Wednesday, March 26th, 2003

Thanks to a very precise weather report, a second task is successfull. The weather man is announcing a decreasing west wind and he is right !

After a late start, the pilots gather on the west take off. A first goal in the flatlands to the south is first planned, but the observers of the organization warn us that the wind is still strong there. Hangai, the meet director proposes to stay in the mountains to save the day. A 50 km race to goal is set with turnpoints in the north, then in the south, then in the north again, with a goal to the east, near the townhall of Ibaraki.

Just after the first turnpoint some pilots find a magic thermal bringing them to 2300 m ! While some others are struggling not to land, they run from the second thermal to the third. There, another good lift is to be found on the back of the ridge. 1300 m altitude is enough to have a glide ratio of 6 and go safely to goal.

The fist in goal is Simon Morgenthaler (CH) with a 1h 28mn flight, followed by Martin Orlik (CZ) and Martin Bacsak (A). It seems like other pilots are making tourism or maybe they have been drinking too much during the Aerotact party ! 66 pilots are in goal. Caroline Brille (2h 08 mn) and Elizabeth Rauchenberger, one minute later, are the first women in goal. Noriko Mizunuma is third.

Simon Morgenthaler of Parapente Mag team is the winner but no other pilot of the team is in goal ! Aerotact racing is winning for the second time thanks to Shoichiro Tadano and Scotty Marion.

Back at the headquarters the pilots are enjoying the very hot free coffee, the japanese cakes and the noodles for the most hungry ! Tonight, there is an Advance party at the Tsukubane hotel, close to the second turnpoint of the day !

 

Wednesday team result :

	Gin - Aerotact Racing
Bigstar 2	1
2		Ventus Team
		3
Team members

Wednesday pictures :

Crowdy launch area !

Pedro Moreira (POR) member of the Ventus team