Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 3: March 2014 | Page 41

able to place two pilots in goal each day were at the top of
the overall ranking. Racing was less important than survival
during the five tasks in Sopot.
A prime example of a poor result producing a learning
experience is my performance in Task 3. After blasting along
the 116km course for 80K, I found myself at the front of the
pack as the sky clouded over and conditions weakened. Half
of the gaggle was able to divert to a weak climb and survive

the shade cycle, while the other half scattered in search of lift
and landed. Adding insult to injury, I was able to pack up and
walk to the road just as the sun reappeared, and the surviving gaggle climbed out and continued to goal. Even though
this was a disappointing end to the day, a valuable lesson was
learned. In rapidly changing conditions, having the field in
front of you, with all of the information they can provide, can
be worth its weight in gold. I am still working on mastering

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