. This is believed to be both a British record and indeed a site competition record - to be confirmed by the Meet Director and Club Vertical. 

A task has even set for 97km to remote goal. 

Adrian Thomas has given an excellent pilot briefing again today, with in depth explanations of conditions, Valle convergence and race tactics to conquer both mountain and flatland flying for this task. 

We are currently waiting for the wind to switch on and anticipate that the window should be open in about an hour. 

More later....

Task 2. Portugal - British Nationals

Witness to a pilot incident today just before launching, I decided to offer my assistance and support, rather than fly.

An incident some moments after take off, watching with disbelief an Enzo glider perilously helicoptering and then flat spinning, all the way to the rocky ground some 40m below.

The harness, helmet and glider was that of Kirsty Cameron.

Struggling to get out of my harness, and leaving my glider on launch, I scrambled down the slope to where she was lying - the rescue people were already on site and noisily, but efficiently, evaluating the situation. Stabilising her was crucial whilst only being able to move parts of her body that could be move without pain.

Holding her hand, talking to her, reassuring her of every move the rescue people were doing, wiping her dirt-covered face, helping to free her squashed limbs from her harness, holding her head as the emergency services put on her neck brace and slid the stretcher under her body and then helping to carry her down the rugged terrain and scree slope to the mountain rescue ambulance where Mane, the Safety Director, was waiting. The A & E ambulance from Guarda hospital was already waiting on the tarmac road to transport her.
Collecting her flying equipment and glider from the rescue vehicle, I was given a ride to our house where I swapped it for some personal belongings and essentials to take with me to the hospital.  I did not know how long she would be in there.

Waiting in A & E for what seemed an eternity, where hours later,
where thorough examinations revealed she was an extremely lucky girl, with nothing broken and no damage aside from severe bruising.
The afternoon waiting at the hospital for the news, either good or bad, gave rise to questions about my own flying ability and the risk I encountered every time my feet left the ground.
The hospital finally gave me the OK for her release at 19h30 - it had been a long, worrying day.
We both drove home, emotionally battered

DAY 4. Task 1. Portugal, Serra da Estrella, Manteigas BRITISH OPEN

Monday 1 July

White Rabbits !

Up to take off at 10h00 and briefing onsite. Distribution of live trackers and a task set.

Conditions looked good with convergence setting up nicely. A 97km task was set with turnpoints above the valley before heading out into the plains and the remote goal.

Sadly but a wise decision, the task had to be stopped, before the overcast skies turned to rumbling thunder in the distance.

Although no one made it to goal, minimum distance (45km) was achieved so the task will score.

I had an pleasing start, spiralling 3x360°’s just before the start-gate opened to avoid unnecessary lift. Once the gate had opened, I was hence able to fly along the course line directly to clock the first turnpoint ahead, whilst the main gaggle lost time having to skirt round the cloud suck.

Conditions switched off at TP3, cirrus came in the clouds beyond that grew. We could see a wall of rain and my guess was that the lead gaggle at that point called a Level 3.  Those who hadn’t already landed by then soon did, swiftly as a wall of rain could be seen in the distance followed after the stopped task. Retrieves were swift and efficient with a main drop-off point at one of the village bars where we were able to sample cool beer from the bottle at a mere 0,70c !

The mood is positive and pilots and happy with the « call ».

Downloads are still in progress but this evening, we have a BBQ organised of grilled Sardines. J

DAY 3 Practice Day - Portugal, Serra da Estrella BRITISH OPEN

Sunday 30th June

Practice task day. With the last few registrations completed w

e headed up the hill to the smaller take off. Light North Easterlies forecast the day looked good. A few pilots got away in the first group in the stable air whilst the majority of the field waited on take off for the conditions to improve. I was in the second group.

Taking one climb in front of take off that took us to cloudbase, at the time 3600m, the task was completed in 1 ½ - 2hrs. A 67km with three turnpoints and no time restriction.

The conditions were strong, climbs averaging at 4-5m/s and clouds formed later in the afternoon, giving us the opportunity to sample cloud-suck at it’s best. Emile got hoofed up at 9m/s and barred to the edged before disappearing. I only managed 7m/s and that was enough. They say St Andrei s strong, but conditions there are a playground in comparison to what we experienced today.

Cruising into goal with a ridiculous altitude like the rest of the pilots, we ran for shade, packing up under the trees. Shuttle busses waited to return us to HQ. Beer, swimming, dinner and an early night. The organisation team is second to none. Friendly, efficient, organised. With all the pilots having arrived by the time night fell, tomorrow the race begins

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Day 2 - Portugal, Serra da Estrella, Manteigas BRITISH OPEN

Saturday 29th June

As the northerly was forecast strong, breakfast became a lazy affair. Meeting up with fellow team-mates Emile Van Wyk and Adrian Thomas, we drove to HQ and met with the organisation, then to the main take off to check out the conditions and what the site had to offer. We were not disappointed.

Taking in the far-reaching views of the national park’s plateau, rolling hills leading to the flatter plain, and also witnessing the largest dust -devil I had ever seen the size of a watchtower.

The afternoon was spent in the shade of the cherry trees on the lawn with intermittent swims in the river.

Registrations and uploads completed by 7pm, followed by dinner. The weather is hot, very hot. 33°C and rising as the week progresses.

Day 1 - Portugal - Serra da Estrella, Manteigas BRITISH OPEN

Friday 28th June

All packed and ready to go. Destination : Serra da Estrella National Park, Portugal.

My point of departure, Geneva, Switzerland airport.

Easyjet successfully shamed airport security by their efficient check-in, when we spent 40 minutes shuffling round the snake tape,  only to be held on the runway for half an hour whilst Easyjet tried to locate the flight’s Food and Drink wagon ! Holiday makers’ spirits were lifted, when finally the capitain announced that we were ready, and without further ado, we were skyborn. Due praise to Easyjet for making up the lost time, so with a generous tailwind, we arrived on schedule at 14h25 local time.  

Touchdown Oporto, Portugal. Slow baggage reclaim and even slower Budget carhire staff, my driver comrade and I finally left the airport at 6pm ; the time in which we had hoped to arrive at our destination ! However,  we were thankful ; no luggage had been lost and more importantly our flying gear was all in tact.

Our route took us out of the city on the main southern highway, then on to secondary roads that became ever smaller as we approached our destination. The highlight was watching the sun set whilst climbing from the searing 36°C valley villages to the 1420m high plateau in the National Park at 1420m, where we turned off the car’s aircon and wound down the windows to feel the 17°C altitude chill and inhale dizzy perfumes of wild thyme, gorse and lush grass. Memories of childhood landscapes flickered before my eyes and I smiled.

Arriving at Sameiro, we were warmly greeted by our hosting Club, were fed a hearty dinner accompanied by full-bodied ruby red wine from the local vinehard (and indeed one of the competition’s sponsors), before turning out the light way past midnight.

Life was not so bad : friends, sunshine and paragliding.