Manilla

As usual funds are a shoe string and I wouldn't be able to do half of the trips I do with out support. So a HUGE thanks go out to Jonny Durand for paying my entry fee, Moyes for supplying a Glider, and Curt Warren for supplying fuel and transport to and from the comp. Thanks!

Team chocolate

left to right karate kid-Chocolate P-Chewbacca-Star Fish

I wasn't planing on going to Manilla for the comp, but as my plans often do they changed last minute. I don't have a glider at the moment and as I said not much cash, we made it happen, found a glider and I scraped together some cash and room zoom zoom.

I have changed form a RS4 to a S5 and this was my First comp on a Litespeed S5. I weigh 87kilos and though I was bit heave on the RS4(I'll ballast up on strong days in the S5). I was a little unsure about the change. But after a week of flying it I'm stoked! It cops a mean climb and a sick glide! leaving thermals under people I would arrive at the next climb above and in front(I was flying Attila's glider he got before Forbes).

this was a big momma

The last few comps we have been nicknaming everyone for the radio. This comp our team name was Team Chocolate- with Star fish(Curt Warren) Karate Kid(Jonas Lobitz) Chocolate P(Jon Durand Senior) and Me chewebacca last but not least our drive Splinter(Nev). This trend seemed to catch on it was heaps of fun coming up with nicknames for everyone.

If you haven't been to Manilla for flying you need to find your way there. The Comp was amazing, flying 7 out of 7 days of great flying! Team chocolate was on fire, for the first few days. with Curt leading the comp and Jonas and I 5,6 place. but day 4 Star Fish and I seemed to fall apart I landed 2km short of goal after pushing hard the whole course, starfish was charging hard and landed before the turnpoint.

It just seemed to go down hill from there. I landed in the west bombout one day with locked gates around the field; and had to carry my glider across the field then across another field of thyssels and didn't have time to re-fly. The rest of the comp was just fun flying with everyone, taking lots of risks and pushing my self.

Our driver Splinter

Forbes team Upsprtizen member and florida 2011 team member beefcake aka fireman dave aka sugar bear was rocking it this comp finishing 3rd.

It seems like all Jonny has to do is show up here and bam a W...... Congrats to The candy man Jonny Durand for winning this comp 11(?) times in a row!. with Scott Barrett 2ed. as said Dave May sugar bear 3rd