Day 6 is in the bag and I am quite disappointed.  It always amazes me how on the days I feel like I did good, someone seems to “smoke me”.  And, several people did as I finished 6th for the day and gave up too many points dropping to 4th overall.

The weather forecast suggested we would have not as good a weather with a much later start and weaker thermals on course.  The later start was true but the thermals were very good.  Cloudbases steadily rose before the start for 4,000 then 4,500 and finally to 5,200 at the start which allowed us to use most of the start height given our 5,000′ max start limit.

The task was shortened to Task B–the same Turn Area Task but 2:30 hours.   North Start, Hondo with a 15 km radius and then to Catarina with 50 km radius.  The storms overnight and into the morning had dropped substantial rain to the west and north and a little rain to the northeast.  There was a chance of thunderstorms today as well.

We had the usual gang together for the start; P7 (my teammate), 8H, and DL.  We were all together and had a good start at 3:20 with me leading out.  P7 and 8H took one extra turn before the start and I never saw them again.  Starting together is crucial … and starting together means “together”!

So, DL and I were off and running.  Given what was very soft conditions before the start, the run to the first turn area was quite good with our first climb at 6 knots.  I had made the decision to go to the south side of the turn area but the conditions were so good we kept angling to the north a bit and went most of the way to the far side of the Hondo turn area.  Our speed at the turn was 65 mph which was better than the day before in similar conditions.  We turned south and stayed to the left side of the course.  Conditions were improving with some streeting and good climbs.

We good climbs and the sense that we were getting higher the further south we went, we were feeling good.  DL was right there with me and doing a great job doing his part in centering and helping to find thermals.  I wanted to go deep into the turn area to ensure we would not be under time.  So, setting the MacCready to 5.0 I went until we were 10 minutes over and then just a bit more to a cloud on the edge of the turn area.

We made the turn and started for home.  There was a Cu-Nim building to the west and shadowing the course ahead.  DL and I needed to work weaker lift to get through.  DL was slightly higher so he pushed on and found us a decent climb.  A few miles further and I headed for home below glide but with plenty of energy ahead allowing me to bump up and have a good run to the finish.  I will need to do better today!