2017 9th Women’s WGC Czech Republic

Today we woke to perfectly clear skies and the hope of excellent soaring conditions.  We’d been briefed that the first launch would happen at 10:30, with gridding and the morning [...]

Good weather today (low cloud, then clear, then plenty of higher cumulus) and long tasks in all classes (over 300km for Club Class).  Not everyone got home, but the flying [...]

To no one’s great surprise, today was declared a rest day: no flying and no morning briefing.  After yesterday’s mass outlandings and International Night (which always takes a toll on [...]

Today’s important weather feature was a passing cold front that gave us early low cloud, then good lift and lots of northwest wind: gusts of 20 kts on the ground, [...]

Ominous weather signs were visible this morning, in the form of altocumulus clouds indicating excess moisture aloft, conducing toward thunderstorms.  The morning forecast confirmed this: we were told to expect [...]

The story starts with my arrival at PHL (Philadelphia airport), about 1:45 before my scheduled departure to LHR (London’s Heathrow airport).  Yes, I know international passengers are supposed to arrive [...]

Today’s major weather feature was cirrus clouds darkening the skies above Zbraslavice and adding much uncertainty to the prospects for motorless flight.  It was clear that we had a good [...]

Morning weather today was the same cold, low overcast of yesterday, making prospects for the first scheduled competition day look dubious.  The 10:00 pilot briefing was postponed to 11:15 and [...]

Sarah Arnold and I are here at the 9th Women’s World Gliding Championships in Zbraslavice, Czech Republic.  It’s Saturday evening, and we are just back from the Opening Ceremony.  Tomorrow [...]