Chelan recap

So the lady of the lake produced another excellent fun time for all us f'in pilots. All of us are thinking of the two who left us early with injuries. The last task was a tough one, until you got on the flats then it was easy fast to goal, but I wouldn't know cause I got stuck on the rim checking out a reserve thrower, who ended up all good. After we launched everyone was low and circling the Butte hoping some lift might come thru. It did, but not as much as we would have liked. At 2000m I went across to the rim 15mins before the start. It was an entry start out on the flats, then a run past Mansfield to sims corner. Several people did not get away from the rim and ended up in the soccer field and of course went swimming and bridge diving and beer drinking before the final party and awards ceremony. Russel won it all. it was clear he would (such a talent pilot and genuine nice guy) Jack Brown was second, Andre Rainsford 3rd. I think I remember that right. Melanie got 1st for the women, then Cherri and Chrissi! Yeah for everyone.

Chelan was sporting with plenty of snotty punchy lift. everyone had a lil epic tale of the wing going away. a few reserve tosses too many & some windy days. The first day was the best with epico flying. we should have set spokane as the goal. if only we had know. All the days after that paled in comparison, but were no less fun. Conditions just never got that good again. The windy day was dangerous and we will not do that again. and it was very sporting to be landing out on the flats around 3:30pm. I've always called it the witching hour and it most definitely is here! It just GOES OFF! The retrieves were awesome w/ Joy being the best driver (sports car racing past helped) beer was easy to get once in a vehicle. Hitching a ride was very fast way to get home too. Launch was always exciting with several snaky wings taking several tries to get off the hill, but once in the air they fly soooo good.

It is definitely the year of OZONE. That R10 is the game changer w/ everyone else scrambling to catch up on design. the R10.3 goes better then all the wings save the R10.2. I think half the field was on a R10. it sure does make a difference when gliding into the wind or just gliding in general. climbs like a banshee too and is VERY stable. I'm lovin mine! The town of Chelan is generous and accommodating with many good looking girls around town. all us dirtbag pilots have been made to feel very welcome. one of the many reasons to love Chelan.

Many thanks to Doug and Denise for all their hard work. Kari castle too! great seeing you! and to all the volunteers - your awesome! can't say thank you enough.

& sooo we take a day off before we begin the PWC. it will be an awesome, exciting time for us all here in the USA. many of the top guns have already arrived and joined us in the celebration last night. everyone is very excited, but a bit tired from the whole first week of flying. the next week is gonna be tough. 2 weeks of flying is gonna fry me brains. I'd love to go to Golden for the Canadian fun, but I doubt I could muster the gas and I know that I'm already broke as a joke because of the 3 comps I've entered already. I should be back working teaching flying at the POM for cloud 9 now! BUT, I'm not and so I am gonna enjoy each minute in the air. I am sure to be burnt by the 24th. We wish everyone could be here and fly with us, but the sky is already tooo crowded. several "close encounters" lend themselves to conversations in thermals. everyone is cordial and looking out for each other, but its alotta gliders in the sky bunched together. I am hoping the PWC is safer and more fun then this past week. Thanks to all the racers for showing up and making it all fun!