2012 Open Class Nationals Update Day Two

First place for the day, Ray Gimmey in ASG-29-18 with 335 miles at 83 MPH.  He reported that he found lift in Gimmey’s bowl when he needed it on the way back.  Second place was Rick Walters & Pete Alexander in the Arcus with 346 miles at 83 MPH.  Third place went to Mike Robison in a Nimbus 3 with 343 miles at 82 MPH.  Mike flew over Yosemite and was wowed by the view; he looks forward to returning to Minden to fly without the pressure of a contest task. The launch was late for the four hour task with turn points at Silver Springs, Mammoth, and Mina.  Chip Garner in the Duck Hawk landed out in a field at Coleville, CA.  The tailwheel sustained some damage, but was repaired the next day.

2012 Open Class Nationals Update Day Three

Rick Indrebro in the ASW-27 won day three with 384 miles at 93 MPH.  He said he had a slow start but ended up at 13,500 when the gate opened.  For a while he was in the same thermal as Rick Walters & Pete Alexander below him wishing they were where he was because the upper part of the thermal was 10 kts and it was weaker below.  There was some over-development, and he encountered a little rain near Bridgeport.

Second place went to Dave Nadler in the Antares, who flew 418 miles at 91 MPH.  Third place was Bill Gawthrop in the ASH-26E with 378 miles at 91 MPH.  For the day, there were four competitors that flew more than 350 miles, and three who had speeds over 90 knots.  It was a beautiful soaring day for the four hour task with turn points at Crestview, and Hilton Ranch, with many cloud streets.

— Elizabeth Tattersall