NW 15 knots +
Task: Take-off to Kohatu Pub then up to WANGAP back to Kohatu pub. Back to Tapawera take off then up the Tadmor Valley to Goal. 48km.
Arriving at take off the wind was light but by the time we rigged and had the briefing it had risen to 13 knots. Pilots filed off the hill into ridge lift and light thermals.
Two pilots took the second start gate and the rest took the third.
After height was gained it was a slow push to wpt 1 getting sporadic lift along the way and a slow push for the last 2km to get to the wpt. Once back on the ridge the downwind run back past take-off was not a problem.
Gaining height above take off and heading on to wpt 2 it was found that a head wind was encountered as you passed the junction of the Tadmor and Motueka valleys. It was surprising not to find convergence here but it seemed that it was on the other side of the valley.
Pilots who made it 5km from wpt 2 found rotor on the windward side of the hill which quickly pushed them to the deck.
John headed back down wind to find lift and gained more height allowing him to push out to 800 meters of wpt 2, which allowed him to win the day.
The wind had picked up after we took off and as the direction was over the far hills we must have encountered the down cycle of wave pushing everyone to the deck. All pilots landed safely and they had a good story to tell.
