SAFA Skysailor Magazine

SKY SAILOR 33 July | August 2020 and support from crew and friends on the ground, I was able to persevere and eventually got up and away. I was determined that day and it paid off; after a three kilometre back track into headwind, I made it to my first goal along with two of my team mates! The third day of flying saw me have a weak link break after hitting a massive thermal at 650ft; I managed to get up to 3000ft, but was already on the edge of the start radius and half exhausted. My head was not 100% in it, and after travelling 17km I was preparing to land. A gust on landing had me struggling to keep myself from turning into a tree and get my round out and flare right. The glider nosed into the ground, resulting in two bent downtubes and a bump on my head – not the best day. I should have picked a better landing paddock, should have set up my approach better, should have flared harder and maybe should have gone back for a relaunch rather than fight to get up after my weak link break – too many regrets. For my next flight, I was just focused on having a good enjoyable time and a safe landing! After being one of the last to get away, I started slowly on task. I could hear my team mates ahead of me, but was just happy flying along, playing my game. Eventually, the calls came in: They were landing, and my determination kicked in. I crossed further than each of their last radios calls and was still going. I was not used to long flights and after 2.5 hours I was weary and kept giving myself little pep talks to keep on going. I landed at about 7:30pm after 3.5 hours in the air and 84km – a new personal best! Next day it was straight to cloudbase above launch, and I decided to leave the group to head off alone on task. It was a push to get there as fast as I could and I scraped into goal with just enough time to set up my landing. Switching winds and a weak flare had me break yet another downtube, a bitter sweet moment in goal. Even though I pushed and raced as fast as I could, I was not able to beat the Gecko to goal that day. The final day was the hardest. It had been over a week of flying. I was both mentally and physically drained! After ending up off course with nothing but a big lake in front of me – all I wanted was to be on the ground, I was done. Forbes taught me many things that have significantly helped improve and shape me as a pilot. I am grateful to the other pilots, support crew, tug pilots and organisers who all offered me support, advice and helped make my Forbes Flatlands experience amazing. Whether you are a new pilot, like myself, just getting into the sport, or have been in the sport for years, Forbes is definitely an experience worth exploring. It is a fantastic opportunity to not only watch and learn from some of the best, but to challenge yourself while surrounded by a supportive and encouraging group of like- minded people. Forbes in 2019 Photo: Vicki Cain Right: Practice day – The skies above Forbes look very promising Far right: Made it into goal, just! Photos: Emma Martin