The Northhill nomads started to congregate on Pocklington Airfield from Thursday 14th to set up camp. The Club DG505 travelled on Friday. Saturday was rigging day for DD3, JZK and the Blue Eagle AXJ.
Sunday started with a long brief, a task was set and all gliders proceeded to the grid. The first launch was scheduled, delayed, delayed, delayed again then Scrubbed! Weather 8/8 cloud NNE wind cloud base 2000ft.
Monday same conditions Scrubbed, Tuesday same conditions Scrubbed again. Wednesday slightly better conditions and a task was set with five options ranging from 31.3km to 200.2km.
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| Unpromising sky (John Borland) |
The Club DG505 was on private hire by Shaun Dayman and John Borland sharing the flights with Mike Armstrong P1 - a high scoring veteran of the two seat competition. Shaun and I flipped a coin and I went first.
Aerotow to 2,000 at 15:20 into a very unpromising sky. 8/8 cloud NNE 10kts - and the whole task was down wind. Mike worked his magic and we eventually turned Doncaster then decided on turning back taking Task 3 and then the long slog back up wind for 92.1 km. The Drax power station saved the day and we got back with a few feet to spare. Two hours 31 minutes to cover the 120.8 km task in very difficult conditions.
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| The Save from Drax power station (John Borland) |
The results placed JZK first in the “Hot Ship” class with the Eagle AXJ taking first place in the Wood category (and first place for the whole day) after a brilliant downwind run by John Pursey and John Burrow. Phil Morrison and Alan Rappaport took DD3 to Pontefract and back.
As I write Thursday has proved worse than Wednesday. For once North Hill has got the good weather. Enjoy!! - John Borland
