Day 6, AM Flight

Not your average weekend
task sheet..

 The five markers on the table at 20 minutes before briefing created quite a chatter amongst the competitors.  When a sixth was added 10 minutes later, then came the gasps.  When the gate opened teams saw the following six tasks: Land Run (pilot-declared center of a 3km circle), Judge Declared, Hesitation Waltz, Hesitation Waltz, Minimum Distance Double Drop, Hesitation Waltz. The Land Run declaration had to be made on a common north-south grid line, so it would have to be flown before any of the marker tasks, basically right after take off.  A common launch site was used, and all drops were by gravity except the Minimum Distance.  Although it didn't affect the American teams, the Event Director also require pilots to fly solo this flight.  Many international competitors fly larger balloons (77,000 cu. ft. or more) with a navigator on board.  Thus the test would truly be on the individual's ability to execute all aspects of the balloon's operation.  Because the awards aren't until tomorrow, unlimited area scoring (by logger) was available on all tasks except the Minimum Distance.

The winds weren't such that an outstanding Land Run result was possible, so pilots worked to obtain some variety of a triangle while not giving up the 5000 points that remained downstream.  Once they exited that circle a string of balloons lined up on the first set of common goals (Task 15).  Marker dropping ensued.  From there the pack held close to the the ground, looking for the left to take them to the next set of common targets (Task 16).  Few (if any) were able to obtain a marker-measured result, but logger scoring meant that holding the line was still worth it.  From there the pack tightened as the headed off to the next task.  "Rubbing is Racing" was the mantra, as they bumped their way west just feet over the corn.  Task 17 will see good results as those able to separate themselves from the congestion had the ability to tune an approach.  The Minimum Distance saw a few scores by the early arrivals, but majority of the pack was blown to the right.  The mass awarding of pool points could negate this Task 18.  Task 19 saw plenty of marker scoring, although not by all.  In between and at each task there were plenty of ground contacts, so penalty points could play into the outcome.

It's impossible to say how things will shake out.  Today will certainly see lots of standing around at the Competition Center waiting for scores to be posted.  An event debriefing at 1:30pm will add some activity to the day, but with no flights remaining teams have most of the day to "review" the events of the morning.

    

This morning got the event right-side-up: 10 morning tasks, 9 evening.  And it turns out that the re-hashing has already begun:

Hi Mrs. Petrehn!