Thermals!

Thermals were the story of the evening as the race director called a single part task this evening.  The task being a Hare and Hound.

Launch was at the airport (CPL) .  To say this was a crazy experience, is an understatement.  After waiting around for an hour for the green flag, as the hare started its inflation Todd and I realized we left the Logger at the hotel.  All I can say is I wish the GoPro would have been on the truck as Jonathan (local crew) and I went to and hotel and back.  As if Brazilans don't drive bad enough imagine one with an American yelling at him and a siren(yes Jonathan actually has a siren in his car).  The highlight of the trip was on the way back the Jonathan actually used this siren to pass a COP!  As it was happening I actually had one of this out or body experiences where you ask yourself, is this really happening.  I also remember asking Johnathan "is it ok to pass a cop", to which he said, "ya ya, no problem".  Keep in mind, this is not a highway, rather a one way street barely wide enough for two cars!  

Anyway, we actually made it back to the airport just before the hare took off.  Believe me, we made really good time!

Next was the launch!  For those of you who have flown Battle Creek, remember when Lou would would say it was "7"?  Ya that pretty much sums it up!  Our inflation was good, but soon as we let to of Todd he was bit by the first thermal of the day that first pushed him down, then up, then accelerated him to about 20mph in about 4 seconds.  Needless to say, it was fun to watch.  Not sure it was much fun for Todd however.

We quickly found the hare and was there shortly after landing.  All I can say is I have NO idea what the hare (assistant race director) was thinking when choosing this spot.  It required competitors to cross three sets of power lines, one being huge, within 200 of the target.  Believe me this picture does not do the situation justice.  

As for the flight, it required balloons to cross a rock quarry prior to reaching the power lines/target.  The first half of the field came a cross this area and did well one the target, the other half got hit by a thermal coming over the quarry and literally went 90 degrees in the wrong direction!  You know it is bad when intermixed with the balloons are about 40 turkey vulchers riding the thermals and not flapping their wings!  Needless to say, there were many baggies returned, including ours.  This flight will hurt.

After a long period of silence on the radio, Todd landed in an area that was rather rough.  Once again,  he turn on his charm and before long he was signing autographs!

Anyway, tomorrow is another day!