Friday AM, off the ground

Weather finally broke for a flight after a couple days off. Briefing time was pushed back to 7:00 am as ceiling was suppose to clear by then.   In the briefing the Race Director called a three part task, two HTZ's and a pilot declared fly on.

After holding at the field for some time, a supplemental briefing was called and the pilot declared goal was dropped.

Soon after a green flag was dropped, the launch became rather crowded as all teams tried to position themselves at the far north end of the CPL in order to get every advantage possible.

Pilots had to climb to 6, 000 to get the turn required, and the cloud ceiling certainly made things interesting as balloons and the ground were obscured at times and balloons needing to drop quickly (some of the most distrortion I have ever seen).

Results appear to be mixed accross the board,  with no one on Team USA appearing to be happy wirh their morning.

Landing was once again an adventure as this time it was in a muddy red dirt field.  This sugar cane field was in the process of being harvested.  Was amazed to see that it is all done by hand.

Last couple of things, as I sit here typinf this Todd is in "peeing" in a cup as he was lucky enough to be randomly selected for the new drug testing that was implemented this year.  In addition, Paul is in the Jury room officially protesting the scoring of task 16.

More to come and pictures.  Did I say the internet sucks here?