Austrian Arena

This Week was a full week of clients on a Zillertal XC course. Sunday was a nice warm up day for the guys.

Monday saw us on Melchboden, 2010m. I set a 60km cats craddle around the Zillertal. First we pushed 4km north to Krystral Hutte. Then it was back with the guys following to SchneeKar Hutte. Just behind the Penken, after this we had a long glide back to launch.

Now only 3 pilots were with me and 2 were close behind. Pankaj and Martin were doing brilliantly. I pushed and had a lifting lift for around 1,5km going up at 2-3m/s I waited at krystal hutte for everyone for around 30mins. All this time the west wind was getting stronger. It looked like pushing to the exposed mouth of the valley would have to wait for another day.

Together we climbed on the Kupfnerberg (camel humps) near the mouth of the valley and I could feel the west drift for sure. I decided to cut the flight short and cross to the west facing side of the valley. From there we climbed and glided until we reached the Ahorn mountain. Pankaj and Martin made 42k and 45k respectively. I made it back to the bruggerstube to close the distance at 50km. Nice!!

The day after it was a pleasure to guide all 8 pilots, including 2 low airtimers out with us fro Zell am Ziller back home in Mayrhofen. Just giding down wind, soaring up from down low then pushing on in a huge group to the next into wind wall.

It was great fun and even better we were the only ones in the air

Would have looked cool from the ground.

Hopefully next week is looking good as we are owed some good weather for the disappointing May this season. I reckon June will be bangin’

KF

With a recent low slamming cold, wet air into the Northern Alps I decided to take my group to the Bassano del Grappa region. My get out of jail free card for when the weather gives me the finger.

Conditions were great down there with high bases and strong climbs. One local pilot flew over 200km on the wednesday. I had 7m/s climbs on the ridge but as Dave had gone down there was little incentive to push for big distances. Also it was pretty turbulent in places.

Foehn on the south side often brings unusual conditions to Bassano. High bases with the dried out air mass. North wind brings the lee effect. There were a few gliders in the trees as usual but no one was hurt.

The glider I saw the most there was the Mantra R10.2 comp weapon from Ozone, pilots from all over Europe training for the Europeans coming up next week.

Plus I also saw the guys from Nova testing the Mentor replacement, LTF 1-2 and 3 lines yes that’s right 3 lines. Good to see the development never stops. Looked nice, basic but maybe early protos. Not as stretched as I thought. Could even have been LTF 1 but I’m sure not.

Anyway we flew again today and Dave made it over to the war memorial in over-cast conditions and had a try out in flats after over an hours flying. When we left the warmth of the flat lands pilots were still at over 1000m above launch.

Bassano IS the most reliable site I know of. It’s a place to wear your glider out for sure, LOL
Weather is set to improve for next week. I have a group of motivated pilots from Holland, UK and Russia out.
KF