Belgian Open - Day 3 - Flyable everywhere but the Soça valley

Tuesday 17th June

Brieeeeeeeeefing! Guess what, Guys? No task.  Obviously someone finds my lack of faith disturbing. Or was that Darth Vader who said that to TomTom...

Free-flying in Italy today, despite the Bora wind Meduno would be more sheltered, so I decide to join the posse.

Aaah, Meduno.  My last trip there had been in May 2013 for the Italian Open, which after day 1 had been cancelled due to the torrential rain and flooding that continued throughout the week. Having been nick-named "MUDuno" because of this, I was glad to see that the Italian Flying Federation have since poured money into building a new landing field HQ with all mod-con facilities, and tarmacked the road to take off.  However, the latter meant that we had to walk the last 1.5km. Easier said than done with 15km of lead! Fortunately a kind Belgian fellow pilot offered to carry my rucksack to the top and looking at him in a sagging heap, insisted he needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation! Eughhhh, NO! Tahhh! Instead as a fair trade, I said I would stop telling jokes about the Belgians (English equivalent is the Brits telling jokes about the Irish) as a fair trade….honest...

Gentle valley breeze coming up the face offered an easy launch. 50m above take-off we started to feel the Northerly, and by the time we had reached 1340m, the lift was broken and snotty. Climbing a further 200m before leaving the ridge to find calmer air in the flats, pushing south towards the bridge lift was in abundance.  Sucked up to 1700m in a steady climb albeit rough and choppy through sheer levels of valley and thermic conditions, I looked up to see some 30m above, wisps of cirrus above my head going in the opposite direction at a rate of knots!  Aaah.. time to come down.

Spiralling and chucking the drag chute, managed to lose 600m successfully, before finding a blue hole near the ruined fortress and dropping 6m/s in empty air almost to the ground.  Regardless of the lack of visual grace, I was glad to be on the ground.

Never flown the valley so fast, but with an Icepeak 7-Pro gobbling up the K's, one glide and you'd flown the triangle between take-off, South Bridge, and Terviso. Now I understand how the lead gaggles managed to fly so far, so fast and in one glide!

I can confirm that although flying in a Bora is possible, it is extremely unpleasant, and not an experience I will be repeating in a hurry. 

However, it was great to get airborne again after 5 days of doing everything else apart from what I can here to do.

Belgian Open - Day 2 - Pray to the Weather Gods

Monday 16th June

No task!

"Today Matthew, we will go rafting". 

An activity combining adventure, sport and team spirit, using a sturdy inflatable Zodiac and paddles to ride the white water rapids of the Soça river. As the weather is "damp", why not get damper!

Joining an group from the UK on an adventure tour of Slovenia, rendezvous at Evasion Action in Kobarid to meet our team leader, Kevin, a burly 20yr old Slov. mountain guide with thighs the size of my waist!

Kitted out with helmet, wetsuit, boots, lifejacket and windproof water jacket, we were briefed on what and what not to do: loop your feet under the foot straps in the boat, don't stick your arms out, and if you get tossed overboard, don't swim! A sound and informative briefing. I like it!

For all you "boffs" out there who aren't remotely interested in paragliding, a brief history of the Soca river: Running 138kms from North Eastern Italy and through the Western Slovenia Julien Alps, along some of the most beautiful and unspoilt surroundings of Eastern Europe. Born in the Trenta valley with an elevation of 2,874ft it spews on average some 172m3 of water per second before joining the Adriatic Sea near Monfalcone, Italy. It is a must-see for all mountain lovers and fishermen. Home to fresh trout to die for in abundance and water so pure you can cup your hands to drink along the banks at any point, it is topped up all year round by snow melt, fresh water springs and abundant rainfall. Pantone shades of opal green and turquoise ricochet off the limestone in all weather conditions creating a jewelled snake meandering through the valley, whose beauty can be seen from either riverbank , suspension bridge or from our paragliders. A true eye catcher for any nature lover or photographer.

So, back to our rafting adventure. After our briefing, we carried our boat to the water. Jumping in before the freezing water could soak its way through the wetsuit, we took to the rapids.

The first part of the course was a gentle introduction of what was to come. Serenely floating downstream on a tame current, sampling some mild rapids and boulder dodging, before the river narrowed, steepened and picked up speed.

Stopping halfway to take in the scenery and lob ourself recklessly off some boulders (I didn't, being the sensible type), I silently chuckled as I watched their brain-freezed faces reappearing from the icy water. Glutton for punishment if you as me. "Hmaaah hmaah…they must be british!"

From this point on, our decent was fast and furious. No rest for the wicked. The water slapped and curled up the side of the zodiac, tossing us one way and another. Our feet wedged under the ropes on the floor of the boat ensuring that we stayed in, rather out we paddled to keep as straight a heading as possible. Only just hearing Slov Kev's hoarse voice above the roar of the rapids, "Forward…. Backward….STOP….!" 

We continued to rumble through rapids and bounce off boulders for a further 3 miles before slowing into a shallow beach just under the Kobarid suspension bridge.  It was exhilarating to say the least. 

Hauling the boat onto the shore, we all looked further down the river which continued its snaking path, before disappearing round the corner towards Devil’s Drop.

“We don’t paddle down there”, said Kevin with a knowing smile. “Some professionals come here, but most of them will only go one time ….”  Thank you, for that, Kevin, and a special thanks to nature, for conveniently designing the inlet before we all descended into hell!

Rafting: not for the faint hearted due to the freezing cold water. 

Recommendations: Gentlemen, I'd leave the Speedo's at home!

Belgian Open - Day 1 - Sadly no task!

Sunday 15th June

Briefing at 09h00. No need to explain about the weather, but for those who have not been following, the Bora (North wind) has set in, together with thunder clouds and rain.

No surprise then, when Meet Director, Brett Janaway announced that the task today is cancelled due to to the damp weather and high winds. The direct translation of "damp" means rain, more rain and very very wet i.e. for those of you who are camping, now is the time to trade your tents for gondolas.  In Belgian, this means that the weather is looking so bad, there is little point in turning up tomorrow. Next briefing will be on Tuesday!

So, a trip to Venice, only two hours away was the obvious option and did not disappoint.   This beautiful romantic city, blessed with hazy sunshine, empty streets and a lazy Sunday atmosphere.

 

At the end of the day, I drove North to Gemona, to meet with South African friends John and Chris for their last night in Europe before returning home.  A delicious dinner of succulent steak and a great bottle of Red in exchange for the fabulous Brae's they have spoilt us with this past week.  Thank you Boys.

Later, with the car on auto pilot, Tom Tom and Tiguan meandered their way through the Julien Alps and mountain roads all the way back to Kobarid.

One last request before turning in for the night, if there is a God out there, any one will do, please let it stop raining in Kobarid. My washing needs to dry!

Belgian Open, Kobarid, Slovenia (Reg. Day)

Saturday 14 June

On the move again. Goodbye Camp Gabje, Tolmin, Hello Camp Koren, Kobarid.

The laden skies promised over development, thunderstorms and rain.  Time to pack up Betty before midday.

Lo and behold, at 13h34, the heaven’s opened, luckily just after arriving at Kobarid.

With the River Soça roaring some 40 metres below and finding shelter under the trees, Buxom Betty was wound up onto her chocks once again.

I must explain that the shade from the trees is a two-fold strategic move: to shelter us from the scorching temperatures we know that Slovenia can delivery (ref. this past week), but also to spare poor Betty from the perpetual dousing of downpours will are currently experiencing, and will be for the most part of this coming week.  I hate to be pessimistic, but unless Mark Luscombe can come up with anything to the contrary, we won't be tasking for a while…

The forecast is dire for the next few days and for those of you camping, I’d sell your tent and buy a canoe whilst you still have one to trade!

Luckily for me, I’ve had a terrific past three weeks of back-to-back comp flying: the PWC France, followed by the British Open, then the Polish Open, and now here for the Belgian Open, and so welcome a few days’ respite from the routine : Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep….. Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep….. Shower, Breakfast, Briefing, Shuttle, Task, Download, Shower, Supper, Results, Charge-Up, Sleep…...Zzzzzzz…..

Downloads between 5-8pm this evening went smoothly, no glitches and no queue. Brilliant! Red t-shirt, maps and pot of Slovenian honey as a welcome pack, and the MD seems optimistic for the week, which is great (don't know where he gets his weather forecast from - I'd like to see it!).  We will be using turnpoints in the Lijak, Tolmin and Kobarid flying areas.

It was lovely to see all the Belgian and foreign pilots in abundance and always a happy occasion to celebrating something.

Breifing will be at 09h00 tomorrow morning.  In the meantime,

manned with my brollie,

I take to the trolly of Slovenian food market fare.

A BBQ hearty to kick off the party, and Jacky brae-master’ll be there!

J

Bon appetit!

PWC Mexico, Valle - 6th Feb 2014 "NO FLY"

The alarm goes at 06h30 but I'm already awake.
My limbs feel heavy or is it the two quilted duvet covers I have on the bed to keep warm?!

I get up and almost fall over - my legs are so stiff from pushing the bar yesterday. In fact, my whole body feels exhausted!

Leaving for headquarters I collect my flight deck which feels double its usual weight and the idea of lifting my pack is a thought of horror!

My decision is I am not physically fit to fly and need a rest today.  After two previous competitions and flying almost every day for the past 4 weeks, I am tired.

A fantastic 1hr30 massage has spared me of my task today of riding the Big Bus to launch, prepping my glider and instruments pre-take off, collecting my packed lunch, weighing my ballast and kit, attending the task briefing, inputting GPS tasks, kitting up, preparing to launch carrying 33kg of equipment, lobbing off the mountain with 140 other pilots into the air, to race around the skies at hairy speeds and high altitudes, dangling on strings under a piece of cloth ….. Of real-time turbulence, ear-popping altitudes and banging on air swirling thermals, I have granted myself the privilege of looking up at the sky today instead of being in it, of becoming acquainted with surroundings which we would never have had the time to visit, and the read of a good book in the shade of the main square.

Main Square Valle de Bravo

This evening, I feel rested and ready for tomorrow…

PWC Mexico, Valle - 5th Feb 2014 - " HOKEY COKEY!"

thermaling above the startgate

Above the startgate

Today's task an 89km race to goal.
Really interesting task today in that it resembled more of a cross-countryflight rather than a race, with a remote goal in the Elefante valley.

With the start gate some 6km away, pilots were eager to get airborne as soon as time permitted.  Cautiously pilots waited in the same house thermals (Crazy and the Wall) until the clock started at 12h40pm.  With conditions weaker than usual, base was at 3200m, and no one was particularly eager to lead out.

One large gaggle formed which split into two groups as the start and the first cylinders were the same turn point.

2nd, 3rd and 4th turn points were all the same waypoint, with a first entry a 400m cylinder, then you had to fly out of the same cylinder and fly in again to take the same waypoint this time with an 8km radius, and then further in again to take the TP at 400m cylinder. In/out/in/out shake it all about!!!

This did baffle a few pilots (myself included) when programming the GPS.  My understanding of how to do this was not questioned as I presumed that the GPS would understand what I was asking it to do, however I was fooled, and although a Pilot is extremely clover, you do have to give it the right instructions for it to understand what it is meant to do.  And indeed, this did not occur, so disappointingly, my recorded flight ended at some 39km! I do stress that fortunately I was not the only foolish pilot today!

However, I had a great flight, and after getting stuck at the Three Kings for a lonely while after a small group landed on the way back from the start, I took a rough and bitty climb low over the trees and the plateau, and made a dash to connect with a small conical hill. With a 65km tailwind I headed full speed low over the plateau and the trees towards a distant conical hill.
A risky manoeuvre which had my feet out of the pod and my right hand out of the handle and free to chuck my reserve to dampen my tree landing had I not found any lift.  On a head-on course with the hill, all I could do was wait for the singular bleeps of my vario to confirm that there would be something.  I connected and without even a squeak from the vario, I last minute violently pulled break to turn into the first of several beats before being able to catch any bubble consistent enough to "S" bend my way to the summit.  Close call.

To concentrate, I pictured in my mind "S" bending above the trees at the base of the Dents de Lanfon in weak lift and cranking the glider round to lean in with outer break to maximise anything I could get.

Patience and perseverance worked, and my glider and I worked the hill until we found the core.

It was hard to work out which direction the wind was coming from which meant that there had to be convergence somewhere to cross the valley towards Elefante.

A few broken clouds made it easier to gauge what was happening and leaving just before cloud base, made the wide crossing as the valley floor appeared to rise to meet us the further and higher we flew. Here I joined up with the gliders in front of me and flew for a while accompanied which made climbing easier.

Conditions started to deteriorate at around 15h30 and I looked at the clock. The sun was losing its heat and the sky was hazy as the sun set lower and the wind increased on the rising terrain.  We were flying at over 3000m, but in some places almost only kicking trees to remain airborne.

I set off alone in search of the elusive and invisible last cylinder  before either  the conditions shut off completely or the task landing time arrived, and claimed by 72km before being "the last to land" on the course line. (Thank you Tom Payne).

Valle de Bravo and HQ at sundown

5km short of TPG04, I landed in a very swish private estate just outside Valle, neatly ploughed fields, horses and a cobbled driveway leading to wrought iron gates and the main road.

Hoiking my 30kg pack over the fence, I caught a retrieve bus passing on the main road back to HQ.  All very easy.

The track log on my GPS confirmed my failure to input the right commands regarding the cylinders of TP49, so I sadly scored almost nothing for the day, however, I did came away with a great sense of achievement at having flown the majority of the task, in some pretty windy, rough and turbulent conditions, and even having enjoyed the challenge.

So, my conclusion of the day: a rotten score and physically spent,  but an exciting and enjoyable flight nonetheless.

PWC Mexico, Valle 4th Feb 2014 - THE BIG BLUE HOLE

Ha!
Well….just when you think that you've used your "discard", you  have a blue hole day.

That big blue hole between the start gate and the first turn point…. Yessss, THAT one!

"Dirt" buddy -  Gavin MClurg

Least but NOT last, flying 5.2km and landing in the Turkey Farm with some of the best. Good to land with friends and laugh about it! What a positive mental state I've at last found in this sport.


Onwards and upwards, today is another day :-)