Scores: 15m-Daily, 15m-Total, Standard-Daily, Standard-Total

02:00Z 13 January report from Jason:

There have been 45 landouts today, all but thirteen of which are accounted for. All but one Team USA pilot made it home; Peter Deane landed out and will return in a few minutes after a seven hour retrieve. He and his crew are returning to Chavez with a Brazilian pilot who had no crew to help retrieve either him or his glider. This most likely leaves the Brazilian without a chance of racing tomorrow; most likely this is the case for some of the other 13 pilots still unaccounted for.

22:55Z Update: Preliminary U.S. Team Daily Scores: 15m—Sarah Arnold (23), Francois Pin (24)

21:52Z Update: Landouts: XT, SE, TI, JW, JB, PI, KC, AW, AR, IT, DP, KR.

 

Report from Jason Arnold:

First launch was at twelve, the order is Open, Standard, 15M

Tom, Sarah & Francois are flying team in 15m gliders with Peter Deane in standard class.

The task today should be a scenic one where contestants will have legs that bring them within viewing distance of Argentina’s coast and its beautiful mountains.

The gliders are away and it looks like its going to be a bit of work out there for the field. The classes left at about 45 minute intervals with open going first then standard and finally 15M. The gaggles were pretty large as they were jockeying for starts.

The conditions are blue as there seems to be little available moisture in these parts. It has been discussed that water bodies (lakes creeks rivers) act as thermal triggers here; some follow creeks for miles looking for lift.

I heard talk on the radio that sounded like sticking to the gaggles in the weak weather and blue skies would be best.

As of the last radio transmissions Sarah, Tom, and Francois were working the course together in the 15M category with the single US pilot in standard class flying alongside other pilots.

Helps to work together…

As a side note: I have been named pre-wgc team leader, “Jefe” :

Photos courtesy of Jason Arnold