General

Yesterday we flew an interesting and very tactical 80 km task in Bassano. The day was forecast to be quite stable with some west wind, and it actually started like that, but conditions improved during the flight with good thermals, even if the cloudbase stayed relatively low. After the start, we moved quickly along the ridge before jumping into the flatland for two turnpoints, where conditions were trickier because it was still early and not fully on. Staying high was important, especially because we were flying into the wind. After, we had to choose between going straight on course line or returning to the mountain, to get some more hight before going again on the take off area. The pilots who choose to go to the mountain early were faster than the ones who tried to continue straight After this, the western turnpoint was again more technical, with weaker conditions. A small group managed to stay high and save time, while others had to stop and climb again before heading to last part. One more TP in the flat and then direction to ESS where all the leading group tagged it very low and had to climb again before heading to the goal line It was again a very interesting and tactical day overall. Tomorrow is the last day of the competition, with good conditions expected again, hopefully another nice task to finish the event!

The glider forecast gives "good" thermals for the western Alps, with a top at 2600 to 3000 m AMSL. The wind is dying down (see the pictures). Sunshine almost all day long, with cumulus clouds and a little bit of high-level coverage in the afternoon. Looks like a good day. Get your tickets and go up from 10:00 (if Olli is ready earlier, we will let you know), briefing on the terrace at 12:00.

Today we had an 81.8km Task flying first out over the flats for the start then making a short detour back to the mountain to get height for the next TP over the Grappa Landing. We used the mountain a few times on the way to gain enough height as the day was predicted quite stable. Coming back to take off after two thirds of the Task we literally raced the whole ridge to the far west TP. Conditions seemed to have improved to wards the end as even pilots coming very low could take ESS and save them selves to goal by taking the brink of the mountain again. Text Steve Cox Fotos Martin Scheel

The high winds are caused by a cold front that is passing Switzerland to the east during the night. They are expected to calm down around noon tomorrow - at least according to the models that were right the last few days. Trackers and tickets will be available at the Nordic Center from 10 to 11. Go up and prepare for a task briefing at 12:00, and the launch window opening as early as 12:45, like we had it yesterday. Next meteo update tomorrow around 8:00, and then see you all up on the terrace!

The conditions for this 77-km task were absolutely perfect. The air was calm but provided good lift everywhere, even in the flatlands. Unfortunately, it got a bit shaded towards the end, making it more difficult. Many didn’t take this into account enough and just missed the goal. The rankings haven’t been published yet (!), but according to the leaderboard, Tim came in third and Roger seventh. Steve landed just a few meters short of the finish line :-( Congratulations! Photos from all 3 tasks.

We were probably a little too conservative in our task setting, and a leg to Adelboden and the Niesen chain would have been easier today than yesterday. Pilots reported still very good climbs that were "more predictable" than yesterday, and the top altitude was a few hundred meters higher. But the task was what we set, and it was a short and exciting sprint race that brought almost everyone to goal. The winner today is Stephan Morgenthaler, followed by yesterday's winner Charles De Beaufort, and Markus Wicki. Best woman is Sarah Zimmerman, best Sports Class pilot Marco Sommerfeld, best junior Jean Morisetti. Tomorrow will be very sunny, but also very windy. It will probably be flyable, but we consider it as not taskable. Day 3 is therefore cancelled.