2012 Open Class Nationals — Day Four

Chip Garner in the Duck Hawk won the day with 206 miles at 80 MPH.  He said he was about 11,000 when the gate opened, and he found no lift on his way to Desert Creek Peak.  He deviated from the course several times to follow cloud streets.  When he got to Lee Vining he thought about going farther South, but he found lots of sink, so he turned around.  He worried about being under time on the task, but ended up at about 5 minutes over.  Chip also shared a quote about Duck Hawks (a type of peregrine falcon): they have speed, aerial adroitness and massive warlike strength.

The winds picked up early, at about 8:30 AM, so a short task was assigned, 2 ½ hours with a turn point at Bridgeport.  They launched at about 2 PM.  Second place went to Mike Robison in the Nimbus 3DM with 254 miles at 78 MPH.  Third place was Ray Gimmey in the ASG-29-18 with 202 miles at 75 MPH.

In overall standings at the end of day 4, Rick Walters & Pete Alexander in the Arcus are in first place with 3682 points.  In second place is Mike Robison in the Nimbus 3DM with 3671 points.   Third place is held by Rick Indrebo in the ASW-27 with 3628 points.  Since the point spread is so close, the contest is still far from decided.

— Elizabeth Tattersall

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