Day 6 - Tapawera

Wind SW 20 knots
There was a rush to get up the hill and an excitement to fly the final day of the Nationals. Looking at RASP it showed that Murchison was not working, maybe due to it being in cloud, and Takaka was decided against as it would be too unstable due to the sea breeze coming in.

Reaching launch on Tapawera  the wind was coming up very strong at times and after memories of yesterday, it was decided to postpone it for an hour. An hour past and the safety committee decided to cancel due to strong winds and to make it a free flying day.

There were no complaints and John Smith was off the hill in smooth lift. All pilots got off the hill and found the air to be buoyant but strong.

A few pilots tried to do the course that was set but no one made it. Most landed in the bomb out keen to get to the prize giving on time.

Again Glenn and Max impressed everyone with a fantastic buffet followed by desert.

Prize giving followed.

Sport Class
1st Shane Morton  2nd Adriel Kind  3rd Aaron Derby

Open Class
1st John Smith  2nd Hagen Bruggeman  3rd Paris Williams

The band started up after the prize giving and everyone partied on into the night.

Glenn and Max had successfully put on a great Nationals comp and have set a high standard for those organising the next one. A lot of South Island pilots have expressed their willingness to get across the Strait and see how the action is in the North Island .

We hope to please them and North Island pilots with Airspace lifted to 9000ft and a good turnout of pilots.

Next year we are looking at holding at the Paeroas and Kaimais. Dates to be decided on.
Mark Alton, Ian Miller, Les Graham and Adriel Kind will be organising the next HG Nationals in 2017

Note. We are also looking at holding a XC Clinic for interested parties before the Nationals.