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This was the official practice day for the regional, and the first of two practice days for the 15m nats, so we were all primed a great Logan day.  The weatherman told us we should expect blue conditions with some chance of clouds in the eastern part of the task area, with climbs about the same or maybe a bit better than yesterday.  By grid time there were almost 60 gliders ready to go, with many ballasted to the gills.  Unfortunately somebody forgot to tell the weather gods that we wanted a great “Logan Day”, and so things did not go well for the home team.

The launch started about 1:30pm with about 10 glider (including me), and by 2pm all 10 were back on the ground after short session of rock scraping.  The launch was re-started bout 3pm, with much the same result.  When I landed back the first time, I kept all my water ballast, thinking that surely the 2nd launch would allow me to climb out and blast up the valley.  After I was towed up, I spent at least 30 minutes struggling at 7000’msl (2500 agl) before giving up and dumping my ballast, followed (as usual) by immediately contacting 5kt to 13,000′!

Out on course on the first leg north to Mink Creek, I could see many gliders much lower, and no one seemed to be climbing.  I could also see a great looking field of clouds over the eastern range in the second and third turn area, and I was looking forward to getting over there and having some fun.  I could see some wispy clouds over the Bear Lake valley and was sure I could get to those clouds, then to the high ground, and I would be all set.  What actually happened was I went to the wispy clouds, and they didn’t work.  Then I committed to the high ground just east of the small town of Montpelier, and that didn’t work either.  Shortly thereafter I was on the ground in a really nice parking lot behind the Montpelier high school, and my trusty crew Mark Hawkins (the guy who created the contest SPOT tracking maps we all use) was on his way to collect me.

I gotta tell you, my landout experience this time was one of the strangest I have ever had.  My glider is sitting in plain view, at the corner of Norris and Third streets on the edge of a very small town right next to a busy golf course.  Usually this results in a crowd of people and kids around the glider, with me giving seat time to a line of kids.  In this case, not one single person stopped to look at my glider – many cars came by, and they would invariably slow, look, and then drive off.  I even noticed a Sheriff’s car idling near the high school entrance, and was sure the guy would come over and give me the 3rd degree.  Nope – the car stayed there for 15-20 minutes and then started up and drove away in the opposite direction!  I guess having a glider roll up to the corner of Norris and 3rd is a normal occurrence here, not worthy of any attention at all!

Tomorrow’s weather forecast (and the actual weather looking out the window as I write this the next morning) is for overcast skies and rain.  I’m reluctant to go to the airport this morning for fear of getting lynched after my dismal record of contest weather this year.  My wife said I should offer to withdraw from the contest for sufficient monetary consideration (or maybe just to escape with my life!)

Stay tuned,

TA