We have been watching the weather all week looking at this weekend being really good. Today was an excellent gliding day – although it was completely blue – not a cloud in the sky.  The official task was a 513 km flight out to Westpoint, down to an airport / dam called PK Le Roux, then up to a turn point about 120k, north of New Tempe.  However, by mid flight I thought it was an undercall and continued up to Bloemhof Dam some 165 km to the north. My actual turnpoint distances were 639 km apart (one leg was 277km) but See You optimized the flight at 652 km (405 miles).  I was in the air for 6 hours 16 minutes and am pretty tired . Subtracting the time climbing off the 1500’ tow, I was on course for about 6 hours so I had an average speed of 67.5 mph. My friend  Ian Cook flying an 18m  Ventus 2 ( with sustainer engine) did 673 km by going a little farther south than I did.  My high point was 15,888 msl.  Best lift was about 10 kts. The Nimbus was at 1650 lbs (450 lbs of ballast) and I generally cruised at 95 mph. I never felt like I was low or in trouble for the whole flight. I was pretty cold and tired in the last final glide from 13,500 MSL.

Here is a link to a screen capture of the flight: