Condor Racing
Friday's regular task was an attempt at the Condor Diamond Badge which includes 300kms flight lasting at least 3 hours and a gain of height of 5000m. Several members had already achieved this, but there was a large contingent on the grid to start including Stewart, Chris, Dan, David, James, Simon, Geoff, John and Jill. No water was allowed, and most chose the Diana2, but David went in Ventus 3, and James was in DG808.
Wave was found fairly easily before the start, great heights were achieved, so Stewart suggested we started from about 10,000ft to make it more interesting! The start was near Mont Blanc with the first leg east to Matterhorn, TP2 was just short of Grenoble and then back to near Chamonix, 317 kms, wind was south easterly.
Dan was trying to lose height quickly in an inverted sideslip, and just after the start his Oculus Rift objected, but Dan went onto Spectate to coach others. James, Simon and Chris were quick to make a start, but found a lot of mid-level cumulus along the first into-wind leg. Hearing this the others decided to get a little more height before setting off. The wave bars and complex terrain was quite tricky initially, but halfway along the first leg it started to look more organised and was easy to zigzag into wind along the bars. James had a control stick failure and also went to Spectate to help Geoff and John who had got low and stuck on the ridges below cloud, struggling to get up to the turnpoint which was at over 12,000ft. Stewart was also assisting from high level. John made the first turn but having spent 2 hours battling, John and Geoff called it a day.
Meanwhile Simon and Chris were pressing on at mid-levels to TP2, David and Jill had decided to get and stay higher. The second leg involved jumping good wave bars for about 150kms. Having turned near Grenoble Chris had to go for tea, but Simon continued until he had a technical issue just 18kms from the finish - bad luck Simon.
David and Jill continued well above final glide, but clear of the tricky mid-level clouds in the valleys on a good run home to complete their Diamond Badges, whilst Stewart went on a sightseeing trip of Mont Blanc.
... and Stop Press... Well done John on having another go at it and completing Diamond badge as well.
Great fun and lots to learn - come and join us- J&P
