Here is the translation from an exclusive “retrospect” by Fabian Peitz, who flew HIS first and Australia’s first 1000 km for this season AND the first 1000 km from Stonefield as well!
To remain exclusive, I publish it at the same time as my blog, this Wednesday.
—-It all started on the evening of the day before, when Benni studied the weather, looked me in the eyes and said,” Tomorrow you are going to fly 1000 km.” I did not believe that straight away, but on the same evening we set three possible tasks to have different options on whatever way the weather should develop.
In the early morning, a last view of the weather maps and I was convinced;” If not now, when then”. We arrived at 0800, punctual, at the airfield. The glider, Discus 2B “YB” , was filled with 100 liters of water the day before. I prepared myself for 10 hours of flying and Benni prepared the winch.
One more time—briefing, hopping in the glider, checks, the rope on the hook and at 10.20 local time, it all started.
But…what was wrong with the air?? It was so quiet, no bumps; it was as if I was flying through butter. No positive news from the vario either, not while turning left, nor right. Then…0.2,…but after trying hard I had to land again.
Straight after landing I wanted to go up again, but allowed the Nimbus 4DM to go first. I looked to see if the Nimbus would put up the engine and was able to thermal after 10 minutes. If not, I would wait a bit longer.
Around 11.10 I really was keen to go for it. Everything necessary was done again, then straight after I had released, I felt lift under my left wing—1 m/s—not long after 2 m/s. It had started and with one hour delay I went for it. ” If you don’t try, you never win.” After 50 km, I turned in 5m/s up to 2800 m; the race was on!!!
I flew up north passed Burra, Peterborough and Hawker, still 80k to go to the first TP, and at 14.00 I turned 320 km out from Stonefield at Wilpena Airstrip.
I was back on schedule [time] and I quickly found out looking at the last 60 minutes, that everything was still possible. Now I was going south and as fast as possible over areas I just had seen under me. Burra was the next TP. Checking on speed, I noticed I had flown at 125 km/h. Quickly to not loose any time, I carried on north. In between it was 16.00 and all went according to plan, as I wanted to have the last 200 km to the next TP behind me, at 17.30. Cloudbase at 4200 m was perfect, lift up to 6 m/s was excellent and the speed over the task till now was just under 130 km/h.
At 17.20, I turned for the last time around the TP up north and now I was going south again and only 260 km from the magic 1000 km dream. Still two hours of thermal activity and I was sure I was going to make it as the lift was strong and reliable. At 100 km out, I had 50 m of height left with arrival, enough but not too much, so I remained concentrated but felt some happiness inside. The next 40 km were straight on with no sink, still 60 km to go…and lift from 2 m/s up to 2500 m. On final glide I really enjoyed the quiet evening circumstances in which I flew “home.” I put the [whole day beeping] vario softer and listened only to the noise of the soaring glider, sliding through the air.
An exciting feeling…nearly home…1000 km.
After 8 hours and 20 minutes I landed; everybody was excited and happy for me. We finished the day with beer and an Aussie BBQ —–
Well deserved, and thank you to Fabian for writing his story and Benjamin for sending it to me.
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