Bassano first task 138 km

The first task was set to 138 km following the main ridge to the west and then to the east coming back to the flats for the last turn point before landing at Borso Del Grappa.
The day was with out clouds but we knew that the task will be set to a bit bigger pace as it was previous races since I am here from 2008.

I started with the first to avoid the first crowded air and get the proper height before start the flight to the start cilinder. Nice lift, quite rough from time to time as you can imagine it with at least 200 pilots in the air at the same time. Especially tourist who don`t know which side we turn this day so you need to push all jelly fishes to get the proper thermals.

We started quite late at 14:10, flying to the west was with out any specialities, it got all much slower when we got the eastern ridge where the shade was already on the south side of the hills. First two groups did pass it back to the flats with the height, I got my self low and the day was not strong enough anymore to gain the height for the last turn point. Seems like Elio won the race ahead of Primoz, for the 3rd one I don`t know. More about statistics tomorrow when we get to know the results.

We had a dinner today at pizza place where our camp is. I was so late back in the camp after retriving Alan so there was only a bit of pasta left for the late pilots.



All in all quite a though day with missed timing for the task. Tomorrow we go on.

Deja vu (Bassano 2008 - 2011)

I felt like it happened again, well I also saw it happening. First 40 km from my house where equipped with strange noise from rear wheel. I am so familiar with this noises and feelings that I knew right away that there are problems ahead of me :)
Well, Ford service on the way in Slovenia solved the problem, so I hope this year we will come over this days without car problems like in 2008 where we got stuck in Thiene in subzero temperatures, tired after howling day where we where up to 3000m.

Taken with Nokia N8

Seems like we should have a really good weather in next days. People where telling about getting to 2700 m in the flats later in the day. It is nice to see all the faces again after winter. And it is nice to be in Bassano at 25 °c and not in subzero like in 2008 where I woke up to a falling snow.

It looks much nicer like this...

Taken with Nokia N8

Fail of the day
For the first time I had to sign in all of my data, from my birth date to my adress and my passport or ID number, just to use payed Wirelles :) Unbelivable

Looking good!

This years Monte Grappa Trophy is going to be one of the hottest and with best weather forecast since I am competing at this comp. If you are traveling to Bassano you might check this web site to see what is waiting for us.

WWW.ILMETEO.COM

There are for sure better sites to see, but I know this one works for Nova Gorica as well and works quite well.

One more day...

Bassano, the beginning

One week more until my first competition this season. Busy Bassano skies with 130 hang glider pilots and 150 paragliding pilots. They can raise the entry fee, they can make the same price for Jellies and for us and yet they will have looots of pilots at the comp.
It should be the second race in Europe for 2011 season but strong wind cut down hopes for a valid comp at Aeros Winter race. I was in USA at the moment so I did not miss too much by not being present at the comp in the end of February.

The glider is prepared for the race so I am really looking forward for Monte Grappa Trophy

I will do my best to have you all informed about the race. I hope we get decent internet connection there as this was a usual problem there. Well, the new camping area L´antica abbazia has it all.

On the other hand, I have to thank to Davis for publishing my article about Combat 13.5. Taking words out of context just to make readers fall on it is not an idea for such a good resourced web page as Ozreport is.
No offense Davis :) I know we all do our jobs :)

The last present from Florida.
We have waited for this one for a long time. This is the actual footage that camera crew from Capefinn did on our Zero G flight in Florida.
Memories of this will stay for eternity :)

M blog app and teaser from David

Since we got together with Nokia we already made a small app for this blog. Now you can follow it also on the phone if you download it from OVI store
This is a chance to be in touch with the latest news from comps that are coming with this season, just with a click at your smart phone.
It is easy to make an app of your own as well, just try the app wizard at OVI store page.

David Aldrich from the states got himself in to production of first real movie of hang gliding. He already published two teasers that can show you what he is up to for his movie "Dreaming awake" that should be published in 2012.
I am always stunned by the work he is publishing on net. Here is one teasers that show us what he is up to, for the second one jump to his page on Dreaming awake link.

Spring is here

The season really starts here when I make a first flight from my home mountain in Tolmin. It is nice to fly the ridge in Vipava valley but Alps are Alps. I got a chance to see them up close on the first day spent in Tolmin. Covered in snow flying over with strong strong thermals. Since now I had every flight in past 14 days with a 7 m/s rockets. Thank god for winter workouts :D

Here is a nice picture of wilderness above Krn ridge

Quick brief on Combat 13.5 GT

Since I got so many questions from all around the world around new Combat 13.5 GT I tough I should write an article solely about the feelings I got on this new gun.

Now I have like 6 flights on it so my judgement is far from real thing for now. I am still adjusting it with proper weight and sprog adjustments, but I am slowly coming back to a toy that I had last year. All the flights where made in already strong conditions of up to 7 m/s thermals.

Hardware:

Glider is made from a 14 size frame from last year. They changed the sail cut to a 8.5. aspect ratio which makes glider look really interesting.

The last batten tip is adjustable now so you can adjust the whole sail from middle to the end. Sail tension is much bigger as you have smaller path from the leading edge to the end of the wing. This makes the sail stiffer due to the smaller size in this tension.

The upper sail is made from one clean cut of smoky, no stitches just one big piece of smoke which makes the glider look really slick. The lower battens are made different on this Combat as they can be bend in the middle for a better handling.

Difference between new WillsWing T2c and a new Combat 13.5 GT

Software:

Taking off:

Having the glider on the shoulders it is very nice balanced. First surprise you get with your first take off. The wing generates lift at a really low speed so you are flying after just a step or two. The stall speed is slower then with other models. This is going to be interesting to see it at work on Cucco.

Flying it:

The biggest question, the handling? I heard that question million times past days :D
When I saw it for the first time in pictures I said: "I just hope it will have at least good handling as 13,7"
I got it...

First I flew with out ballast on it so I was driven around a bit with it. A step on weight scale showed I was good during winter time as my belly went down quite a lot. With the harness I was a bit bellow 88 kg which was too low for the 13.5 square meters. A bit of lead and was strong on 93 kg with all the gear. The glider suddenly felt much better then before. Last year I made a mistake flying on 13,7 with out lead, now I know...

Flying it in thermals is poetry, yet you can feel that extra span when you hit a thermal from a side. When you get inside it is a rocket up. As it has a slower stall speed you can actually fly lot slower with it. I was very surprised to fly so slow with it already on first flights. I flew with Slovenian master Franc who was on a brand new Willswing and we where thermaling together quite the same. It is hard to say about the glide as it was a day that 20 m difference in path made 50 m difference in eight but I was surely flying with him and this was before I lowered the sprogs. Yes, they are still above the DHV measurments.

The glider is however different from my previous one, so I know that some extra hours on it will make me work it it like one.

I won`t be talking too much about the CG sistem as I have not figure it out enough. Sure is nice to get back in the thermal and have a relaxed circles and sure it is nice on glides when you pull in and have a reasonable bar pressure for the glide.

Bar pressure?
I can say you can feel it is more nervous in pitch, then 13,7 was, but lets not forget, the 13,7 was a glider made to fly with out the tail, this one is not. Still you fell very confident when you hit the turbulence as you can feel the tail at work all the time.

Landing

Remember the school gliders? Well, this one is easier...
Due to it slow stall speed you come to the push point with such a slow speed that you actually step down from the sky. The tail makes a glider very forgivable, when you push too late it does not jump on the nose so you can catch it with a short run. If you are too early, the glider will not pull up and go down on the tail but will float down more horizontal. I guess it is the tail that is doing this, I felt this one 13,7 and am felling now as well. The flare moment is big enough to catch it, with this glider you make the flare really slow, opening the glider to the very end and just step down.


Overall judgement:

I am sure that Bassano will show us a good picture about the glider. I feel confident with its handling and am feeling very safe on it in the air. Can`t wait to cross this white line in the goal field :)