Rat Race 2007

[oj]

Dean won four of the six tasks and is the 2007 Rat Race winner. Very, very impressive performance against many of the top names in the sport. He and the others are now on their way to the Nationals. Go get 'em Deano!

It also has to be noted that Doug Gotthard was in fourth place in the Serial class going into the final task. Don't know how he did in the last task but he's on a DHV 1-2 glider and spanked many of the comp wings every day. RESPECT.

[Chris G]

And Dean just came in first on the last day. Untouchable...

[Parma Chris]

"D Man"

[Doug G]

Well, it was a long week, but what fun we had! Seven consecutive days of flying, with only a half day off. While I'm sure Lakeview will be equally fun, I'm glad to be back in SB.

As this year's Rat was my first comp, not only did I get some great flying, but I also learned a ton. Perhaps most important, I quickly learned how important it is to be patient while flying on the longer XC tasks. While I was very happy to be on my 1-2 during some of the more active days, I couldn't help but feel like I was perpetually stuck in the slow lane while the 2-3 and comp wings raced off in the distance. Damn, those guys are fast!

Early on, Dean suggested a good strategy….Don't try to race, be patient, just try to make goal. This ended up being very good advice, as rather than chase the fastest pilots I spent more time flying alone, at my own pace….slow. By the end, I had made goal 5 of the 6 tasks, with the one I missed ironically being the easiest day, with 70+ pilots in goal. Damn, but at least it wasn't a high point day.

Thanks go out to the rest of the SB crew who provided valuable guidance and advice throughout the week. It was very cool to see how well SB was represented, not only as a group of pilots, but also how well our comp pilots mix it up with the best!

And of course, congrats to Dean for setting the pace early and showing the consistency of a champion.

Good luck to everybody in Lakeview, I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Doug

[andy]

Well unlike Doug I wished I was going to Lakeview. I have to go back to work for now. Anyway it seems like when I am just figuring things out the comp is over. I was able to keep pretty high in the standings until I had a couple of stupid mistakes. The first, I let my haste during launching-pressure from the other pilots that I was allowed to go in front of -I didn't do a good inflated liine check and I launched with a knot that dirted me early, then the next day in the wild commotion of changing tasks and times I didn't set my start time correctly which allowed the gaggle to get halfway through before I was even established, and that happened to be the only 1000 point day, lost a lot of points.

Not to make excuses its all part of the gig, but I would like another fresh start. I am starting to comprehend the focus and mental stamina needed to do well. Because the conditions were both weak and strong during the same task, with challenging wind conditions it was very important not to make any mistakes early and risk getting flushed and then savvy enough to know when conditions were strong enough to start racing. And lastly being able to see the course and where the convergence was setting up-usually in the vicinity of Burnt ridge-and using it when it didn't seem like the good play payed big dividends.

I have to give it up for Dean that boy knows his weather as well as anybody, and puts it to his advantage. He had most of the top pilots scratching their heads, and was definitely leading the charge with everybody marking his every move and still prevailed. He is the Man to beat in my book, and that new harness and helmet makes him look pretty menacing, like Darth Vader.

Doug and Lee kicked ass for their first comp they hung in there and made goals. Doug may have a 1/2 glider but I watched it on final glide on the last day and it was pretty impressive I thought for sure he wasn't going to make the ridge before Donatos and here he comes over it with room to spare.

My best take away from the comp was that the quality of racing has gone up considerably and I can only think that is good for the sport. There where still folks just wanting to fly and make a canyon crossing, but compared to last year more people where actually competing. And the top 40 or so places where not separated by all that many points.

Finally a good luck shout out to the guys competing in Lakeview, I predict a goal for Chip in Lakeview, he was doing great the last day and damn near made goal.

andy

[Chip Bartley]

Thanks Andy, I had a blast flying with you at the rat. Most certainly the most intenses thing I have ever done. Really siked to make goal at the Nats. 3 out of 6 tasks make all waypoints tofinal glide and dirted.

Even though,I was stoked and have learned more on this trip about cross country than I have learned since I started flying.

Today was the first day on the Nats and we got canceled due to high winds. However, this place is on fire. I think there are only about 70 pilots in the race and it is nothing like the vibe at Woodrat.

They called for a 102k task today and are saying the Or. distance record is a target. The clouds where high and puffy even though it was windy aloft. peoples o2 cylindars are being filled and the best of the best are here for the battle. Its on like donkey kong. This is gonna be some BIG AIR