Gauntlet 2 February

We held the monthly Gauntlet on 2 February and though I did not intend flying, after almost everyone fell down, I gladly accepted the opportunity to complete my conversion onto the DG500M under the guidance of Martin Gruenert. When the weather turned out to be in accordance with the prediction, we headed of to Klawer - my first flight there!!! On the way there and back we raced with X32 - one of the most amazing flights i have ever had - thank you Martin and Alan. In the late afternoon Martin and I turned back at Ashton (now already SE) and flew in convergence and wave (there is a divergence between us whether it was in fact wave (2m/s below a lennie and smooth).

Alan wrote as follows

"Hi there

With the exception of Cornelius (whose trace is on OLC) I don’t have any of the competitor’s traces yet. The sad news is that since MIV was unavailable for relights, and because Adriaan was unable to launch himself (we will have to forgive this little foible) we were technically unable to offer every competitor a launch – so Saturday was not a competition day, despite some excellent distances. Thanks Adriaan for giving up your day to launch half the field twice – you da man, bro’.

We eventually started launching the second time at 13h30 when it was obviously cooking. The understandable reluctance of some competitors to be fooled into launching again was soon overcome by reports of 4 m/s in Jan du Toit’s, and Gareth heading North from Jan du Toit’s.

Both Sven and I had an excellent time being lead astray on the return trip from Klawer by Martin – showing us a new route back up the gorges from Bulshoek into the Cedarberg – I would get this demonstrated before trying it yourself! We then topped 240kph southbound on the front ridge racetrack – some of the best conditions I have ever experienced. Play the traces (when both are available) for a fast fun ride. A really memorable flight, thanks Martin.

I think most competitors flew over 300km and were in the pool with the family by shortly after 5pm!

We had a great braai with Dieter Betz (back for more punishment after his earlier visit with Dick Bradley’s Soaring Safaris) and significant other Maria and the other usual suspects. Dieter’s becoming a member so hopefully we will see more of him.

You should really think about flying the Gauntlet, it is really all about having fun. We pay so much attention to the enjoyment stuff that we haven’t scored a single day yet this season! Let’s hope the Marching Gauntlet sorts out the scoring.

See you on 1st of March, with your licences, at 09h00, if YOU can handle it.

regards

Alan O'Regan "