August 20, 2024
A remarkable day today at WGC2024 – among the more notable in the long history of contests here. With a vast high- pressure system sitting almost on top of us, the forecast called for extreme temperatures – perhaps the highest of the year – and blue condition. Lift would start a bit late, reach good altitudes, and probably end early. Long tasks were set, but had to be modified as the sniffer was unable to reach safe altitudes until almost 2 pm.
We wound up with turn-area tasks: 4 hours for Open class and 3:45 for 18-M and 20-M. These looked much more possible than the morning choices, but with task-opening times ranging from shortly before 3pm (Open class) to 3:38 (18-Meter), it was clear that pilots hoping to finish would need to stay airborne well past 7pm, which several weather models regarded as most unlikely (conventional wisdom here includes “Be on final glider by 6:30”).
Pilots set off promptly once tasks were opened. (“Start gate roulette” – pilots endlessly delaying in hopes of starting just after their rivals – is less popular on days when finishing is in doubt). Conditions remained blue, but lift developed well, with moderately strong thermals to good altitudes (in the hill country north of Uvalde, a few climbs to almost 10,000’ were seen).
Yett without cumulus clouds, progress was notably slower than on previous days, and it became clear that in all classes the chance of many pilots finishing was questionable. Shadow from a band of cirrus clouds increased the uncertainty. But the predicted early end of lift didn’t happen, and around 7:15pm finishers began arriving. Improbably, they persisted until 7:40, just 20 minutes before declared contest sunset time (when – for scoring purposes – gliders turn into pumpkins). In all 54 of 65 pilots completed their task; of those, ten earned penalties for finishing below the declared minimum altitude.
20-Meter class had the toughest time, with 6 non-finishers. Their final leg was 80 km and mostly shaded by high cirrus – no lift available for the final 60 km. But they had a useful tailwind, and those who took care to climb in weak lift while this was still possible got home. Among them was glider L, earning Sarah and Karl another strong second-place score, which puts them in first overall.
Task-setter Mark Huffstutler must feel pleased at having chosen tasks that really were at the limit of what the world’s best pilots & gliders could accomplish. I suspect he’d admit it wasn’t entirely due to skill and experience – but he has a lot of both, and is the right man for this difficult job.
John Good