flying from Sederon

On launch before they opened the window for free flying

Today cloudbase was very low and the winds northerly, so we were taken to Sederon, a north facing take off launch that can accommodate up to 100 gliders, about 40 minutes from Laragne.

We arrived at cloudbase, and it didn't look as if the clouds would lift enough to set a task. It also got progressively windier, and a 29km task was set. A big cloud was dumping to the east of us (in the direction of our task) so the task committee cancelled the day and let us free fly.

Martina and I on launch - it was freezing!

I had a lovely flight up the valley, with strong climbs to cloudbase (my max was 4.6m/s) and spent my time finding thermals and coring them as fast and efficiently as possible. I flew to the end of the valley (perhaps 10km?) and then tried going back into wind towards launch, eventually landing after fifty minutes in relatively strong winds on the edge of a lavender field. As I landed i turned to run towards my wing, tripped and fell on my face, and got dragged a few meters through the lavender bushes...it smelled great :)

I later heard that wind on launch had gotten too strong for all the pilots to get off, but some of the more seasoned comp pilots did fly the task and made it to goal. Word is it was pretty gnarly and very strong on the ground.  Right now it is blowing hard outside, but we are as always optimistic about tomorrow!