Thanks to our sponsors

I have collected signatures on special edition envelopes printed for the worlds at Laragne as a thank you for those who donated to the team fund.

Who can you pick?

Ager day 5, Corinna's arrival at goal.

Another great racing day. Jonny's video is about the best report on the day you can get.

Aeros tail next to my base bar at setup.

I was with the lead gaggle all day and even led out for awhile but went for an extra top up with Carl before the final glide. I got in the same time as Blay but lost 5 min on those that took a gamble over the forest before goal and got away with it. Balazs and Jonny did well taking the late start and caught the lead gaggle when we put the brakes on as it overclouded at one point.

Leading out on the awesome ridge leading to the turn point. You could smell the yellow flowers in the thermals.
An agressive flare was needed in the leeside landing area.



The official landing was dodgy but most succumed to wanting to land together. Most of us got away with it OK but Corinna came in high and threw her drogue chute. Pilots watching from the landing were of the opinion she still needed to sideslip it in and unfortunately the chute makes it difficult to do this pulling the glider straight and tending pull the pilot back slowing the glider. She hit trees and came down on the edge of a road. We sprinted the 250m to her closely followed by the medical assistance. A helicopter took her to hospital where she was treated for concussion and a fractured ankle. Her parents took her home this morning, possibly for surgery on the ankle. Considering the proximity of the road she may be lucky.

This pic is deliberately not intrusive of Corinna's privacy but helps set the scene in understanding what happened.
Corinna's crash site. The landing was beyond the trees to the right of the pic. She was coming towards the camera and clipped the trees causing her to tumble over the trees and into the ditch at the left of the picture. the glider has been moved to pack it up.

The organisation had set a 2km finish cylinder so there were plenty of options for better landing places. They are also to be commended on the fast respose to the emergency. This was also not the best place to use a drogue chute with some tight manoevering needed close to the ground.
I felt for Corinna's parents who were there at the time of the accident, being so proud of their girl making goal and seeing events unfolding as they did.

The second last day is blown out so it is a time for doing deals. swimming and catching up on sleep after some epic retrieves yesterday. It is gusting 35kts outside as I write this.

Ager day 4

Getting into race mode at last and getting out in front.

We rigged in cloud then it burned off for an epic racing day.

Blay Olmos snr at take off today. We often meet in the air. We flew together at the worlds in '85 at Kossen, Austria. Now I have a constant battle with his son.

At the start gate over some amazing lakes.

Cameron and I met up at TP2

Fillin up water bottles at the springs on the way back from goal.

TDF

Camo and I raced over to the next valley an the practice day to catch le tour going by. We met up with two groups of Aussies and flew the flag. It was the Barcellona to Andorra mountain stage. A breakaway group of 9 had a 10 min lead on the peleton.

We got back to Ager in time for a practice fly over gorges and the flatlands towards Belageur which proved handy for task 1.

The gorge at the western end of Montsec.

The little town of Ager,

Ager tasks 1 & 2 and a blown out day

We have had two good tasks on the first 2 days of the Pre Europeans in Ager. Personally I went conservative on the first task and ended up 18th. Went harder on the second but passed up lift getting near the end wanting stronger and had a picnic for 45 min getting back up. Made goal but after another 5 hour flight, am back in 20th overall. Both tasks were similar to tasks in '94 and the '95 Worlds when I flew here last.

Launching on Montsec

Gorge crossing.
Crossing the line at Goal day 2.

Blay (El Nino) is leading with his father, Blay snr, doing well also.

The second task had us crossing a spectacular gorge both ways. It is basically unlandable. Today was windy and stable. Camo, H, our Catalan driver Mar and I went kayaking in the same gorge.

We found the frogs diving in the lake from and old bridge. H has Laurent Thevenot as a figurehead on her kayak.

Barcellona and practice days at Ager

Barcellona is one of the worlds great tourist cities and a good opportunity to pick up the mandatory gifts. The drug dealers and prostitutes in Las Ramblas are becoming real pests and take away much of the charm of a wander down this famous avenue of Plane trees.

Nick and I were met by his driver Montse and her friend for tapas in a less touristy area. Montse lives in Barcellona and drove for 4 comps in Aus last Christmas.

We had a good practice day on Montsec. Camo was a happy chap.

Worlds presentation - driving to Spain

Jonny flying the flag for Australia.

Alex gets his medal.

Top 3

Aussie female supporters cooling off.

Cruising with Bob Marley through the south of France.

Swiss Nick with his car at Villefranche

Tourist at Pont du Gard.