Saturday started off with low cloud and even some drizzle, but after the 10am briefing the predicted improvement was evident by the decision to launch the grid at 11:30. Tasks were set routing south and then east towards Lasham (212km) for the pundits, Popham (165km) for the Intermediates and Shaftsbury (119km) for the Novices and returning to The Park via Salisbury South. The fairly strong south westerly wind added to the challenge. Simon Leeson's early start paid off and he completed the Intermediate task to win his group. Simon Minson didn't have quite the same luck and descided against a final glide with 200 feet to spare, to instead scratch around for one last climb but ended up in a beautiful field only about 5km short. Matt Wright managed to get around the Novice task in first place which gave DSGC the day win.
Sunday was on the surface a better day but RASP was predicting extensive high cover which would limit the day's soaring. The tasks were set routing to the north via Westbury and then east to Marlborough (112km) for the Novices, Membury (136km) for the Intermediates and Ilsey (near Didcot 177km) for the Pundits. Andrew mugglestone completed the novice task to finish second, Simon Minson was much happier after completing the pundit task only to discover the others had done it quicker and Steve Westlake was sucked out the sky by the bad juju of some crop circles near Devises.
Team DSGC ended an enjoyable soaring weekend in second place trailing The Park by 3 points. Next comp is at North Hill at the end of the month, come and see how much fun X-country flying can be.
