what's the worst that can happen

This blog has moved

2012-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

fresh blog post HERE,

This blog has moved!

2012-01-06T19:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.warrenwindsports.com.au/blog/alex-cuddy

Yes I'm still alive, with a blog post to prove it

2011-09-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Its been ages since my last post, so this is going to be a long one. I have been super busy since returning from Australia this year. I'm preparing to head there again it doesn't even fell like I have come home yet.

Laura and I at emerald pools

laura show's everyone whats up jumping the 50footer and side flooping:) she was a trooper about it.

I have enrolled back in university; so I'm back in school. I'm very excited about that. Nearly all of it is online so I can still got hard for the next year or two after that I might have to take it easy for a bit. I'll have work extra hard to find time to do my school work and stay diligent about getting it all done. But I'm confident I'll be able to manage it.

This season at home in Reno was epic to say that least. For several reasons, the main reason was a two new friends, Jeff Galvin and Graham Johns moved here from the Outer banks(Along with their girl friends witch most of you know Lauren and Dana) chasing the dream of big flying and skiing. We all clicked in right away and became close friends. The 3 of us had some epic trips flying, climbing, cliff jumping, partying. surely a summer I'll never forget. Jeff ended up working for me and being a major part of my success helping me do a record number of tandem flights! Thanks bro. On a side note his is working on his tandem rating(should be getting his T1/T2 any day now) and will be in the SB area this winter Hopefully doing tandem flights! He's a super cool guy with a great attitude and very willing to learn and always wanting to progress. He's also a great pilot very talented. He also has his sights set on the comp scene so everyone will be hearing more about him soon I'm sure.

"The Flock" Graham-me-Jeff

My business was booming this season; as I said I did a record number of flights I haven't counted yet to get a official number but its near 100. We flew tandems every flyable day we had! I was Really happy to see my hard work start paying off. We ran super smooth and appeared very professional both of us wore "uniforms" consisting of Polo Thermal Sky Sports shirts with "flight instructor" on the back :-). I was amazed how just one small change of shirts made a difference on how people viewed us. I learned tons working with curt warren(www.warrenwindsports.com.au)last and was able to apply it to my business.

Again I was also working Valet at the local casino in the evenings and at night. mostly for fun to keep me busy. But it made things pretty manic, often flying tandems all day then driving right from the LZ into work.

Graham atop Crystal Peak at Indian valley

It wasn't all work and no play, I have flown a few comps since last time you heard from me.

When I left AU I flew to brazil and did the andadras comps. This was my first comp in BR last year we got rained out nearly everyday. But this year was a different story we had great conditions everyday of the comp.

Then off to Florida where I meet up with Curt, Lou, Wiley. A few other fridley ozzy's were there Dave May aka sugar bear, fireman, beefcake.. most recently known as gerbil 1 and also Kathern.

I ended up only flying the Rob Kells comp. On the first day of that my vario died as I was starting on the last start. So the comps was over for me before it even started. But I still had a great time.

I ended up driving for Gerbil 1 and James Stinnit for the rally. We had lots of laughs and more fun than we knew what to do with.

Texas was a roller coaster of events. I had a few good days followed by equally as bad days. but it was still great flying with good friends that I haden't seen in a long time. I was teamed up with Glenn Volk, Dangerous Dave Gibson and Joe Bostik with Jeff driving for us. It was lots of fun.

Now I'm about to leave for AZ for the santa cruz flats comp then to florida to visit family then Australia for another great season with the crew!

Me-Ninja-Jeff

Jeff bring up the tail

a few of my favorite tandem shots from this year

This guy was committed to running all the way off the hill :-)

Cupping

2011-04-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

Cupping has been dated back to around 1,550 BC in Egypt, China, and Greece, I hadn't heard of it till I saw karate Kid(the new one with Will Smith's son) but any ways seems as it's not just Jackie Chan that does it.

My back has been bothering me the last few months so I started to doing Yogo with Curt to not only work on flexibility and get back in good shape also to work on my fitness. Last week when we went to Canberra I hurt my back big time I was in so much pain I felt like vomiting, couldn't catch me breath, it was kind of scary.. but after laying for a while the pain subsided. The next night at yogo Greg( the guy how teachers the class) said when Curt comes over so should I and he'll put some cups on me.

Yesterday Curt and I went over and got some work done. Greg did a few things 1 was some electric shock therapy then a short message and finished with putting the cups on. What it does is pulls the blood out of the mussel thus creating blood flow to the mussel. I was pretty sore after but it was a good soar. This morning I woke up and felt great, it really made the difference!

They can leave some pretty wicked bruises! :-)

2011-04-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a day off from flying tandems and teaching students so Jonas, Curt and I blitzed up to Canberra for our last "crew flight" of this season. As usual Canberra served up some good flying. I ended up pinching a nerve first glide out of takeoff so I turned around and landed in the Main LZ but the rest of the guys got a nice flight in.

Stanwell served up an epic day, After tandems Steve asked me to test fly the new litesport 5 so I took it out for a session down the coast to Bulli.

vertical circles

2011-03-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago after a day of tandem flying the boys and and I went out to blow off some steam on the litespeeds. I have had a nose boom mount sitting around so I decided to put it on and go get loose. I was a bit nervous as I didn't counter wait the boom; but I figured it wasn't a big deal as I only had a HD gopro out on the end. I ened up getting some pretty sweet shoots.

I was pretty scatched on the first loop because I wasn't sure how the glider would fell with a 5ft boom hanging out the front but it was all good. All I noticed was I had a little less pitch feed back.

John Montagu

2011-03-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

John Montagu was the 4th Earl of Sandwich He was born 3 November 1718.

Not only was John Montagu and drop dead sexy man but he also had the the smarts to back it up. He's known and beloved by all wether you know it or not. If you like food between two slices of bread aka sandwich you can thank John! Now this is not confirmed but it's said that he has invented the sandwich of bread and meat while at the gambling table:-/...

He also had a quite successful political career as Secretary of state for the northern department, Lord of admiralty, and Postmaster General.

ve to say he was a salty salty dog, he had an affair with a very accomplished Opera singer Martha Ray. He also fathered as many as 9 children but 5 are irradicable. One of whom was a very talented philanthropist!

I believe this photo is what got him caught (photo taken from google)

Manilla

2011-02-27T03:34:00.000-08:00

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

where are the comp updates?

2011-02-20T02:32:00.000-08:00

I going to give twitter a try this comp. As I have been slacking on blogging during comps. I'm going to tweet this comp. so if you are keen to hear about whats going on.

I'll do a comp post at the end of the comp so check back for pics and stories:-)

twitter.com/alexcuddy

twitter.com/davemayfly

http://twitter.com/warrenwindsport

and I'm sure Jonny will be blogging

stepping up my social networking game

2011-02-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

I'm on twitter now MOFO's check it

www.twitter.com/alexcuddy

Pimpin aint easy

2011-02-15T23:52:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking I need to step my game up a bit. I know everyone can appreciate a nice tractor, one thats nice to ride but also feels so good to drive, someone also told me the ladies dig guys that drive tractors. I have been shopping around and I think I'm going to pull the trigger soon! My good friend Kraig at 2020motors says he can hook me up for sure! Thanks Bro!!

While I'm not admiring tractors or making gourmet cheese sandwiches I'm still rockin the air waves with the crew here, check out lobitz's blog @ jonaslobitz.blogspot.com he has been bustin some serious circles and I'm sure you guys will love reading about his confessions

divide by 9

2011-02-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

take any 2 digit number under 50 add the two separate digits together subtract that number from the original number and bam it divides by 9 100% example. 26> 2+6=8> 26-8=18... 18 divides by 9 :-) now you know, ya learn something new every day. A very intelligent very drunk red neck informed us of this mathematical genius.

There has been a serious lack of wind in the Illawarra region, and some serious heat the hottest week on record. To escape the heat the crew and I went up to kelly falls, 5 min drive from our house its a secluded little water fall tucked away in the forest. It was fantastic, like a jungle gym for big kids.

Everyone was climbing and jumping and flipping just going chimping out, having fun. Jonas Lobtiz, Paulo and I couldn't control our selves and went for the a high rock, it was a bit sus as there was a large rock shelf under water that you head to clear but as usual the monkeys took over and we jumped it few times :-)..

I'm back

2011-02-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

I forgot my hard drive with the Brazil pics, so here are pics of the stanwell session I had the day I got back :-) red bull is amazing

.... In Australia. Well to catch everyone up on whats going on. We finished the comp in Brazil, I think we had 3-4 days of flying. Conditions there were no the best with low cloud base and light climbs, it was not my strong suit. but fun none the less.

After the comp ended I drove up to Garopaba with Mokino and Glauco, then Sao Paulo and Rio. Did some flying in Rio then back on a plane for the 30+ hour flight back to Australia. Again Flavio at fly ranch helped me with a air port change in Argentina, we went had some beers in Buenos aires while waiting for friends then a nice dinner and back to the air port for dinner.

I arrived into sydney, while going through immigration I was "quarantined" for yellow fever, meaning they take your name you sign a paper and they said if you have any of these symptoms go to a doctor and they send you on your way.

once out One of Louise (Curt Warrens wife) Erin was at the air port picking up her cousin so I got a ride with her back to Stanwell Park. Lucky Me it was ON at Stanwell so grabbed a red bull unpacked my harness and went up the hill for a session on my litespeed!

I have been flat out since. flying nearly everyday, with a trip to Canberra for some flying at Lake G, a few fun nights out, a trip to the Moyes factory, Surfing every morning.

The wind was on this morning so the Crew and I went up for some fun flying on the malibu's playing around top landing enjoying the air while it was good:-)

Day 2

2011-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

The day looked promising with a decedent looking sky on course line but a front moving in from the north. They called a cross wind 69km zig zag task. I took off early but the climbs were light and gaggles crazy. I didn't get my self in a good position to take one of the early starts and end up taking the last but caught the first start guys just after the first way point as they got suck low.

on course

Conditions are tuff here with light climbs that seem to move around a lot, every now and again a good core would come through but it was short lived. Coming into the second turn point all of us were getting low I stopped for a climb while many others pushed for the way point. but as it seems that may have been the thing to do as when I got up I had to push way back up wind for the turn point. One I got the WP I was low and groveled for a while but landed in the end.

The storm arrives

Andre would be the only one in goal with Glauco in second not sure on the rest.

it seems like flooding and hang gliding are going hand n hand now-a-days

The weather for the rest of the week is not looking good, but well see what happens...

This is the current view from our hotel of launch on the morning of Day 3

Saprinaga Day 1

2011-01-18T03:08:00.000-08:00

Day one showed us epic looking sky's but a bad wind direction with the wind blowing down the mountain. So we hung out under our gliders in the shade listened to music and waited.

A few people ended up launching and flight directly to the bomb out.

A new year a new brazil trip

2011-01-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

Jonny had some misfortune with not having enough time to process a visa for him, but Lucky for me I had a visa:-) I got to head to brazil in his place!

This time to the South for Sapiranga competition. I had a nice flight here with a quick stop in Argentina and hung out with the boys from Fly Ranch. Hugo was nice enough to put me up in his house for the night and assist with the complicated airport change with all my usually luggage.

Buenos Aires airport checking in after my airport change. Huge thanks to Hugo for helping!

All went smooth other then when I arrived in Argentina the Immigration guy didn't stamp my passport or any paper work so when I went to leave there was some confusion but the guy got tired of dealing with me and just said go. So I gathered all my paper work and ran the plane.

Hugo and his family

Off the plane here in brazil Andre Wolf meet me and the airpot and organized a ride and I was off to Sapiranga. There was a nice pre comp party with a band and good friends.

Forbes Flatlands Steve Hocking open

2011-01-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

We have had 3 great tasks here at Forbes Steve Hocking open.

The First task was a 187km dog leg. Conditions were a big light in and around the start. Once on course things just got better and better. I was with Swiss Nick, Fireman Dave, Big John and a few others. We had a great run but I turned up wind for a climb and got hammered so I scratched but got up and went well. 20km out there was a large shaded area so I turned and went to a sunny spot but didn't find anything and landed 15km out.

Me landing at Goal Day 2

Task 2

Was a 179km run down wind. I took the last start and had a awesome run catching many of the early starters. I had a very poor start but got a good climb right out of the cylinder , Jonny and Jonas come in under me. I stayed on course line and Jonny and Jonas we to the right of course. I was flying from gaggle to gaggle the the next 160km. 50km out from goal I came in under Jonny, Carl and a few others and we ran a cloud street to 30km I missed the core that Jonny and carl got and had to move along but found a nice 800fpm to base and had an easy glide into goal coming in 6th for the day.

Thanks to all the Tug pilots and Ground crew that make the comp possible(Photo taken by Jamie)

Task 3

Conditions were not looking awesome at the start and 15 people ended up not flying. And it wasn't looking good but once in the air it was soo pleasant. I was one of the last off the ground and as I said go go go my instrument clicked over for the LAST start, crap I know I need to make goal but I had to push as there was rain come. I had a great run catching many poeple. 25km from goal I came to a climb with Swiss Nick, Camo, Fireman Dave. I saw I had goal at 12.5:1 and I went, not looking at my instrument I headed right for the town, catching a bad line @ 5km out I looked to see how I was going and saw I was 4km off course line and there were hills blocking it(I'm to stupid for this sport sometimes :-) so again I landed 3km from goal as I wasn't abel to make it over the hills

I will fall into 12 place over all, not to bad for landing short of goal 2/3 days. I'm just pushing to hard and I'm not relaxing letting other people lead out. I just need to chill out and stop racing so hard. It doesn't look like we'll fly for the next two days as its raining. I Will end up 12 in overall standing for this comp and won the A Grade and took some prize money, entry into next years comp and $100 voucher to blueye!

Again Huge thanks to Moyes for putting on an awesome comp. Forbes is an amazing place to fly so be there next year! Pre-worlds?!?

Jonny will win this comp as well with Carl in 2ed and Trent in 3rd

Photo by Jamie

craig worth open(forbes part 1)

2011-01-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

We had a big one yesterday. they called a 318(official 308 with size of turn points) to Hay. The forecast was good with clouds for half of the flight then turning blue and light tail wind the whole way.

Conditions in the start were pretty weak, so I hung back with Jonny, Attila, Gerlof, Jonas and a few others and took the second start. We had a fast run for the first 150km catching many of the first starters at the first waypoint. From there Jonas and I got split up from the top guys and were one or two climbs behind them so we were pushing hard but couldn't get em.

60km from the turn point 2 I failed to down shift when conditions changed and went blue I went on a long glide and got low and struggled for ages and ages!! but I got back up and could fell like the day shutting down. I found a few more good climbs to get me around the last waypoint. I found a super smooth 600fpm 40km out from goal I took to the top at 8,000ft from there it was a buttery smooth glide to the ground at 10km short. I was bummed to fly 300km and land 10 short but even landing short it was by personal best by a long shot at 298 km(185miles).

Curt got scared when dave and I were on our 5th Jagermister:-)

Forbes Day 1,2&3

2011-01-04T14:35:00.001-08:00

Day one we had a task but was called 35min into it due to storms on course line.

Day two day was called, again storms but we went to the Parks pool to have some fun off their 1m and 3 meter diving board.

Day 3 we get a task. A 167km triangle, most of us took the first start and had a good run to the turn point. Jonas Lobitz and I were pushing hard and found our selfs low at the 1 turn point. I stopped for a slow climb while Jonas pushed on and got super low. we both had to dig out, after a bit of groveling we got out of there and had a fast fun to the 2&3 turn point catching many people(jonas landed between them) after rounding the last way point 22km out I had goal 13:1 and went for it. I just watched my numbers getting worse and worse, I got down to 500 ft got a climb back to 10:1 12km out and fround nothing but 800+ fpm sink all the way. I ended up just short in the in the field next to the air port, and steve came with a cart so I wouldn't have walk my glider back, thanks Steve.

It was a fun task with great air! lots in goal, I think around 18-20 and many people just short.

Forbes

2010-12-28T01:06:00.000-08:00

Curt and Jonas Lobitz Left yesterday for forbes, while I stuck around for tandems today and hope to do a few more early am tomorrow. Ricker is ment to pick me up around noon and we are off to forbes for two weeks!

Even with all the rain they have been getting out there the forecasts still seem to be looking good!

Can't wait to get out and fly with everyone, see you in frobes!

2010-12-20T02:40:00.000-08:00

I have been having so much fun that I have forgotten to blog! But not to worry here is the recap.

Carols Takeoff

Two weeks ago Dave May gave Curt a call in the morning saying it was epic in canberra and we should come on up and try to fly back to the beach. After a bit of scrambling to get our gear together, Curt ended up pulling the pin and stuck around. While the Jonas Brothers:-) and I were lucky enough to catch a ride with kathyrn(Thanks).

Conditions ended up being a little more changeling to get away from the hill than we thought(or at least I did) but Trent and I ended up getting up and away. Trent zigged instead of zagged and wend down about 40-50km. Soon after that conditions got blue but conditions were amazing, buttery smooth glides and climbs. I ended up 50km to the beach. On the up side I landed just out side of a town Moss Vale. I walked into town to wait to be picked up was lucky enough to join in on the towns christmas party at the town square :-)

With a few Stanwell days Jonas, Joans and I got into the mix to see what kind of trouble we could into flying our litespeeds!

Now we'll fast forward to yesterday

With strong west winds Lachlan, Kenny a visiting friend from france, The Jonas brothers and I went to a few meter cliff in the national park for a bit of cliff jumping. Then Lachlan went to work while the rest of us did a 16 km hike up the coast back to the house. In my normal fashion I wore flip flops, that may have not been the best idea for a hike like that. But either way it was a great hike some luscious landscape and good friends.

Notice the eagle rock behind us!!

Gulgong

2010-11-29T02:47:00.000-08:00

After a awesome week of good weather and fun racing I'm back in stanwell park hanging out in the rain think about the last comp and anticipating the next one.

Curt brought out the warren wind sports easy-up tent and we had a awesome camping set up fully pimped out. Jonas came with us to drive for Curt, Blenki and myself. He was awesome an driver making us sandwich’s at goal, drinks as soon as we landed(when he was there at least).It was great to have there, He is a happy boy as he brought home a new-to-him full loaded litespeed RS 3.5!!

We had a great comp with most tasks over 100km, and many pilots in goal everyday! I had a good first few days but on day 3 I missed a way point(by a small margin) that was a heart breaker and I think subconsciously messed with my mental game. Then the next day I started with Jonny, Blenki and Trent and got a bad line and glided to the ground from cloud base right out of the start cylinder:-(. But I fell like I'm flying worlds better, flying with the lead gaggle most of the time and being abel to catch up with people when I get slowed down. Now I just need to put together..

There were two mistakes that I'm walking away from this comp learning. 1 Make SURE you get all the way points:-), and two, not to will conditions, day5 I was with the lead gaggle we were making great time. 15Km from goal we got a climb that I couldn't find the core so I skipped it HOPING there was going to be better lift ahead... well Im sure you guys can guess how that turned out... on the ground short. So lesson learned.

One of Curts past/current students Jonathan came out for his first comp. It was great to have him, he is super keen and ready to learn. Asking lots of questions and improving every flight. I think he had a personal best flight everyday of the competition! Congrats Jonathan cant wait to do some more flying with ya.

On the last night of the comp everyone went out for a bit of a party at the Pub. Good fun with some pool, Leader of the boy band and head stylist Dave arm wrestling some local wildlife;-) a trip to flirtation hill, Jonas making some big promises that I'm pretty sure are going to work for him....and lots of laugh's. I have stopped drinking as I'm really focusing on loosing weight, so I had lots of fun as an out side for once;-)

Congrats to Jonny 1st, Blenki 2ed and Scott 3rd.

Moyes boyz took 8 of the top 10 places!

grammy award winning acting and flying all in one

2010-11-12T22:17:00.000-08:00

we went for a quick blitz on the hill the other morning here is the footage we got enjoy

Illawarra national park

2010-11-10T02:23:00.000-08:00

We live right next/in the Illawarra national park. I have gone on a few solo and a bunch of hikes with Jonas, Pablo and Curt. There are some great hikes around the house.

Mt Mitchell with stanllwell park below

This water fall runs out quick so after a day of rain we ran up here to check it out!

Guy in the middle is one of the Warren Wind Sports students that came with us after his lesson.

I'm flying like crazy the last few weeks. More on this later, I'm saving it up but I have got some amazing shots and working on more so stay tuned:))

winter migration

2010-10-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

setting up

This year I have moved down under for the season. Conditions are lining up to be an epic season as I have 7 of 8 days since arriving here. I haven't had a chance to fly my litespeed yet as yesterday was the best day we had and was the first time opening up my glider since the plane ride, I found a broken sprog upon opening up the bag :-( so I missed a classic day at stanwell on my litespeed there are many more to come, but I still got in a FULL day of flying.

Off the plane right to the hill for a fly @ hill 60

I'm staying Curt Warren at Warren Wind Sports world headquarters in Stanwell Park with Jonas a pilot from Germany and Pablo another guy from Brazil so we have a fun crew! The house is awesome, 2 min drive to takeoff, 1.5 minute walk to the beach/LZ. Just a short train ride into town with some good partying. What more do I need?

Me buzzing Jonas dune-ing @ Cronulla

I have been slacking on video and pics a batteries are pricy here. But my Dad got my a new HD Gopro for my birthday so when that thing arrives I'll be getting some good stuff for sure!! Thanks Dad.

Clip of the week #3 not just flying

2010-09-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

I have hardly had time to sleep this week so finding time to upload a video has been tuff but none the less here we go. Due to lack of quality footage for you guys I put in some dirt biking I did with my buddy scott last week.

Everyone who lives dies, yet not everyone who dies, has lived

2010-09-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

One year ago yesterday my Mom and Robbert Bigley passed away doing what they loved. Its amazing how time flew by and how much my life has changed in one short year. Yesterday my sister Susan her boy friend went down to Lodi to remember. Craig Stapleton meet us there. Susan did her 2ed and 3rd tandem Jesse did his first tandem. On our first jump I let some ashes go, a great felling to let them go with susan and craig in the air. It was a awesome way to spend the day and remember Mom and Robbie. After Craig invited us over for dinner with everyone. It was lots of fun spending time with such a great group of people.

Here is a short video from the day.. this is going to be my video of the week:-)

Clip of the week

2010-09-05T18:52:00.001-07:00

So I'm going to give this clip of the week try. Every monday I'll post of a new short video. well see how it goes but it would be fun so stay tuned. Here is clip number one Enjoy

quick session

2010-08-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

So we have been flying this site loads lately... I have been on 2mm wires(I changed them after this flight) so there should be some good footage soon soo stay tuned!!

How sweet does that Matrix Race look huh?!?

daydream=reality

2010-08-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a bunch of us went up to lake Tahoe to fly daydreams. When we showed up and it was super light but after going to the beach and showing the guys the beach LZ there was a nice looking wind line moving in.

we got up to the gate unloaded the dirt bike and Willy started running the gliders up to launch. When he got back from the first glider he said it was ON. Will and I helped every one launch and we got off. It was an amazing session, the air was smooth as butter so will and I had a good time taking turns going out over the lake and expressing our selfs. I chased everyone around buzzing playing around.

I'm still flying 2mm wires so I kept the monkey on a short leash. It was lots of fun, I wish I got some good pics of my landing;-)

Last days in Cucco

2010-08-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

Wolfi's secret wepon

I got home to Reno this morning and have been reflecting on Monte Cucco I can't seem to wipe this stupid grin off my face. Even though we only got 4 tasks we did have two epic free flying days. The comp was great with lots of people making goal every task, flying over the coolest terrain and some great racing. The town was lots of fun we have a few pretty wild parties.

On a side note, a HUGE thanks to Danny and Marco at the Dominus who let Zippy and I crash in their basement and totally hooked us up. If you didn't go this year and are planing on going next year I would recommend staying there those guys are great! and its right in town and lots of fun.

launch the day after the comp

Monte Cucco is like a extra large south side, The day after the comp there were alot of people out for a solid expression sessions before heading home. A constant train of low passes full rope 1ft or sometimes even less through takeoff, some acro going on out in front. Every one just letting loose having a time.

The next day Jeff S, Dustin, Mike, Raul, Zippy and I loaded up our gear in Marco (our driver's) van and headed into rome to explorer for our last day. After splitting up to sort out everyones hotel and gliders. All of us meet back up for some sight seeing, We Cracked open a bottle of wine and started our city tour. We were in awe at how lucky we all our the day before we were partying in the sky with friends from all over the world and the next day were drinking wine in the streets of rome looking at building that are 2,000 years old.

After some dinner we went out for some partying in rome, The group split up and those of us that stayed out it turned into a all night party that I will not soon forget:-) I'm stocked to be able to share these amazing experiences with so many awesome friends!

Monte Cucco Task 1&2

2010-08-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Takeoff

Pilots meeting

Between being super busy and lack of wifi here it has been hard to keep up but here we go.

Task one was a 124km(I think) task to the north then north west down south past takeoff into some air space and back to goal near town. I took of late waiting for the HUGE gaggle to spread out a bit, I got to the start gate in time for the second start took it but went back for the 3rd due to a bad start. I ended up starting with OB, Zippy, Ben and Derrek. A good run with them to the turn point 1&2. On the way to the 3rd TP I dove over the back of launch lee side where the sun was and free fell out of the sky to the ground. about 50 pilots made it in, there is a big issue with air space here a few pilots got a Zero for the day

Task 2 was a 101km out and return going a bit past goal and back. I fell like I'm flying much better, I was with the front gaggle of the 2ed starters and had a good run. I made a few mistakes that slowed me down but over all felt like I'm flying very well. I had a super fun final glide into goal with a few other unknown pilots.We dove into the turn point low got a good climb that(I) took to 9:1 to goal and went on glide. It's so much fun racing next to these mountains, charging over the crest and seeing them open up is amazing:-)

Ben Dun landing at goal

Today we didn't fly because of rain front moving in. But we waited for the rain to move out, clear up and the flying was great for a little expression session more and more pilots started showing up lots of swooping launch, top landing, and aerobatics going on there was a always someone to watch.

Wolfi, Dustin and I went out and swooped some ponds in the valley. It didn't work out so well as there was a unknown fence and power lines around the pond but we still got to swoop it. Dustin swooped this other one it was pretty amazing.

Monte Cucco

2010-07-30T12:07:00.001-07:00

we have been super busy here since arriving in Rome a few days go. No flying yet as a front moved in the day we arrived. should be getting better after today.

Zippy and showed up in rome with no real plans to get to montecucco. But as usual every thing worked out we got glider and gear rides to Montecucco with Ron and went into Rome to see some sights and meet up with Dustin and jack for a ride for us. After a little speed bump with dustins gear not making it we were on our way.

The town here is great there's lots going on,Zippy Dustin, Konrad, Eduardo and I are staying in house 8km out side of town as we dont have a car its a bit of a chalange to get into town. Yesterday we headed into town to long pack our gliders, find a rescue driver/team and go hike up to launch.

today is downloads the first day of the comp is tomorrow but most don't think we'll be flying so we'll see....

what have I been up to?

2010-07-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

After returning from my last trip to Brazil I finally headed home for the first time in more than 6 months. Tandem season has been a bit slow this year but that just means more time for free flying! So I'm just hanging out here till we leave for italy.

here area a few pics a videos of a few flights I have had over the last week or two.

Enjoy

A tandem flight from the other day

A few pics

we all went to the Ownes the other weekend weather was not good so we went on a nice hike in onion vally

flight report 5-31-10

2010-05-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

We have flown 11 days in a row so far!!!

But looks like the poor weather we have been anticipating for a few days now has moved in. We were expecting to not tomorrow and maybe the next few as we are heading to the comp where the weather is going to be crap for the first day.

So on with today, it was a scratch feast, I launched first went to the left found nothing but light broken lift that I worked to maintain. Konrad said it was working well out front of takeoff so I moved there watched Konrad and Pelio glide around the mountain and out of sight. few minutes later I heard them land near the river crossing, witch is just a few KM from takeoff. I scratched down that way never getting above 800M(take off is 1,100m) when I got to them I scratched over them for a half hour never getting about 600m. hoping the day would turn on and I could pop off a nice flight.. but it didn't happen. I flew for over an hour never getting back to launch height. I like flights like this to keep ya on your toes... if all your flights were epic they wouldn't seem that great, I think one needs flights like this to make the rest that much better.

I for got my camera so here are some random pics from this trip ...

Konrad landing in the main LZ just at the end of main strip in town, Valadares

This is me herding some cattle

someone's gotta pray for us:-)

Pelio just off the ramp @Valadares

Broken upright? didn't bring a spare? no problem there is guy in town who will fix it easy!!

2010-05-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

The flying here is so constant I have lost track of how many days we have flown but we have flow every day since arriving here in valadaders. I the conditions are not super epic but they are so pleasant to flyin super smooth thermals, nice easy 50-80km flights, flying over some of the most amazing terrain I have seen. Hopping valley after valley with a different rock formation in each one, landing every where.. you just pick a hill side by the road side. Most every car stops to take a picture, say hi, check to make sure everything is ok.

first time we flew this direction.. very cool

Konrad climbing up

Valadares sunset

I want youuu to show me the waaaayyyy

2010-05-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

showing me the way

Valadares is so consistant every morning we look out the hotel window and the takeoff is fogged in between 11am-1 cloud base lifts and gourgous clouds are streeting up. We have flown everyday since we have shown up, not just flown gone XC.

Today we flew 80 something KM out and return that felt like 40-50km! Konrad and I tried to go a bit longer but when we past takeoff things tarted to shut down... its the winter here so the days are short.

LZ right on the river at the end of main street

There are TONS of vultures here. They thermal up with us on takeoff and go with us out the turn points when we turn around they follow!! LOL its pretty fun I have some great video of flying super close to them but the WIFI in the room here is slow and I can't up load it so pics will have to do for now:-)

The crew

living the life

2010-05-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

How lucky am I? Brazil for 3 weeks, back to the US for two comps, drive home and back to Brazil for another 3 weeks... what more could one ask for?? Moving on

Konrad,Pelio, and your truly missions for this trip is to fly as much as we can for the next 3 weeks..so far I have been here 3 full days and we have flown 2 of them!! Not a bad start. Were hoping to fly everyday, Do some serious XC!!! Since I don't have to take a glider back home with me I'm hoping to even fly Itamonte pack up and race to Rio to catch my evening flight to LAX:-)) so well see!!!!

Hard to believe this turned into

into this day... this is a below average day here!! Looks pretty good huh?

I arrived 4 days ago after some luggage not making the flight from DC to RIO. We had to sit at the airport the next day for 6 hours to sort it out. It worked out well as we also had to pick up a Pelio from the South of Brazil as he is also joining us on the 3 week flying trip. We packed up for our early departure from Konrads place in Rio and Head Itamonte. The next morning at 6am we were on the road and at take off at 1pm... conditions looked very good for a nice local flight. We all got off the ground had a nice hour or so long flight. Its pretty amazing flying next to huge granite rocks looking up a cloudbase well over the tops of the mountains then look over to the other side of the mountains look down at cloudbase! very cool.

Itamonte.. this was very cool cloud base was still 2k feet over my head in this pic!! We are going to stay and Fly there for a few days on our way back

We all landed packed up put the driver we that came from rio to drive for us back on a bus to Rio and finished the 5 hour drive to Valadares!

Valadares

Today we flew had a nice XC flight.. This place is amazing I can't think of words to describe at the moment. The flying is SOOOO nice, super smooth, stunning terrain, the town here is something else let me tell you:-) Our hotel is sweet!! we look out our window right at takeoff and the main strip.. perfect view:-)))

We are planing on staying here for at least a week depending on the weather!!

drive-fly-drive-fly-drive-jump-drive-fly repeat

2010-05-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Looking over the back of slide towards Lake Tahoe

I have been a mad man lately, since last Wednesday I have flown Slide driven to LA picked up gliders drove back to Reno delivered gliders, Flew again, drove to Lodi made a few sky jumps, Drove to LA again now I'm sitting in denver waiting for my flight on my way back to Brazil for 3 weeks(its a ruff life I know but someone has to do it). The flight I had saturday was pretty amazing as I did a short flight out and return(30miles) but in a direction I have never done a out and return.

I had a few gliders to deliver, one of the pilots who was getting a new glider was going flying so I meet him out at the LZ. I couldn't drive out there and not fly.. what kind of person would I be? A responsible one but I'm not, so we all loaded up and jammed up the hill. The forecast was looking very good with a high could base and strong thermals. We all got to take off and set up and launched almost right away as it was looking soo good. Right off launch I climbed out and headed north, jammed down the range under a very nice cloud street not making any turns just climbing, It got soo cold I had to move off the line to get down and warm up:-). After getting to the end of the range(I flew just past hight way 80 for those of u that know the area) I remembered I still had a glider to deliver and HAD to land back at my truck. I turned around and followed the same street right back past take off into carson valley. I climbed up at the north end of carson in the smoothest 1,000fpm thermal and glided back to the main LZ where I packed up and drove up the Lake to deliver a new glider to my customer. Dennis a local pilot cranked off a nice 65 mile flight. I think it was his second flight of the year and he only flew a hand full of times last year! He was pretty excited hopefully well see more of him this season!

Heading north.. that's Reno on the right

The Run to the north is a fun mountain range to fly over absolutely magnificent. Flying past Mt Rose a 11,000ft peak and looking back towards Truckee and into dog valley. There is still LOTS of snow I don't think I have every flown with this much snow! The last two flights at slide have been the most sensational flights I have ever had there in the 6 years I have been flying. So if you have time get up to Slide do it as soon as you can!! The conditions seem to be ON and the scenery is absolutely amazing right now!!

cross country

2010-05-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

The crew Me-Glauco-Eduardo

Well the florida comps are over and I'm back in Reno for a few days before heading back to Brazil for a few weeks!

I haven't being doing a good job at keeping my blog updated and have had some complaints so here we go.

James Home

Eduardo, Glauco and I made a little Raod trip after the flytec R&R. We meet up at James Stinnetts house in TN Flew Hensons Gap after flying we had a nice mexican dinner with James and his Girl friend. After we hopped in the truck and started the 30 hour non stop drive to Dinosaur,CO. We made a small bed in the back so one person could sleep and one could drive and someone to talk to the driver. We hoped to fly dinosaur,CO but after calling some locals they said the weather was not looking good so we kept on drive the 9 hour drive from Denver to Salt Lake City. We got in to SLC early in the morning and as soon as we pulled into the point the wind was light but there were some locals that said Inspo was on and we could tag along. On only a few hours of sleep we followed them over the inspo LZ and headed up the hill.

Hensons Takeoff

After a long day of flying we meet Karl and Emily at the north side where they were flying their PG's. We went to have a nice mexican dinner with Karl and his wife Emily. I droped the boys off at a hotel and Karal let me crash at his home. Thanks Guys!

Inspo take off

The next day we woke up had a nice session on the south side of the point, packed up to make the 9 hour drive to reno for a little saturday night partying in Reno!

Now I'm just relaxing catching up with friends that I haven't seen since October/November when I left for the east coast.

Glauco and I will be leaving the next few days for LA where he will head back to brazil and I some work to do and will be leaving a few days later!

Here is a short video from the south side.. the monkey was on a short leash as it was a bit sleep deprived

Rob Kells Comp wrap up Flytec R&R day one

2010-04-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well its day 2 of the Flytec Race and Rally, and the day ended up being called to due to wind so we are having a lazy after noon.

Out of the Swamp

The first day of the rally didn't look good low cloud base lots of high clouds over head. I was one of the last to set up so as soon as I was ready I and walked right over into launch line and got off the ground. The day ended up being pretty good(for me at least) cloud base was low but the climbs were close together and the lift was good I usually found 3-500fpm. I landed with Glenn and Greg 9 miles short we went on glide from cloud base and didn't hit a bump. Only Jonny and Dustin made it in with dustin wining the day.

I know have been slacking on keeping my blog up to date.... sorry to the people who read it. I have been super busy here between flying the comp and Dragon flying lessons I have had pretty full days. I hope to post more during the rally.

Climbing up with Jamie in her Litesport

The Rob kells Memorial comp was great fun we had some good flying after the rain passed. I'm felling good with my flying and know I'm flying much better even though the results might not be showing it. So I'm excited to get some more days in on the rally

Rob Kells Comp Task 2

2010-04-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday We call a 105KM task that was like two legs of a triangle. Conditions in the start we pretty good but had a low cloud base around 2,200ft. I got a poor start and was 500ft below everyone and was dropped off early. After a bit of groveling I got a good climb and the OB and Zippy caught me from the second start and left me behind as I was still climbing to base when they flew over me. From there I had the fast run. After the 1st turn point I caught a gaggle and was on top and leading out on every climb so I felt I was flying very well. I was a bit worried because my 6030 was loosing signal on final glide and I went through the cylinder when my instrument was out and I had to fly 800m back to get the cylinder(so I thought I got it the first time) so I wasn't sure If I got the cylinder but it was all good. I ended up coming in 7Th for the day.

Ricker is on fire here, he made his first goal yesterday but didn't make the cylinder and yesterday he made goal again and got the cylinder! Good flying Ricker

Here he is just before takeoff on his first official goal!!

Weather is looking poor for today so not sure if were going to fly but after this system moves through weather is looking great for the next week!!

Quest to the Ridge, Rob Kells Comp Day1,2,3

2010-04-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

TO DAY WE FLY!!!! 48KM TASK!

The day before the comp I flew down in the Dragon Fly with Rhett. It was good fun flying over the swamps, chasing birds, flying low through patches trees. I have Video but I'm a bit to lazy to do it now.. maybe when sever boardoom sets in I'll do it.

On the first day after we called the day and the rain cleared there were some tandems James had a great idea to let the Passengers pick their pilots. They were smart girls picked the best of the best Jonny and I:-). They had a great time

Its been raining her for a few days now.. we just saw the sun for the first time of the comp but its since gone back into the clouds:-(

Coming home

2010-04-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been to Brazil pack up your gear buy a ticket and go, I assure you regret it. I'm hoping to be able to go back in August for Brasilia and stay for a bit after the competition to hang out and fly other sites.

Coming home I almost didn't make it out of Brazil on time as the day my flight left the largest rain storm since 1966 hit and many roads were totally flooded, School was canceled and many people didn't go into work. Nixon who was going to give me a ride to the airport his car was damaged in the flood. Luckly I was talking to Jonny he sent a message Allen telling him what was going on and he came to my rescue and gave me ride to the airport assuming the roads were OK to drive on. Luck for us the road to and from the air port was perfect.

The water level is about 6ft higher then it should be

Now I'm back at Quest getting ready for the Rob Kells and Flytec R&R that start on Sat. I'm looking forward to getting in some good flying and seeing friends I haven't seen for months. My Dad is flying into Orlando today to drive for me in the Rob Kells comp so it's going to be great to have him here for a week.

Arriving back at Quest

blogging seems to take up a fair bit of time so I'm thinking of opening up a twitter account and doing that and one blog post at the end of the comp or what ever.. so we'll see.

Pizza

2010-04-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

After flying yesterday a bunch of us went to a all-u-can-eat pizza buffet, upon arriving konrad said the person who eats the most slices doesn't pay for their meal. Now as most of you know I'm about a poor as a homeless person after a beer run. so free meal sign me up!

next thing I knew they were bring out pizzas as fast as we could eat them. After five Jonny, Konrad, and I were tied. Another pizza came out they passed it up I saw they were slowing down so I made move and shoveled down 4 pieces and had a demanding lead! I knew then I had to pace my self as the desert pizzas hadn't come out yet.

Klaus showed up with his wife showed up and Klaus got in on the action. He was lucky as they started cutting the pizzas in 8 slices. He quickly passed konrad and Jonny and caught up to me.

Then the desert pizza came out, these little beauties are the most tantalizing masterpiece I have ever tasted, banana cinnamon and colocate strawberry. The colocate strawberry is the most scrumptious pizza I have ever had, you haven't lived till you have had a mouthwatering pice. At this point we were all tied Konrad, Jonny Klaus, and I all had 11. Jonny called it quits early witch I didn't realize at the time but he had seen how this movie ends and wanted no part. so it was just Konrad, klaus and I. We all made it to 15 and hit a wall.

I had to win(I didn't have enought money to pay and literally HAD to win lol) so another chocolate strawberry pizza came out and I got a slice then konrad said two so I said 3 and we both had 3 slices. I pulled out a move and made a 3 layer pizza sandwich.

We were down to 1/4 of the pizza left and both couldn't fit another bite and still tied!! So with some advice from Jonny boy I started eating smart. Instead of trying to finish the hole 3 slice sandwich just finished one slice, and here comes Alex into the lead at 16. At this time Konrad went to the bathroom to "try to make room" and a muscled down another full slice so I only had one slice of crust left.. yea mofo 17 slices!

this is when he was "trying to finish his slices"

BOOM Alex wins 17 FULL SLICES(really 18 but I couldn't eat the crust)!!! TAKE THAT Konrad LOL.. if you know Konrad then you know he couldn't let this happen. even though I ate more he still tried to call it a tie... So Konrad could sleep at night I agreed to pay half but still take home the WIN!!

The Champ! at the end of full 17 slices

This is a disclaimer if you find your self in the predicament with Konrad changeling you to a eating contest quit while your a head I'm still paying it 15 hours later. Konrad will stop at nothing to save $9 dollars! Trust me when I say its not worth it

Andradas 5/6 and awards

2010-04-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

How amazing is this take off?(photo taken from superrace2010.blogspot site)

After only two taskable days in Andradas the comp came to an end. I finished in the middle of the pack witch is OK with me seeing as I made a poor decision on day one trying to catch a gaggle that put me on the ground and day two was well... say I was under the weather ;-) but when in rome.

They called the last day early to have the awards to so people could head back. We packed up the hotel and went up to the awards so we could leave after they were done make the 7 hour drive back to Rio De Janeiro with Max and his family as Konrads truck broke and we left it to be fixed.

Pilots trying to stay dry

The awards were good with top 10 getting trophies of some sort.

Top 3 went as

1. Jonny Durrand Moyes Litespeed RS

2. Dustin Martin WW T2c

3.Mario Rosadas Combat

photo from superrace2010.blogspot

Andradas is a great little town the people are super friendly, the parties are great, the flying is very good(when its not raining), The food is not only amazingly delicious but very cheap(average meal is $4-12 USD).

the cats meaw tring to get struck by lightnigh

Pastre hotel is where we stayed and is great, its no 5 star but its still nice very small and the people who run it are super nice, very tolerant of those crazy gringos ringing the door bell at 4am coming home;-). Clean rooms, good breakfast included and very cheap I split a room with Konrad it was $100reais(around $55 usd) for 6 nights!

liquid sweetener

Even though we kind of got skunked this year I would love to come back next year. I have already made plans to come back for Brasilia right after Europe to stay for a month or so, I sure hope I have lots of tandems and students when I get home!

2010-04-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

Andradas Day 3/4

2010-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

I wonder why they called the day?!?!

We have lost yesterday and today due to rain but the Gringos have been making up for it as we closed the bar down last night.. we'll see what happens the next few days hopefully the weather clears and we get some more great flying in!

Andradas Day 2

2010-03-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday night was party night here in Andradas we went out and hit it pretty hard. When in rome you know.

This morning was good as I was still a bit tipsy but no doubt it quickly caught up to me and I slept under a glider till launch opened, ran over the bushes let out some of last nights fun;-) quickly set up and launched.

I was flying Andre and another pilot in a combat all was good till we hit a blue hole I stopped for a light 2m/s climb the pushed for some clouds but we were getting low I was having a hard time keeping up with them as Im not gliding very well. This screwed me as when I realized I should of gone with them the cloud they went was gone along with them. I landed a nice field right of the main road. Swiss Nick landed with a few min later. Brazil is great manny people stoped to make sure all was good and to just say hi.

I'm flying a RS 4 with all aluminum and standard frame and am truly amazed has to how much the zoom frame improves performance gliding with other RS they just walk away from me. I can say 100% the zoom frame is the best upgrade you can do

It appears today was a hard day only Jonny made goal with a few other getting close about 20k short. My other team mates landed near the start cylinder and a certain gringo didn't make it out of bed :-). There might not be any more flying in the comp as bad weather is on its way.

Andradas Comp day 1 and travel day

2010-03-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

This launch is amazing a restaurant with wifi, most amazing grass right of a golf course to set up and take off from.

Internet here is rather slow so I'll be short.

The plan was Konrad and his friend had business meeting along the way to Andradas so we would stop Rob and I would walk around well they had their meeting. Then we would drop Konrads friend off at a bus and he would return to Rio and we would keep on to Andradas. We'll plans changes and Konrads friend was picked up by his brother in Law in a CJ1(citation 1 VERY nice plane) The Guy who owned the plane had a cool story. He was VERY VERY poor drove a milk truck and had a small chicken farm. He got one store to buy the eggs then another store and another next thing he didn't have enough eggs so he stated buying other farmers eggs to keep up with demand. He now Makes MILLIONS sells to Aisa, india, and afew other countries!! I thought it was inspiring story and he was a very cool guy(although he spoke about as much english as I speak Portuguese) but we got by.

COMP DAY 1

I got a late start set up in the back and lines change like crazy here so you have to be aggressive right from launch line. I launched with my instrument off so I flayled around in the air trying to turn it on and get he comp route active I almost sunk out and got super low! people came in over my head and landed but I stuck with some zero right over the trees that turned in a little that turned into 6 m/s and I got up and away. Good run most of the was to first turn point I followed a cloud street off course line and stated to see people so I made a run for the turn point got it and skipped a light 1 m/s climb hopping to catch the people in front of me when I got to them I missed their thermal and was now stuck in the blue low and by my self(I had been flying by my self the hole flight so far).. I search and searched with the little altitude I had but found nothing I landed with Konrad and few others( I either can't remember their names or I don't know how to spell it sorry). about 30 Pilots make goal. I have heard Jonny Boy may have won the day with Dustin on his heals!

I heard the weather might get crappy but who knows.. I have heard today may be the only day we fly but I don't know either way you can rest assured we will make up the lack of flying with partying ;-)

Primeiro vôo no Rio

2010-03-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

Look very carefully notice anything wrong with this picture? The water is very pretty isn't it;-)

Today we were going to make the 5 hour drive to Andradas but Konrad had some stuff to do and Rob and I wanted to fly here in Rio. we went to breakfast and a local pilot and a driver meet us there and headed right up to launch witch is about 10 minutes from the LZ.

I love this the bus logo

The tandems are not able to fly right now due to some problem in the association, So launch was not the normal madness it usually is. About 5 or 6 other HG pilots showed and 4 or so paragliders flew later in the day.

Take off

I had a great flight flew for about 40 minutes in light lift. We didn't get very high but just flew around did some aerobatics and climbed back up to around 1,000ft. It was fun thermaling over and up the side the big condos with people swimming in roof pool and sun bathing on their deck not caring that we were flying near them. Apparently there any lots of flyable conditions but not very many days one can soar so it seem as if we got lucky.

I landed Rob and the other pilot( I can't remember his name) hung out at the LZ witch is on the beach, Indulged in a few beers took in the view ;-) just relaxed before heading back to meet up with Konrad and head to dinner.

Where did you wake up this morning?

2010-03-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

we and all of our gear made it

I woke up in San Paulo, Brazil, had a short layover and finished in Rio! I left tuesday the 23rd out of LAX. The tone at the airport really set it off, I walked up to United over sized luggage with two 160 pound bags with 2 gliders in each bag my harness bag with clothes and a large box with stuff. Charles from United looked at everything asked my what I thought they weighed.. 100 punds?, "UMM yea around 100LBS most likely less though and maybe 40 on the box and bag. " He just looked at the a sheet of paper said $ 250 per bag for the gliders and $175 for the box, ahhh this trip is going to rock, I paid the Man and was on my way(Thanks Charles).

I meet up with Konrad in DC as his flight was canceled the day before. We got some dinner and got caught and talked bs before our flight to Rio.

Rob Clarkson from Canada joined us in San Paulo. We had a nice 30Min flight over to Rio, I fell asleep before we started to taxi and woke up on the ground in Rio(I didn't sleep on the long flight DC to San Paulo). We breezed through customs with out 10 gliders and headed over to Nixon/Moyes Brazil and unloaded gliders, ate lunch, helped unpack a stack of litespeeds and a few Tandem gliders.

Moyes Brazil, not a bad set up huh

Rob had trouble in Canada getting his glider on the plane so when he meet Konrad and I in San Paulo told us about his glider Konrad was on the phone right away finding him a glider to fly. I didn't bring my RS 4 instead I'm flying a Litespeed S 4 on loan to me it will be going to its new owner after the comp here is over, Nixon also had a glider for Rob to fly. We loaded up and were on our way.

We had a relaxing evening, Went to the pool at Konrads house to cool off then a typical Brazilan dinner(the food here is amazing),went over to Konrads friends house to Pick his glider. On the way back we stopped off at a bar and had batida its a coconut drink and continued on home. Its midnight here so I'm going to hit it.

We leave for Andradas tomorrow! Jonny flies in sometime tomorrow and Dustin is coming in sometime in the next few days also!

got a morning quicky

2010-02-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I make a camera mount out of PVC pipe it is super simply to a 1/2 T fitting cut off half to mount on upright a 3 ft long pice to a 45 another 2ft pice and a hole to mount the camera very simply and super cheap. the only problem is it didn't stick out long enough so I went out and extended it another 2 ft hopefully I get to fly with it soon. Here is a shot video I made with it using my Canon SD940 I don't know how to increase the film time I'll have to mess with it tonight.

right after I landed and put my glider in the hanger it started to rain sideways so I was happy to get a flight in.

last night launch

2010-02-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

This was one of the most amazing things I have seen in person. I went down to see the launch the night it was supposed to blast off but they scrubbed it due to some weather around the area and low cloud base. The next night I almost didn't go down because it was so early in the AM and 1:45 min away, but April,Jim and Mike were going so I went over to Aprils for super bowl. Jim cooked some steaks we watched the game then crashed out early.

I could fell the heat about 20-30 seconds after initial take off the roar came through we were around 10 miles away!

Tow clinic

2010-02-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

My Dad and Bruce Rhymes are putting on a tow clinic, for those who haven't done Truck towing its heaps of fun, super easy to learn. There will be a good group up there to fly with and the air port they tow out of is very hang glider friendly and the flying up there is great so it will be a great way to kick of the year!

Platforn tow clinic March 19, 20, 21,.... Susanville Airport, Susanville, CA. $200.00 +

$10.00 per tow , 5 tows needed for PL rating... BBQ Sat. afternoon at the airport...

releases will be available to purchase if you don't have one.

Bruce Rhymes will be the instructor for info Please call 775 378 1707... limited to 10 pilots....

For sale Litespeed RS4 $7,000OBO

2010-01-31T17:09:00.000-08:00

Litespeed RS 4 full carbon LE, sprogs, battens, zoom frame w/carbon bar, smoke sail, gray, red black, 130 hours, minor scuffs on LE.

I'm in Florida and can ship, I will also be in LA in March.

$7,000 OBO

alexcuddy@ymail.com

five3zero-4one2-two2eight0

2010-01-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

My A.D.D is starting to kick in, the weather here in Florida has been windy and crapy for the last week since I have been back so I'm staying at the Aunt and Uncle's house here in jacksonville.

With flying on my brain I went to the hobby shop today to have a look around.I found this little jem it looks exactly the same as the one I had flown but it was $30 cheaper so i got it. It is tons of fun after a little bit of getting used to it I felt right at home buzzing around the TV room here!

The only down side is the battery life on the remote sucks I might get one or two flights and charges out of it(the remote charges the Heli battery).

I'm hooked I have been flying this thing around all day!

Here is a short video I made from a few flights and different angle's(yes I'm pretty board)

Litespeed S5 on performance enhancing drugs

2010-01-18T18:39:00.001-08:00

We'll maybe just performance enhancing parts.

I haven't had much to blog about, the last few months in florida being pretty slow with crappy weather and not much flying other than a few tandems at Quest and flying tandems of the boat with scott at Paradise Hang Glding check out his web site HERE

I flew out to LA to hang out with Kriag do some flying and a few sail replacement' s. One of them was upgrading my Dad's old 2004 litespeed 5 to a brand new Litespeed S5 with the zero sail and zoom frame!

Its pretty sweet for $3,650.00(that's a 1/3 the price of a new one!) he has a brand new glider! You can't beat that, you'll most likely see me flying at a few comps this upcoming season(assuming the old man lets me :-)

OLD

NEW

Bruce also put a new sail on his glider and it looks great also $3,650.00 and BAM a brand new RS

Old Sail

New Sail

The trip out here started a bit ruff with the airlines destroying my helmet and bags, getting deathly sick with the flu, but it turned around with the sail swaps going pretty smooth, some good flying at marshall, and a super fun day at the Milestone motocross track with Kraig,Tanner and their friend Mike who has been out a few times with them. He and I had some good fun racing each other all day.

Tanner got a new-to-him 250 so he was pumped to be out riding that thing. Towards the end of the day I started to get the hang of riding and was keeping up with him(almost), little did I know he was way holding back, he noticed I was keeping up with him and stepped it up and left me in the dust :-). Either way it was a lot of fun hope to go riding with them again.

Here we are unloading the bikes, I didn't get any other photos because we rode all day only stopping for a quick bite to eat and a drink.

Above base

2009-12-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

Today was the nicest day I have seen since I have been in Florida warm but pretty overcast. With not much going on the last few days I was super keen to fly. Don form north Carolina set up so I figured I couldn't let him fly alone so I set up and so did Dustin.

Cloud base was 1,300 so we got towed up to 4,000ft high above base to check things out. you fell so detached from the world up there above the clouds.

If you look closely you can see Dustin

Where am I?

2009-11-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

I got to my Cousin Heather and Amanda's last night, we went out had a nice dinner and got caught up(not much to get caught up on as I talk to them all the time). We came back to house they opened a bottle of wine, and Amanda started baking a pie for thanks giving dinner while Heather and I watched:-)

The Raleigh sky line

The girls had to work today, but they woke up early and made breakfast and headed off to work so I decided to go for a bike ride(thanks Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jeff for the new tires) and explorer Raleigh. The first part of the ride went well, I was on nice back country roads till I mad a turn on to a busy street that out of the blue turned into a high way(40 I think) but I took the next exit/turn off the highway and kept on going. None of the roads around here have a bike lane(non that I was on) very different from home every street has a bike lane or a shoulder. Anyway felling pretty good about being on the right track to downtown Raleigh I found my self in a not so good neighborhood, I just looked forward and pedaled as fast as I could:-). Just out of the neighborhood a car bulled up beside me I looked over to see them pointing and laughing(I'm assuming at me a white guy in spandex riding a bike in the hood pretty safe bet haha) I'm pretty sure they knew I was lost,need less to say I was happy to be out of there.

Once into down town Raleigh it was very pleasant. I soon found my way to the Historic part of down down. It was pretty cool there were many statues and a few old buildings and churches. I stopped to read a few of the info boards and take pics but zigged my way through down town before heading home or should I say try. be for I left I figured I'd take the same home I took to get there but once down town I wanted to see some thing different so I figured I'd just go for it find my way back. About half way home I knew I was lost and remembered I had my Iphone with me so I took it out and look on google map ended up I was a little off track it was pretty easy to get home from there. Fun little ride I rode in a big circle around Raleigh pretty cool to see the landscape.

Lost

It felt good to get out and ride the bike for a few hours after driving cross country and now down the east coast in the last week! since leaving LA last Monday I have put 3,2xx miles on my truck! she'll be due for another oil change when I get to Florida.

My bike Trek DCLV 110 carbon

The Big Apple

2009-11-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

getting on the train(Aunt Cathy saying you better get on the train will leave ya)

On my way to Florida for the winter I'm making a few stops, the first one was my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jeff's house just side of Philadelphia. I got here late Friday, Saturday we went to a few of their favorite wineries for some wine tasting.

We figured since they were only 2 hours from New York and I had never been that's what we would do to day. So this morning my cousin Jennifer came over and Aunt Cathy, Uncle Jeff and mack and I drove into Hoboken,NJ where we took the train/subway into the city.

inside ST Paul's chapel

nothing better then street food!

We did the whole tour, We came out at ground Zero saw the Church that the fire men used to eat,sleep get away from all the chaos. The fire station across the street from ground Zero, with the big memorial plaque. After that we went to Battery park to see the illegal street vender's but they were all packed up there must of been cops around but we still got to see the statue of liberty, she look pretty small from that far away but it was still cool to see her in person.

Battery Park

The lady

From there to the south side sea port we didn't spent much time there as none of us were really into shopping. Then we went up to china town we just walked though I have been to china town in SF so I didn't fell like seeing that. It was getting dark so we went up to time square to check it out. It was pretty cool to see it all light up.

Times Square, I took this before it got to dark but it really lights up something every one should see) I would love to here for new years

After that we went up to Rockefeller center to see the Christmas tree(there were still putting decorations up) and the ice skating rink. It was getting late so we got back on the subway and headed back to the car.

The Swarovski Star(I'm pretty sure its going on the Rockefeller tree) its 9.5 feet wide

New York is pretty cool very busy city lots of stuff going on. Its pretty funny to see the illegal street vendors they will all be lined up on a street with fake or stolen purses,watches,sunglasses laid out on a blanket with a pull string when the lookout runs buy and tells them the cops are coming they all pull up on the draw string the blanked picks up the stuff they are all off running down the different streets. They have it down to a since. We did see one person get busted looked like some of the merchandise fell out and she stopped to get but was a bit to slow.. oops shake down:-) didn't stick around to see what happened.

2009-11-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Its been non stop since coming back from Ecuador I have been super busy. flying hangout in LA.

This week has been a bit crazy Monday I drove home from LA Tuesday packed up every thing I was going to need for the winter in Florida. Got on the road Wednesday morning and drove for 3 days straight only stopping to sleep for 4 hours on the last day.

I got to My aunt and uncle place here in Reading,Pa. I'll be here for a few days then off to Raleigh,NC for thanks giving. After that off to Florida where I'll hibernate for the winter.

Its better than sitting around

2009-11-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

When I checked the weather and the wind sports site(witch is updated every morning on the daily forecast) it said it was going to be north and not flyable, but I heard that some pilots thought it was going to change and become flyable so headed up there to give it a go. when I got there it was blowing all over the place but Chippy, and a few decided to head up any ways, we loaded up gliders and drove up the hill to find it blowing in nice on launch.

Looking to the south west

Rob who had taken off earlier flew over launch and said they were getting to 5,000ft and it was good! We all set up quick and got off the hill, all 5 of us got up in nice smooth(for Kagel) thermals to about 5,200ft. I was test flying a litespeed S5 so I just hung around didn't go very far a little way to the east and back over the west a bit just enjoyed the smooth air to fell out the glider.

looking to the west

The Kagel crowd is a lot fun never a dull moment, I hung around had some drinks before heading to dinner with everyone.

Gringos are back at the home land

2009-11-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

Now back state side I can get caught up on blog posts.

we had two practice days that were a blast, our first race day it was raining on launch for a few hours we sat around till it stopped raining but could base didn't lift so they called the day cloud base lifted and we all flew any ways and OB and I took a start time and ran the course:-)

Day 2 we race, I tried to get into good position for the first start and thought I was so when the clock turned over I was full rope diving across the gap towards the first turn point, when I got across the gap to the ridge I saw people screaming over the head 100ft and much faster so I turned back and took the second start. To my surprise Kriag also hung back for the other start. we had a good run on that start with one mistake at the 3rd turn point that cost us a fair bit of time. Dustin won that day, with Shapiro, OB, Kriag, me.

OB, Dustin and I went over to the north cliffs flew around. Those cliffs are amazing no beach till you cross the point they are load of fun to fly over!

After a bit of time cruising around OB and I headed back to the hotel to land and join the party we got there pretty high so I went into a spin and about a revolution into it I look over and see OB doing some steep wing over next to me so I just kept of spinning watching him when I came around. I wish I would of had a camera on my glider it would of look cool. Dustin came in a while later and stole the show with a nice landing coming over the water low and fast turning on the beach to a nice landing, it was a crowd pleaser for sure!

Day 3 was a bit lighter than the day before but still good enough to call the same 58km(I'm pretty sure) task from the day before. We all launched an hour before the first start and took a run on course to see how it was, lift was pretty consistent through out the hole curse. Every one converged in front of Launch to get up and ready for the first start gate. Over the last year I have built some mental blocks and and lost confidence in my flying so I opted to not take the first start with every one to stay in my comfort zone this would prove a HUGE mistake. I had a good run for the hole course not slowing up to much, I felt fast and smooth(who knows how fast as i had no one to compare to) all the was to the last turn point I got to the ridge and felt it was lighter that it had been and I didn't have enough altitude to make the turn over the town and make it back so I stopped and turned on the ridge not climbing at all I said well I'll just go for it. I got the turn point over the town and made it back to the ridge but I was to low and out of compression. I turned back on the ridge trying to save my flight but was just getting lower and lower, on a 200ft ridge you don't have much room to scratch so I turned and headed for the beach, landing next to our hotel.

After a bit of pouting while packing up my glider I look around and realized where I was and forced my self back into a good mood for the last night party.

Dustin won the meet again 4Th year in a row Shapiro 2ed and OB 3rd.

This was the best trip one could plan. All I did was buy a ticket,pack my glider and get on the plane every this else was taken care of transportation, lodging, every thing.

Even being so far away I still felt at home just being around good friends. I had a great time and hope I able to go back next year!

Huge thank to Raul for putting on the event, Mike, Edwardo,(there were a lot of locals)every one who helped hull us around and made us fell at home.

here is a quick slide show I put together of our trip from start to finish.

Photos taken by,Jamie,Ricker and I.

Back to school

2009-11-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

One of the school rooms notice the english

This morning we all went to the school here in Canoa. Jeff and Ricker handed out work books(Thanks to Jamie and Kriag) also some DVD's and printer ink for the school, the rest of us played with kids. I heard they are going to donate money raised to help build two new buildings or help pay the teachers the year(they make 250$ a month). We had a blast playing and interacting with the kids. There was one kid that took my camera and was taking pictures with it he soon got distracted buy Kents Iphone, it was pretty funny to see him tying to figure out how to work it. Some played soccer, hulla hooped, just hung out and watched. These kids have the best energy, it was amazing to see how happy they were to receive the smallest gift.

Every one excited about new Movies

Now on with the flying, the wind was much lighter today they it was yesterday so we went up to the higher launch. I got off and right away went racing around trying to figure this place in the lighter wind. On my second pass to the south it was getting a bit light but I didn't think much of it. Just before the second to last crossing before the turn point I came in under kraig turning 50-100 above I just kept on going thinking it was going to be good on the other side. There was light ridge lift mostly thermals I went for the turn point and thought I could come back to the ridge before the crossing on the way back and hit lift along the way. I didnt hit any lift and knew right away I should of slowed down a long time ago and it was going to be hard to get back up into the good stuff. I scrached at 100ft for ages ended up landing next to the road buy the turn point. I'm just glad I made this mistake on the practice day not on race day.

Every one is going really well so tomorrow is going to be interesting:-)

One little girl trying on Jeff's glasses

Photo with the school(this is the hole school)

Pure magic

2009-10-29T17:39:00.001-07:00

Our hotel room

WOW, Today was the most magical flight in a hang glider I have ever had. After a long drive to Canoa from Guayaquil and seeing how much we have compared to the local people. Some high stress on Launch due to doggy launch conditions and some scary launches I was thinking I didn't want to fly, I felt so relieved to finally get into the air and knew right away this flight was to be special.

The view from the top level bar at our hotel

I went off to the higher cliff's to the south and started to climb up. when I got high I pulled out Moms ashes and opened the bag and started to drop the ashes the right at this moment I look up and I'm at could base getting sucked into the cloud. Ricker was just behind me and off to my left and he said it was inspiring, the ashes they dissipated into a cloud. I couldn't control my laughing and ear to ear smile. I pulled on full rope and dove down to ridge and raced back and forth charging learning the ridge. There are a few gaps and are pretty technical after a few runs back and forth I meet up with kraig and we had a go, it was to much fun racing full VG full speed wind tip to wing tip next to the ridge. I don't have words to explain how much fun this place is!

Ricker got to watch me send Mom off it was cool to have some one to share that moment with me

The sun started to set so I went out to land on the beach to land right at our hotel. Just like Guayaquil the atmosphere in the LZ was the same with music people,food,Drinks. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face even now waiting for food I'm still ear to ear!

Here is a video mom living on(I was talking but all you hear is wind noise so one might want to turn off or down the volume on your computer:-)

Landing In guayaquil

2009-10-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Towing up for a late evening fly

Ricker took some video of me doing a down wind pass before turning around and landing into the wind

Every one was sitting around tonight after our long drive from Guayaquil to Canoa looking at photos and Videos from the last week and we have had so much fun already. Its such a great group of people wether were flying, hangout, driving on a crapy road for 8 hours we are laughing having fun I don't know many times when you can truly say that about a group of people.

Kraig and Dustin smashing records

2009-10-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

Loading up gliders

Yesterday was the best day we have had so far smooth climbs up under clouds all the was to base at 3,000ft. I was over the ridge with dustin,Ricker,Jack,Kriag,Davis. we got to base and I took my camera out to snap some photos, I look back and Dustin,Kriag and Davis have left over the back I was a bit lower than I wanted to be but I knew I had LZ made so I went as well. I ended up landing at the last Turnpoint LZ, with davis about 20KM futher.

Flying over the slums

the Jail next to where I landed

Kriag and Dustin got up in a epic convergence and has a fairly easy going to where they landed beating the previous record of 40Km with a nice 80-90Km(were not to sure yet exactly what it was) flight putting 500$ in their pockets(250 each they are going to split it)

The town came out to see what was going on

Guayaquial

2009-10-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well late nights and early mornings(9 am) its been difficult to update, Today we woke up late the Jeff's,Jamie,Dustin,Ricker meet up with father Frank to go around town and check out some of the poorer areas and try to buy good for the less fortunate people here in Guayaquil. The stores were closed but they just gave the money to Father Frank to buy the medical supplies,Food,Clothes tomorrow.

The rest of us had a lazy day, the conditions were not good when we showed up at the Field, it was drizzling and cloud base was rather low. so we hung out for a few hours, later about 7 of us set up for a spot landing contest but lost interest quickly. I went for a short fly and we packed up and came back to the hotel.

Yesterday was a great day every one went up the hill and set up right away conditions look great. Raul launched first on his brand spanking new litespeed RS 3.5 and skied out! It took a bit of time to get off the hill as it was pretty cross but good cycles would come through it was easy launch. Almost every one got up, we were getting pretty high any where form 2,200ft to 3,400ft so it was really good. This event is awesome The LZ is a huge party beer,food,girls,good friends so if you sink out it not that bad you could also aero tow back up if you wanted another wack at it,what more could any one ask for!

Jeff Showing off for the Camera crews on launch

Kraig and I took a tow up for a late evening fly and I put on a small showing with a nice spin and some steep wing overs and we both finished off with a fast down wind pass over the glider and croud before turning around into the wind for a nice landing, Ricker got some good footage Ill try to get off him and post up.

The View from the top of our Hotel

After every one packed up and headed to the hotel for a shower and dinner.

Down south

2009-10-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

Where to start... Last week after a super fun weekend partying till the sun came up with Ray and friends at home, I drove down to LA to help kriag out(taking cars around) and getting ready for Ecuador. Of course we waited till last minute I didn't get my glider packed up till 10 p.m. the night before we left and didn't get to bed till 1 am.

Trying to tell YES they gliders will fit!!!!!

The next morning(23rd) we woke up at 4:30 to go to the airport knowing that it was going to be a challenge 3 people 4 harness loaded up with led weight, helmets,spare parts,tools,ect, 4 glider over sized and way over weight+out luggage! After some tense moments and not taking no for a answer John and I were a bit soar. Jeff what at the other end of the counter just as they said yes to us so had a bit of back and forth but he made it pretty easy paid about the same as John and I. Any one who as traveled with hang gliders or just over sized luggage in general knows what I'm talking about. After that it was smooth sailing easy flight from LAX to MIA where we meet OB, Jamie, Dustin,Jack,Ricker we had a drink and a bite to eat and off to Ecuador we went.

We were greeted in Ecuador by Rual and a whole film crew, we loaded up and they took us to the hotel(that they arranged for us) where we are staying during our stay Guayaquil. Its a pretty nice hotel and they are sponsoring the event so its half price!

The next morning we woke up went down to eat breakfast and pilots meeting, they told us the plan for the day and for the next week lots of stuff to do including giving to the people of Ecuador OB and ricker have raised around 4,000$ to give donate the the children of Ecuador help get school supplies, food, clothes.

The brand new graded launch

Next we all loaded up in the cars Rual arranged for us local pilots and again a rental car sponsor hooked us up with two toyota pick up trucks! And we were off the unpack our gliders and head out the brand new field with two run ways a huge red bull tent and lots of media to film us, as well as manny local people to watch. They really make you fell like a rock star, I landed and before my helmet was off I had a Red Bull in my hand and a guy asking for a picture with him and his wife! its pretty cool.

Some people stayed and towed a bunch of us opted to head up to foot launch the new site. Its a super nice launch very wide and super smooth air coming up very stress free. Once in the air we were all taking turns buzzing launch, doing steep wing overs, spins letting loose for the cameras! I got a little to low on the ridge and sunk out.. but it was ok because I just are towed back up for a late evening sight seeing and aero session!

Dustin did some tandems as we all packed and put our gliders under the Red Bull tent for the night. They have a guard to watch our gear.

Dusting and his passenger setting a new trend

Ecuador is amazing the people are great and love us coming down and love hang gliding even more! I can't wait for the rest of the week and seeing what the beach has to offer! Its special being down here with such a great group of people every one has a great vibe its easy to feed off the energy it makes for a great time!

WOW

2009-10-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas vacation

2009-09-30T22:27:00.001-07:00

My cousin Amanda and her boy friend Cameron came down to Vegas for a little vacation and to support Cameron's friend who is in the finals for a softball tournament. They showed up a few days early so I stooped by on my way home and spent a few days hanging with them.

It was lots of fun, especially with all that has happened in the last few week I was not excited to go home. There are lots of things to keep my mind off of every thing in Vegas!

The New York New york

We had a fun filled few days we did loads of walking around just looking at the amazing buildings and all the cool stuff. A normal day was waking up going to poll laying around till mid after noon getting changed and walking around seeing different casino's.

Cameron,Amanda,Me at Tournament of Kings waiting for the show to start

We went to tournament of kings its a medieval times sort of dinner show. You eat with your hands and every thing it was awesome! We also did a few roller coaster's, the one at the nascar cafe and the Insanity at the Stratosphere, the wind was blowing 45 mph so the big shot was closed that was the one I wanted to do. I for get how much I don't like roller coaster's and How afraid of falling I am(I know its weird because of hand gliding and sky diving but I swear its different). There are lots of free little shows out side of the casinos we got to see the Treasure Island one that was pretty sweet! We saw so much more but I really cant list every thing so those are what I like most!

They sink one of the boats at the Treasure Island show!

That was my first time in Vegas strip it was loads of fun I wish I could of stayed for a few more days. Amanda and Cameron are seeing Chris Angel tonight I was going to say for that but couldn't get tickets next to them;-( I was pretty bumped I really want to see that show!

Cameron,Amanda and I at the Stratosphere if you cant tell the wind was pumping(click for a lager image of any of the pics)

Santa Cruz Final day and Awards

2009-09-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

Launch line

So I'm a little behind on blog post, I left Casa Grand and went to Vegas and there was NO FREE WIFI any where on the strip. I guess that want to keep people out spending money not in their room on their computer.

The final day they called a 91km triangle(I think) out to the south over the east to back to the resort.

All packed up

I towed up behind the blue and yellow tug with the small motor, I wasn't sure he was going to make it off the ground:-) it looked like he came pretty close to the bushes at the end of the run way, but he got off and did a great job. He dropped me in some nice 350fpm lift I worked up to 4,000ft. Ben got dropped just to the west of me I saw him climbing a bit better so I went to him but that died off after a few circles. We saw Chris who was climbing much better so we went over to him hit 500fpm we took that up to 6,000ft and we both took the first start along with about 8 other pilots.

Ben went left of course line I went right. Ben got a good climb and I lot him. I got something a bit light but it turned on and Ricker and Phil come in and we took that up to 7,700 they left a earlier I stayed because I was still climbing pretty good. Just after I left this climb I got another with Derek(who took the second start) took that up to 8,000ft, took off and got the first turn point and kept going. Just before I crossed I10 heading towards the second turn point I got another good climb I took up to just under 8,000ft.

We were truly out classed by our chase crew

Wendy showing up to pick me up seconds after I finished packing up

Here is where it got week every one started to struggle. We had to go off course line to stay away from Eloy drop zone. I went to the right of course line(it was a quarter head wind) trying to stay as up wind as possible but the wind ended up going west I was now down wind but it didn't matter because it was so light. I could hear Ben and James getting low a few km ahead of me, I was also starting to get low and searching for lift. I could see some birds at the prison maybe 3km away circling I also heard Ben get a thermal here, so I dove for them but nothing, I was down to 300ft calling our driver telling her I was going to be landing, I was diving for dry field with power lines going across it at the east end of the prison hoping for something, just so happened our driver was in that field watching me. I came over this field(maybe 250ft) saw another bird and found a nice core 600fpm that took me up to 6,000ft and I went on glide. I watched a few people land and heard James land on the radio in front, so I started to slow down and try to stay in the air. 8km from the turn point I was down to 4,000 ft and found found 300-350fpm worked that back up 4,700. I saw some pilots circling over the east of me on the way to the turn point. I came in under them but couldn't find what they were working. So I drove for the turn point seeing lots of dry fields on the way but found nothing. I ended up landing at the turn point with Patrick,Larry, and Greg landed just after I did.

It was a hard day that started strong but died off quickly

Only 4 people made goal Zippy won the day then Derek and dangerous Dave, and Jim on his atos.

Our Team from top left to right Brian Foster,James Stinnett,Me,Ben Dunn,Chris Valley,Burce bousfield,Bill Foster,Christina, Wendy.

Awards

Litespeeds dominated the meet taking 1,2 and 3rd,

1st Kraig, 2ed Robbin, 3rd Derek

Jamie really went all out with the medals they were olympic quality!

Kraig with his gold!

The awards were great fun we all did some drinking but the bar shut down around midnight so we all took the party to the hotel room kept partying till the wee hours of the morning. Most had to be up early to drive home but that didn't stop us. I woke up at 6am to do a 64 mile ride for Bill(Patrick's father in laws birthday) I only made it 38 miles went back to the hotel for a nap;-).

Day 5

2009-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Every one getting excited about the day!

Today they called a 75km down wind task. the wind was a bit breeze from the ENE so we went to a different air strip a few miles to the west of the resort.

It was a much different day that most thought with good lift in the start and it got better on course, well for me at least. In the start I was doing pretty good and was with the top guys but right before the second start I got separated from the pack and would fly the rest of my flight by my self till the last thermal I would meet up with Bruce,Lucas and a few others.

I was going pretty good to the first turn point using some pointers I got from Robin&Phil, and they were working great. I got a good climb that took me to the first turn point but just before I got the turn point I got hammered got down to 3k ft. I grovelled for the next 10Km just trying to stay in the air. When I got the end of the valley Lucas met up with me and we worked together just staying in the air. After about 10 Min of that we got a good climb and Bruce, Jim on a rigid and another flex came and we all climbed out and went on final into goal. I had a pretty fun final glide with Bruce just off to my right I came in with enough time to get in a few turns to set up to land! There were a bunch of people in goal not sure where I made it I think some where in the middle back of the pack but I'm not sure.

Ben,James, and I with our A+ driver bill on the way home from Goal(we all made it in, happy pilots)

Today was a super fun changeling day. I have been flying so much better. knowing when to go when to stay and staying calm when and after being low. Much more consistent making goal 2 of 3 days so far. I had been hearing tomorrow in going to be even better!

Day 4 we race.....go karts that is

2009-09-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we woke up to even stronger winds than the day before so the day called early. There were a few ideas of what to do Hiking,Biking,Movies, shopping,atv riding. About 13 of us went and rode indoor go karts. These were the real deal, they girl said they went 45mph it felt like they did. It was a blast we had a little inside competition for the go karts that was no joke, every one had their game faces on. In the end the top three were Kraig,Me Brian Foster.

The great thing about coming to hang gliding competitions is even when we don't fly. Evey one still has a great time just hanging out.

Today is looking like we are going to fly.

day 3 no flying

2009-09-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Day 3 we woke up to a fair bit of wind. We could of flown but there was only one way to go and it took us over some not so friendly terrain also the wind was coming over some big trees on take off that we would of been towing right into the rotor of the trees. They called the day Every one was happy with that call.

A bunch of us went into town hit the thrift stores to get some bowling shirt's and goofed around. Kraig,Phil and Greg went out and rode Kraigs Bike

Kraig going for the gold

Jamie tried to beat Kraigs longest jump that didn't end well:-)

I got a sweet shirt that I felt like Charlie Sheen for Lucas's party for winning the HP video contest you can watch it HERE. So the first round was on him. David put together a poker game with about 10 people maybe more. The rest of us hung out drank and had some good laughs.

This is a tow buffet right?

2009-09-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Scores can be found Here click on the latest winner for the day winner and total on top of the page for The current meet winner

Pilots meeting

They called a 112kms(70miles) down wind task with 3 turn points one cross wind leg.

To day was a bit of struggle in the start It took me Three tows to stick(stay in the air) with a little help from Jamie and Nicole I stuck and had a good flight.

I was with Ben,James,Chris,dangerous Dave and a few others, Ben was hight and left before us. I found a light climb low that turned on and we all got out, at this time it was almost 20min past the last start time. Chris I and a few others had a good run to the first turn point I was leading out close to catching Been when I realized that I missed the turn point and had to turn back several Kms to get the turn point. From there it was easy good climbs and nice glides all the way to goal. I felt like I had a nice final glide from 20kms out arrived in goal fast a little high 300ft but it was loads of fun. Super rewarding with the trouble I had In the start.

Scott Huber and I glide to the best thermal of the day 1,000fpm to 9,600ft

Even with making goal I lost a few spots because I was so late. Good, fun day of flying none the less. This place is great. The hotel is sweet pool,hot tube,good food here 20 ft from our room and a tow feld 1k away. What more could a hang glider pilot ask for, its the best.

Dustin first, Derek second. zippy thrid.

Kraig winning the meet over all:-)

Santa Cruz day 1

2009-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:00

So Saturday morning Ben called to see how I was doing made me realize that I need to come down to get my mind off what has bee going on with loosing my Mom and be around friends and get some good flying in. I'm glad I did it has been great so far. I'm having a blast and its been great to see every one. I'm sure mom is happy I came.

Dangerous Dave Gibson

so its kind of late and I tired so Ill be short.

In the start circle it was super weak 300fpm to 3,800ft was a good climb, as it came to the first start derek and I went to the east towards the edge of the start and got pretty hight(6k) I lead out but derek turned back so I followed and waited for the second start. Witch was amazing, every one took that start it was super cool so see 30 gliders racing full VG to the turn point. Moments like that is why we fly hang gliders and compete hang gliding 30 friends racing 40-50 mph though the sky with no motor just you and a wing just amazing!

Ben and I on glide

I stuck with ben and evey one else was together we all had a good run to the second turn point, ben got low just before the turn point I got a good climb and kept going with every one. Just after the turn point I missed a climb that ever one else got and ben caught back up. we slow going to last turn point here is where we messed up james S was with Ob and many others the lead gaggle he TOLD us to go up wind the left of course line but we still went to the right because they were climbing. Ben and I missed the climb groveled for a bit before landing 40 or so Kms to goal. Ben beat me buy a few kms he tried for some dust devils but missed them.

I think we could of done better with a zig in stead of zag but I'm still super happy with my flying and so is ben. James Rocked it today landing just a few miles short of goal and Ricker kicked ass as well placing just between Ben a I.

Humm what are you doing here?

In Loving Memory

2009-09-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to write to much right now.

Yesterday I got new that turned my life upside down.

My Mom and another jumper Rob passed way yesterday in a sky diving accident. I never thought this would happen. My mom was a incredible person who accomplished so much. In 2007 she set the world record 100 way canopy formation. She just enjoyed life hiking,biking, sky diving.

Her and Rob are now flying free, I love and miss you Mom.

Thanks to everyones kind thoughts and words.

My thoughts go out to Robs Family

Mom and I last year on mother's day after making some jumps

Another day in paradise

2009-09-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Woke up early this morning to get up to launch and set up to fly a tandem for a surprise birthday present. They showed up and we go off is the smoothest air I have every flown off at slide. Samantha Loved hang gliding hope when she gets home to LA she take lessons!

There were a few pilots looking for rides up the hill so they loaded up as I broke down the Tandem glider and we headed up the hill.

Gliders on Launch

Dad launched first in my falcon he is flying due to his back with me just after in my litespeed and we climbed up right away. There was a inversion at 8,700-9,000ft we hung out there for a few minutes before breaking through it. I got to 11k with dad just below me. I started to head south to do a small triangle around the valley, and hear dad on the radio say he was going to come with me on his falcon! So I was talking it slow trying to let him stay with me.

Dad and I climbing up you can see him just in front of my wing

We went up to marlette lake and across to Mclellan peak, Dad got super low as I got a nice thermal and glided back to slide mt. Dad made a very low save and but didn't have the glide to make it back and landed at the boat launch at washoe lake.

Lake Tahoe was so clear and colorful today!!

I had a fun flight going back to the mountain then up to the end of the valley to the south back to slide got another good thermal back to 12k and to burn off the altitude I flew up the valley again and around washoe lake back to the LZ when I got there the valley was very smooth with zero sink and smooth 100fpm lift all over so I did some steep wing overs and a few spins then came into land. with a down wind pass I hit some lifting air and ended up landing way out in the field, that's what I get for showing off:-)

Mt Rose

The day turned out much better then anyone thought it was going to. Willy a new h2 pilot had the best flight of his life getting to just shy of 15,000ft. Him and Jeff were caught soaring late into the after noon! Great flight guys!!!

Now thats what Im talking about

2009-09-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

A goal for every one!

Nope not again, we got it

2009-09-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

No photos from to day as I left my camera In Ben's truck when we came back from big spring.

We have had bad luck at Palomino they year, but today Bruce,Steve,Dad,Mike,Paul were all going out to fly there. The wind has been blowing like stink every where else so they figured they would try there. I went along to give it a shot as well.

When we go there it was blowing cross and wind was very light. This site needs a bit of wind because its a 800ft hill so you kind of have to ridge soar till you find something to climb up in. I didn't even want to head up the hill, I didn't think it was going to be/get good. When we go to the top the wind was blowing in pretty and some nice looking dust devils were breaking off on the flats so we all set up in a hurry. Bruce was a gitty as a school girl it was his first flight after trying to fly here so many times before. I didn't think today was going to be good so I didn't fly with water or a camel back:-(

Bruce launched first got up pretty quickly. There were lots of high clouds and some nice cum's building. Steve launch just after and sunk out as every thing had shaded in. I waited a few mins and got off in a good cycle when the sun came back out, and climbed right up trying to catch Bruce he was super high (12.5k ft) when I started climbing good at 6.5k ft. Mike launched right after and got skunked. Buy the time I got to base Bruce was long gone. So I just flew around the valley going up almost into Spanish springs then back, I figured I should try to fly up wind back home not a long flight but tricky. There are a few mountain ranges you have to jump, but I got hammered trying to get across the valley so I just came back and did some wing overs getting pretty close to all the way over,I'm still getting comfortable with aerobatics since I tumbled a few months ago. I'm felling pretty good maybe do a few more Steep wing over's try to get back in the looping saddle:-)!!!

Paul sat on launch for an hour waiting for a good cycle he got off but no luck he had a sled ride.

I was wishing I had a radio and camel back as the last time I head from Bruce he could see burning man I'm sure he made it if not further, Bruce popping off a nice flight.

HEY nice rack

2009-08-25T17:57:00.001-07:00

So after a year of procrastination I have finally built a front rack for my truck. I felt super lazy as It took me a year to make a rack that took me two hours to build:-).

I did a few practice welds as I haven't welded in a few years. One I got the hang of it again I was ready to get to work.

building the bottom section of the rack

Photo by my dad

I built the rack in two pieces first the bottom piece and the attachment sleeve on the frame, I did this so I could off set the driver side tube so it was out of the vision. Then the top part of the rack.

VOILA

It took my about two or three hours total painted and all.

Big Spring wrap up

2009-08-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

one of the manny oil wells in Texas

I have been home for a few days now reflecting on the comp and thing on what I need&can improve on over the next month in preparation for santa cruz flats. C

Big Springs was a great comp we flew 7 out of 7 days with great conditions every day. Fun gaggle flying in the start hanging out at cloud base watching zippy and others diving out of the cloud doing some aero and diving back in and back up to base!

Racing hang gliders is a hole different ball game from flying at my home site. Its so hard because it seems one has to make the same mistake or a variation of that mistake 100 times before you learn and know when to shift gears, when you recover from that mistake buy not making it twice is a great felling.

Just being out there flying with the Top pilots for even just one thermal I learned a lot. I was lucky enough to fly with those guys one day for a fair bit on course one day, almost every thermal I would say why are leaving this climb..... OOH seeing why they were heading off. After a few days of watching and flying with so many great pilots, when I was left by my self I was making better decisions with out even realizing it.

The most important things I learned are

1. Stay calm and watch the terrain and the sky looking for any break/trigger such at power lines, radio antenna's, building clouds and clouds falling apart any thing that could let a thermal break off.

2. not turning so much I would sit in light broken lift watching a cloud forum debating weather I should stay or go. when I would go, the cloud would fall apart and I would be right back groveling. So paying attention to the clouds and getting it when the getting in good. Trying to find the best lift possible.

3. Not flying so fast just relaxing, I would find my self charging when I should of been flying at trim at VG, slowing down in a good line in lift instead of going faster through it.

In my mind the best thing to do is stay RELAXED and pay attention

1st Glen Volk- Moyes RS, 2. Zippy WW T2, 3rd Derek Turner Moyes S5

Congrats!

no surprise zippy is playing with his chicken:)

Still loads to learn and I cant wait for the next comp to learn more!

Big spring nationals day 5

2009-08-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up with a mean cold it felt like there was a vice on my head, nose all stuffed up just tired and felling weak.

I went down to the air port and set up thinking I wasn't going to fly.

They called the same dog leg task as yesterday with a extra leg back to the second turn point but latter took out the last leg so it ended up the same task as yesterday. Even though I was not feeling good I wanted to fly to redeam my self from my poor performance yesterday. But after some food I figured I would at least launch and see how some air time would make me feel. Right as I got in the air I started to fell better.

Conditions were about the same as yesterday, very weak in the start circle with tight gaggle flying made every one be on top of their game.

Ben Dun climbing

Ben and I teamed up and took the second start and had a good run all the way to the first turn point helping each other find the core of the thermal. After the first turn point Ben got a climb I missed. It took me a bit of groveling to get back up. finally got back to cloud base and caught ben half way to the first turn point. He stuck with a weak climb that turned on and got up to cloud base, I went to a cloud to the west and got up to base a few minutes later. Went tagged the turn point.

At this point I knew I had goal and all I need to do was stay high and play it safe. I got drilled on this glide but got a nice strong climb off a radio antenna went on glide. 18km from goal I found another good climb 1,000 fpm up took it up to 9,200ft, My flytec 6030 said I had goal on glide at 7,800 but I wanted to play it safe and I did came into goal at 2,000 ft over.

James S took a later start and came into goal just after Ben and just before me. It was sweet our hole team(Andrew didn't fly today) made it in we were all in high sprit's on the way home!!!

Happy to be in goal

I'm pretty pumped as this is my first goal in race to goal meet!!

Big spring nationals day 4

2009-08-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a tricky day. I was 4 to launch. We sat in in light lift in the start with a pretty big gaggle.

This is where I made the first of many mistakes of the day, the lead gaggle went off to the north I stayed off to the south waited for it to look better on course.

I left the start with Dave Gibson and Bill S. Bill lead out and we lost track of him Dave had a good run to about 20km from the first turn point. Dave went to the south I went to the north where there were pilots turning I meet up with Ben Dunn and Ricker.

Ben and I toped up and headed to the turn point,we had a pretty good glide to the turn point, grabbed the turn point and went on glide to a cloud. Ben got a good line had me by 500-700ft I came in and made some turns in broken lift Ben could work it. I landed 20km short of the 2 turn point ben landed soon after 10km short.

I broke down and sat to wait to be picked up. I cop picked up ben to give him a ride into town to get a drink The cop came and picked me up. He is a super cool guy and I'm glade he save us from sitting in the hot hot heat for two hours. he dropped Ben and I at 711 and we hung out till our driver got the other pilots and picked us up

waiting for our ride

About 10 people made it in.

Today they called a 175km task.

big spring nationals day 3

2009-08-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Day three they called a 168km down task. The sky looked great around noon and kept building.

James reported rain just to the east of course line. but we didn't worry because we were going to the west.

Waiting to launch

I was a bit late in launch line but it worked out great. I took the second start but left a few seconds to early so I was clocked for the first start, but didn't matter because the task was called.

I took the second start and was having a good run, best flying I have ever done. I caught the first gaggle that had jeff,ben,james and a few others.

Just as I caught the lead gaggle they went on glide. I climbed up a little bit more before going. Ben and james were 2-3km in front of me. At this point there was a gust front pretty close to our east. We were keeping an eye on this waiting for the task to be called.

When the task was called I came over a field with the Jeff's and ben in it started to get down. soon noticed that I was not going down was actually going up at 100fpm so I turned down wind and ran over a field 8km out of town and landed in a field with James S.

When I came in to land about 15ft off the deck the gust front hit I went from 20mph ground speed to having to pull on VG to not got backwards, I landed safe and waited for some help in the field. James,Ben,Andrew and I all landed safe. A guy that landed in the same field as We did flipped over but he was ok.

Every one land safe.

Derek T won the day he has rocked it wining 2 out of 3 days!

big spring nationals day 2

2009-08-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

Day 2 they called a 138km zig zag task to the south. I launched early and got up with the lead gaggel, ran with them for the first 50km. They dropped me off 20km from the second turnpoint. I was low and found a 100fpm that turned into a 800-900fpm to cloud base. From there I got a good run to the second turn point. I got to the turn point low at 4,500ft got a light climb to 7,000ft went on glide to a street of clouds but hit 800fpm sink all the way to the deck landing 18km from goal.

Today is another day with much lighter winds.

Big Spring Nationals Day 1

2009-08-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

They set a 101mile dog leg down wind. Not to much from me as I got low drifted way down wind of course line early, trying to get back on course bombed out 29k's from the first turn point.

looks good today

Big Spring Nationals Day 1-pratice day

2009-08-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

Arriving into Big Spring Texas

About a dozen or so pilots we out for a fly in the after noon to check gear and get current towing. All went well every one is ready for some good flying!

Setting up in the shade of the hanger

The town put on a welcome dinner with a live band and some gift basket giving. The town is excited to have us back.

Tomorrow is day 1 of the comp there are manny good pilots here so its going to be a good meet with good flying and some good partying as well.

Off to Texas

2009-08-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

Off to a nether comptition, this time in Big Spring Texas. I'm super exicted every one loves this place because of its great flying. Last year they did the longest task in competition history!

I drove down to LA tuesday, meet Ben Dunn(link to his blog) at kraigs place where we crashed picked up some parts and a glider. Wendsday Ben and I went for a fly at marshell, it was the best conditions I have ever flown there yet a bit on the windy side but we got to just shy of 7k and got to run down the range to the north a bit. After a nice hour and half flight we packed up and drove down to Glen's house where we picked up his glider and crashed at his place.

Thursday we went to mission cafe(Jamie turned us on to it when I was down there for the Torrey Pines air games) the best pancakes ever after that we were on the road.

pretty cool shot, yea were rebels all right

After a few boarder patrol check points and a certain brit who doesn't have his passport with him we have made it to Loardberg New Mexico at the motel 10, we were going to stay at the super 8 but the number speak for them self and since there was no motel 11. The 10 has to be better right? it was at least cheaper!

Boarder check point

We will finish our drive to big spring tomorrow. The land scape here is pretty amazing lots of mountains with huge boulders, cool looking cactus makes for a nice drive.

Stay tuned for the up's, downs, round and rounds of the next week of competition flying!!

looks good you go first

2009-07-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

Sean, Jim and Jim's wife are on a road trip from Pennsylvania and wanted to fly slide. Jim flew here about 7 year's ago so they both need a site into.

Jim climbing

Paul, Dad and I meet them up at launch I set up and launched right away Sean and Jim Launched right after.

It was very inverted and punchy but we all got up I flew around for a bit but went out to land. Jim landed right behind me. Sean had a great flight he flew for a nether 45min or so and had a hard time getting down it took him a nether 30min to get down to land. Both were happy they got to see lake Tahoe. I'm glad they got a good fly in on their way through.

and a self portrait

Stop Drop and Roll

2009-07-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

This is from my front yard

Yesterday A guy towing a trailer had a blow out few sparks started a fire, now almost 24 hours later I heard on the news its burned 10,00 acres so far. Just got news that we could be evacuated tomorrow if the wind shifts.

This photo is taken down the street 100ft from the house

I have gathered up all our important stuff(mainly hang gliders:) ) and dad's stuff as he is back in the hospital for his second back surgery in 9 weeks.

Heidi just hangout

Chelan Lessons

2009-07-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Chelan is a great site and the classic is a great meet for all levels of pilots. It was my first competition last year very relaxed and lots of LZ. I'm not sure why more people don't come out out fly this great place. lots of stuff to do on day you don't fly, we went out and rented jet skis! There is great biking, hiking and loads of stuff to do. Its so family friendly with Chelan being a resort town. Hope to see more new people next year maybe some more comp pilots.

you can do huge triangles coming back landing is a sweet nice grass soccer field kick off you shoes and go jump in the columbia river for a swim to cool off. I love that place and and cant wait do go back next year.

I had a lot of fun this year felling like I was flying pretty good. I got to put to practice the things I learned In florida. Following lift even if it's off course line, it proved to be true. Its not a race to goal format but I was catching people flying the same course so it seemed to work. I was also getting better at timing when to leave and reading clouds and cycles of lift.

I'm super pumped and can't wait to got texas in three weeks and learn some more,and use what I have learned.

Stay tuned!

Chelan last day

2009-07-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last day of the classic is why we go up there to fly Light winds good cloud streets lots of strong smooth lift.

I was second off launch, I had worst launch of my life, There were dust devils at launch but light cycles blowing through launch. when a dusty was on launch it would blow down. Darren launched first. I stood there for a few minutes till I saw the bushes down low moving, I picked up my glider and launched I had a strong run all the way down launch the glider started to pick me up so I pulled picked up my feet put them i the bag secounds latter my chest was in the bushes I pulled the bar to gain air speed as I felt my self in the sage brush. I finally felt the glider pulling my away from the hill.

My heart was beating so hard I could fell the blood pumping through my body. right off launch I got a strong 1k fpm climb to cloud base at 9k ft. when I got to base I was still shaking with adrenaline and fear thanking I didn't push out and got off the hill.

The launch is a pretty flat slope, people said that is was a combination of my nose a little high but not bad very acceptable and a dusty that popped off on top of launch right as I started to launch causing a down wind launch. I just have to make sure I don't do that again next time I might no be so lucky.

The rest of the flight went great easy glide across the valley and strong climbs getting to 10,700ft and they kept going but it was super cooled so I would leave just shy of 11k ft.

Because I was so far behind in points from doing so bad the first two days even with a few good days after. I dicided to have a fun flight and pratice racing and so I could land at he soccer field where there was a bbq latter that day. so I did farmers,mainsfield, junkyard LZ and landed at the soccer field. It was a fun flight and I felt like I was going very fast. there was a nether pilot how just started flying xc he launched right after me and flew a short out and return of 20miles and I got back the same time as him so I felt like I was going flew very fast and Had a very fun flight.

came over the LZ with 2,000ft of height to burn I did a few flat spins and some steep wing over's.

I came in 14th place pretty bad but I had a lot of fun and felt like I was flying better for sure. I was making good decisions. Just bad timing I was late to launch almost every day so when I was out of corse the conditions would shut down or OD. I was catching pilots that launched an hour some times more so I was doing something right!

chelan day 5

2009-07-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

I was very happy to see the scores yesterday as I got 3rd for the day and that moved me up pretty far on the score sheet as I haven't done very well that wast few days

The score sheet is weird look to the "T" class and those are the scores for the topless class

yesterday's scores

Over all scores

To day I got a nether late start I was one of the first to gear up but buy the time I was ready the life formed so fast I was close to the back. Brian Foster and Chris Valley were behind me. Foina and Christen were in front of us. After about 45 minutes of no one launching and the line not moving Foina and Christen got out of line we moved up. I waited for about a nether 30 minutes and the line didnt move a inch so I got out of line Chris and Brian followed. I took off my harness and tied down my glider walked around helping people hold down their gliders as there were loads of dust devil's coming up the hill.

I was happy to be out of my harness because I bolt in and cannot un hook if a dusty comes up the hill right at me.

Durning pilots meeting I look over and see chico a Brazilian Pilot I meet In florida, he is in town picking up gliders from north wing. Its cool meeting people from all over the world and running into them randomly!

About 15 minutes of no one launching a few guys got off the "between the rocks" launch. Brian and I noticed that it was blowing right up the "green monster" launch so Brian, Chris and I geared up and walked down to find perfect launch cycles Brian was first off with me right be behind him and Chris a minute of two after me. I got a small bubble of lift and climbed slowly.

After a few minutes the whole mountain turned on we all climbed out in 1,200-1,600 fpm I was the first to top out at 9k and cross the valley. I got to the flats with a few thousand feet and found a 1k fpm to 9.5k and went on glide to withrow turn point, the conditions were so good I just kept going to the 17h220 turnpoint doing 60mph glides with 1k climbs to 9-10k.

I got stuck a the turn point but make it out after a 10 minutes of scratching. Dove into a nice big dusty and was joined by again two sail planes and Steve G. Got a fast climb to 9k ft and went to the sims turn point where I would make the major mistake of the day.

I got to the turn point hight about 7k ft and found a ok climb, I watched Steve come in low and dive for a dusty but I didnt want to leave my broken lift thinking it was going to get better for life that I might miss. I kept working my broken lift and watched him climb out fast by this point I didn't think I could make it to this climb.

The lift I was in died out and I more or less glided to the Field I landed in. I circled in light lift for as long as I could trying to get out but it just wasn't working. Brian Foster landed with me 20 or so minutes later.

It is so cool flying here with sail planes every day, even on a days you land short you still are having good flights and flying in different conditions.

I need to learn to shift gears and slow down when I still have time before its to late.

Tomorrow is the last day of the comp and conditions look very good!

Its late and I'm very tired.

Chelan day 4

2009-07-08T20:27:00.001-07:00

launch line there is about 15-20 glider in front of me just cant see them

To day we woke up to nice cumulus building all over with light wind(lighter that it was been) west at 10mph. I was pumped and ready to do some making up for the first day of bombing out and yesterday of getting out to late and landing safely but not very far.

We got up to launch early and set up every thing was still looking good and I had a felling to day was going to be a good day. I got every thing together did a quick top of charge on my radio and get ready to go. I was a little late in launch line last off the hill out of our crew.

I waited through a few ok launch cycles and felt a good one come up and launched right it into it and climbed right out to the top of the stack. There were a few gliders higher but they were more down wind and heading back to us.

This is a photo form to day a cloud base. It reminded me of Lucas's video contest about perfection( there is a link to his blog on the right side check it out and vote for his video). This is perfection in my book:)

I got to 5800ft at the butte and was about to get on the radio and say I was leaving when some one(not sure who) got on and said they were leaving the rest of the crew say there were going to cross(every one was above me) I took off as well. I got a good line across the river and arrived higher that every one else dove right into some dustie's and 1k fpm climb to 8k I heard almost every one in our crew land except Steve who was climbing as well. I toped out and went on glide, from here it was easy and fast I caught a few rigid pilots and passed them up easy then two flex wing pilots, right over mansfield I caught a rigid(I think it was larry) and Mark glided with them got a nether good climb took that to 9.5k(cloud base). Right as I got to cloud base two sail planes came in under me they were so close I could see into their cockpit! I was so worried about getting the pic I went into the wispy's of the cloud! It was really cool. Got the camera put away and went on glide, I got snowed on for a few minutes while running under the end of this street!

He looks far way but It was a lot closer! I love flying with different types of power less aircraft.

On glide to tag the turn point I noticed that that area was getting pretty shaded so I picked up the pace trying to say in the good rhythm I had going. I tagged the turn point and It was all shaded in. At this point I was getting pretty low and some ham natzi's come on the radio and started to chatter about how they were going to bring up the FCC and we were all going to pay 10,000$ fines even thou were were all using our call sings. I talked to them a little and tried to tell them what was going on but they didn't want to talk so I just gave up and stared to focus on getting up. I found a few light climbs, as I was watching people come in low to the turn point and most landing some scratching I lost track of them but they landed on their way back to mansfield. Fiona, steve and I were working some light broke lift. Steve ended up loosing the life and started to run back. fiona and I worked together for a bit I took a chance and dove to a good looking cloud that took me back up to a little of 6,000 FT around there I stared to get rained on and left decided to take off. I looked up and saw a glider super high come smoking past me at 8-9k FT. I lost track of Fiona at this point she ended up landing near where we parted ways.

I got hammered on this glided as I was still getting rained on. finaly got out of the rain and was low about 3k. I got a light climb 2-4fpm to 4,500FT.

I flew the next 15k's or so at 4,500ft in the shade scratching in any bit of lift I could get no sun light with in miles of where I was. I landed a few K's shout of the turn point.

I fell Like I flew great to day and made up some much needed points! We'll see tomorrow when we get a look at the results.

Chelan day 3

2009-07-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

Day three was a hard day. when we got on launch the wind was blowing pretty good and there were some nasty looking clouds. After about an hour on lunch it started looking really good still very windy out of the west south west. I was pretty worried about launch conditions but every one got off launch ok some broke down worried about the bail out being ruff.

That turned out to be a valid concern. There were two totaled gliders one was a rigid wing that hit a tree and broke his right (I think) wing a stealth that also hit a tree and broke both leading edges. Joe had a ruff landing and bent some parts, but we got parts coming next day air so he should be flying day after tomorrow. Many others had bad landings few others landed/hit trees on landing but no damage to their glider. All the pilots were ok maybe some sore ego's but that's all.

Doug telling Chris "yea there's great lift under those clouds"

I was a bit late in launch line to day but right off launch I got a good climb and climbed up through about 15 pilots up to Steve gratten. This is where I made the biggest mistake of the day we got up to 6k and toped I got on the radio and asked if he wanted to go he said he wanted to wait a half hour thinking it was going to get good. It didn't we just got very low and scrached a few people got up and went out to the rim and most landed in the soccer field lz.

I kept working broken blown apart lift. After 2 hours of scratching I got tired and said I'm either going to take the risk and get up at the rim or land a the soccer field. I went over tot he rim and met a few other pilots who I thought were long gone so I figured I was doing pretty good. The other two pilots Marty and Fonia found a climb that I was too low to get to and got up and away. I found some light lift and stuck with as Arron came in over me and found the core and got up, I fell out of the bottom. Felling a bit hope less seeing 3 other people climbing out leaving me stuck and very low at this point, I kept telling my self ok one more turn and I have to go land or I will not make it across the rive to the LZ, I found a good climb that got me up to about 6k and I left the valley.

Looking over the back of the Butte Launch towards lake Chelan (the lake is 55mi long!)

I was relieved to see so many pilots that had left well be four I did on the ground it made me fell like it wasn't doing so bad. I toped out and at 6k went on glide down wind towards the mansfield turnpoint. half way there I meet up with arron how had climbed up 15 mins before I did and we got a strong climb to again just under 6k, arron left early because it was so ruff. There had been a huge cloud cell just to the north of us all day but it looked like it was gaining momentum towards us.

When I got to the turn point It was very windy but I got a ok climb made a few circles in it and diced I needed to land before The bad weather got to me so I started to head back the to points multiplier bump in the road, about half way there I hit huge sink and a even stronger head wind so I turned around and landed in the same field as Arron.

It was so windy on the ground I just landed with my hands on the bast tube and ran the glider over the were I broke the glider down. Was greeted by a local guy with a post flight beer( Thanks) broke down very quickly as all the clouds around us had started to rain and the wind was picking up. So I was happy with my decision to land, maybe I could of gone further and been ok but I also could of been cough in a gust front with no one around and a dead radio(it died about an hour into my flight) so a good call live to fly a nether day!

I should of got off early to day and left when I was hight the first time instead of waiting. the conditions were good all the people that had good flight's left early. Other than that I fell like I flew pretty good I was climbing very well out climbing many other pilots so just need to work and making quick decision's and going with it.

The rest of the week look really good winds getting lighter as the week goes on and lift getting better stay tuned!

Chelan day 2

2009-07-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

We showed up to launch about 10 am to a strong west wind that was forecasted to get stronger.It was blowing 10mph gusting 21mph with huge towering cumu's that looked like they were ready to exploed at any moment about 20 miles away on both side's of us. So we stood around hoping that the day was going to get called as the life forecast didn't look good ether.

45 minutes later darren the meet director shows up and walks past Burce and I and says yea we're going to call it. I know I was relieved, when its west here it is pretty hard to get up and out. Or that's how it was last year I have heard mixed reviews from the locals.

With a day to burn Joe J, Susan, Steve G, Van and I went into town and rented some jet skis! The water was a bit choppy but it was still loads of fun. We only rented 2 jet skis that fit 3 people. steve and I were on one and Van, Joe J, and Susan were on a nether but latter they droped two of and took turns riding solo. Steve and I took turns driving and one would sit on the far back seat more or less seeing how long we could hold on. We would drive as fast as we could crank the wheel. After about an hour of gettting our butt's kicked we went back and returned the jet ski's in one pice.

When we got back to camp all of us crashed out and took a much needed nap.

When we woke up it was 5pm Bruce said he was going over to our good friend Greg's house for a bbq dinner. So we all went to the store got a bunch of food and headed over. It was fun we all helped cook telling jokes and drinking, Joe J maned the grill has he is the grill master

Greg is a super cool guy loads of fun to sit and share good stories and good food.

photo taken with my iphone

Tomorrow is looking pretty good, sunny light winds from the west south west lift might be a bit broken at butte but once you get up and over the the flats it should be pretty.

conditions should be improving for the rest of the week:)