Wild Day at Goal

Amazing day at the goal field today.  I watched developing thunderstorms all along the way in the car and wondered most of the way if the task was cancelled.  My phone had no coverage and I couldn't reach anyone by radio so I was getting a bit worried.  Here's a shot out the window.  The sky looked pretty evil, but it was nothing compared to what was coming for the poor boys at goal.

I hadn't been at goal for a minute when I heard Jonny say "we've got 30 seconds guys!!"  No one paid all that much attention and it didn't matter much because it was more like 20 seconds when the first wave of the gust front hit from the south.

As quickly as I could help get Carl's glider secured I grabbed the camera and started shooting.  By that time several gliders were flying.  Gerolf's slammed into Shedy's back and then the leading edge of his glider. Over the top of both of them came   Tony Lowrey's glider.  He held on for as long as he could, until the wires sliced through his fingers and he had to let it go. 

I got the most of the sequence here.

Once it landed across the goal field I turned to see how the others were doing.  Blenkie's was pinned up against a car and Oyvind's was upside down a ways down the field.  I thought the worst was over and turn back to find Tony's glider going up for a second flight.

It was the saddest thing I've ever seen.  We were all just so grateful that no one was attached to any glider at that point.  I'm sure it would have been unsurviveable.  Here's Tony's driver giving the last rights to his poor Litespeed.

Thankfully, Tony is ok.  He went to the hospital on the way back and only needed several stitches in his hands.

Chatting with Attila back at HQ, he said in all his years hang gliding he had never seen anything like this.

Goal Day 2

The sky was so perfect today and the drive to goal was so beautiful that I nearly survived the trip without being too upset that I wasn't in the air ;-)  It really was such a pretty drive!  I imagined Forbes was much like Texas, but it's not at all.  To the south it's quite hilly.  The goal field left a bit to be desired....downhill into the wind and rather rocky, but everyone seemed happy to be there.  I think the goal count was around 50 in the end.  Zhenya did her personal best distance today along with several others.

I must have taken a thousand pictures of the clouds.

Goal Photos Day 1

Forbes Day 2

The skies are looking much less blue today and the forecast calls for a bit stronger wind, but from the north this time.  So, the task is 194 km to Brookham in the south.  


Local businesses have sponsored day winner cash this year.  Zippy took home $250 for first, Lukas $150 for second and $100 for Atilla for third place. 

Here's Atilla sporting a new haircut.

Zac Wins Day 1!

....no official results yet, but rumor has it that Zac won the day today.  Scores should be up on the Moyes website HERE soon.  

For David

Went past "The Dish" on the way to goal today and couldn't help but think of David Glover - he loves the movie ;-)  It's looks so much bigger in real life.  

Launch Pictures from Day 1

Forbes Flatlands - Ready for Day 1

All ready for day 1.  Briefing happening now and the skies are looking gorgeous.  I'll be updating throughout the comp via FLYMOYES at Twitter, so check it out for the latest news.  

Practice Day at Forbes

Everything is gorgeous and green here thanks to lasts week's non stop rain.  Everything cleared up just in time for us though.

It's Gonna be a Great New Year!

Finished off the last few days of the year with fantastic flights, crowded beaches and close friends.  We BBQ'd with Curt and Lou, swam at Coogee with the Canungra boys and then partied with some Americans, Irish, Kiwis, Brits and Aussies.  Couldn't ask for a more perfect end of the year.  Today we make the drive to Forbes!

Move Over Damien....Make Room For Malibu Ken

Had my first flight on a Malibu yesterday and I'm in love...yet again.  This is the sweetest handling glider I have ever dreamed of.  I'll fly it again today and will write more...for now, must run to the airport and get my man ;-)

Malibu Barbie Day at Cronulla

Perhaps they issued a few too many visas to Brits this season in Sydney, because it's been raining for several days :-)  Anyway, it's still lovely and warm here.  The flight over from San Francisco was the easiest Oz flight ever for me, thanks in part to my "upgrade pack" that didn't get me into business class, but definitely got me some royal treatment.  I left the plane with more bottles of wine than I could carry and a whole crew of very happy flight attendants.  I won't forget that trick anytime soon!

We headed out to Cronulla yesterday for some playing around on the beach with the Malibu's.  Apparently my brain didn't arrive with the rest of me yesterday, so I thought it best not to fly (I'm regretting that decision now as today is much rainier than yesterday).  But, I'm hoping for its arrival soon and maybe the skies will clear for another chance to Malibu today.

Kathryn is amazing on the sand dunes...I suspect she may have been a seagull in a former life. Needless to say, I'm envious!  The most I could do was basebar around on the top of the dune for a bit.

Flytec Race & Rally

Registration is now open.....register early and often ;-)

Click HERE for the registration page.

Back to Me

Steve (Mr. Flytec) and Bob (the "awesome" one) invited me to come down to the Florida Ridge with them this weekend. They were putting on a parachute clinic. I went along for the ride even though the weather wasn't looking the best. We had solid overcast and warm rain on Saturday, but today was gorgeous. It felt so much like a good spring day with cloudbase at 4500 ft and 85 degree temps on the ground. I had a great little flight chasing Derreck Turner all over the place - well, trying anyway ;-)

S

Home this evening, just in time to pack up for the next getaway!!