Race 2 Chace

After the passage of the trough, the wind became more northerly today with dryer and warmer air, and better conditions. The forecast was for a blue day with light winds and thermals to 6,500ft (2,000m). A 302km task was set with four turn points. Pete Temple's glider was back online. Race 2 proved to be an exciting race.

It was a straight out chase around the course with blue thermals. Before the start, the fleet climbed to over 7,000ft before descending to the maximum start height of 4,500ft and crossing the start line at high speed. Pete Temple was first across the line and sped away from the fleet.

But in the blue, he had to stop for a climb and the other pilots caught up to him and climbed in the same thermal. A game of tag ensued around the course with gliders leap frogging each other, time and again.

Half way down the 100km final leg to the control point, the deciding tactical decisions were made.

They were heading into – in fact, above – a sea breeze blowing in from the south. As is often the case, a line of convergence on the hills to the east of the Clare valley provided a line of energy back to Gawler. But where was the line of convergence, exactly? It was not marked by clouds and the pilots had to feel and find it.

Pete Temple had been in the lead for much of the race and went a bit west, while Norm Bloch and Erik Borgmann went a bit east. Erik and Norm chose the best line and overhauled Pete. Erik perhaps felt the air a bit more accuratley than Norm and soon was in the lead on the final stretch.

Erik crossed the finish line in 1st place, completing the 302.07 km course at 124.88 kph. He was closely followed by Norm at 124.42 kph and Pete in 3rd position at 123.81 kph.

There are three more contest days ahead with good conditions forecast. We can expect the speeds and tension to increase as the days progress to a great finish to the SGP.