Sun Peaks Team Meet

We have 17 pilots entered in the meet. The pilot meeting was at 9am at Ian's. Ralph had the turn points down loaded for me so I could sleep in (I had a long day yesterday) We were able to drive up to the chair lift to unload our gliders. Not many of us had done this before so we all stood around for a bit woundering what to do. We loaded two gliders on the chair lift and two pilot's road up with there gliders. It was very cool riding up the chair lifts with your glider. Very relaxing, fun ride up the mountain.

Once at the top we wandered around and checked out the launch area's. Once we were all set up we sat around as conditions wern't looking great. Scott wanted a 50km out and return but Brett felt the wind would be too much for what we thought would be weak lift. We deceided on a 54km down wind task to Dunn lake. Ralph got things started by launching first at about 2:15 after we pushed the launch window back. Christine and Dave Wagner joined him while the rest of the feild watched them scratch around for a bit. Once they started to climb the rest of the feild followed. We were able to climb up to 9000' over launch. I was a little over 8000' when I headed out on course. There was plenty of lift around, some strong some week but plenty to stay in the air. I had a hard time getting through 5000' and when I did was not able to get back over 6000'. At 40km out I was down to 3000' and found some 0 just waiting for something to come through to gain enough height to make goal. When another pilot joined me I lost my focus and we both landed.

Eight of sixteen pilots made goal: Ralph Herten, Scott Gravelle, John Orders, Jeff Rempel, Tyler Bordelle, Bernard Winkleman, Barry Bateman, and Mark Dowsett. Bob and I were 10km short and the rest of the feild spread out behind us. It was a great day considering our low expectations. It was a lot of fun flying and hanging out with every one. In retrospect I think we could have done an out and return. I hope the rest of the meet is as good as today was.