[bb_archive/_borders/disc1_ahdr.htm]

Re: Sat 1/26

From: Benson
Activity_Date: 1/26/02
Remote Name: 208.3.185.186

Comments

I launched right behing Tom P in the same cycle. When we got to the ridge there was some very mild thermal activity, but my vario never saw more than 200 fpm until later in the day. Tom has a 25 lb advantage on me with his Carbon which gave him a 50 to 75 foot altitude advantage for the first 20 minutes of our struggle. I was in front of Twin Peaks doing zero sink 360s, 10 to 20 ft from the ground, and hoping for a bit of sun.

Then I had one of those beautiful paragliding moments. Gradually the day became just a little brighter and the zero sink I had been working started to lift me above the ridge. I had done so many circles I was flying on automatic, so I just watched as this light thermal took me from 3000 to 3500.

I had been so low for so long (10 to 20 mins) that 34 felt fantastic. I am a little heavy on the Matrix and never noticed any turb, but after landing it was interesting to note that the pilots who were lighter on their gliders thought the day was somewhat bouncy.

Tom, Ron and Burce hung in for another hour.

[bb_archive/_borders/disc1_aftr.htm]