SAFA Skysailor Magazine

11 March | April 2021 SKY SAILOR 1. Move from one valley to the next regardless of whether I knew what it was called, skirting ridges for lift, and 2. ALWAYS keep a safe landing in sight. After moving past the Buckland valley, I started to get into the rhythm: Search for lift, ride the core, glide, search, repeat. A few times I accepted the inevitability of landing, only to bump into a much needed and much appreciated thermal and do it all again. This altitude yoyo was exhila- rating, and I oscillated my way down the Ovens valley and made a decision to head north to the Kiewa valley, hugging the eastern pine filled ridges of Happy valley. All the while I was making constant calcu- lations of the sun, cloud and wind direction and hedging my bets on where the best lift was. Time and time again I felt that lovely pitch as my glider sliced into a thermal, promising lift and more airtime. Once in the Kiewa valley, I continued to zig-zag my way towards Mount Beauty. When I got there I was faced with a choice: Fly back to Tawonga South and land at my friend’s house where I was staying the night, or try and cross the gap. At this point I’d been in the air for five hours, without food, water or additional sunscreen (remember, I thought this was going to be a sleddie) and in need of the loo. So I humbly turned tail and headed back to Tawonga South, landing two kilometres from my friend’s place. Once on the ground, a few things hit me: firstly, this was the best Christmas I’ve ever had; secondly, I want to do this every Christmas. In the end I flew a free distance of 69.4km, and although I was exhausted, I was overwhelmed with gratitude (I would have cried with joy, but I was far too dehydrated!). Later, one of the more experienced pilots said it was ‘an easy day’, but even the world’s biggest Grinch can’t ruin my amazing accidental, Christmas cross-country. Opposite page: Tina on launch Photo: Kaz Waller Below: Over Tawonga In the Kiewa valley facing west Photo: Tina Thorburn