Big Spring - Day 7

David Glover took this photo of me waiting to launch with Kroop and Shapiro behind.

It's after midnight, so I'll be brief. I checked the scores tonight and obviously there was a problem with my track log again.

A 133 mile dogleg task was called. I had to get two tows to get up. Near the first start gate, there were a few of us gaggling up under a cloud at the edge of the circle. Dustin was keen to cover Glen, and when we saw Kraig and Glen take the start, we all followed. Dustin was out higher in the lead. Shapiro, Davis, and Derreck Turner were nearby.

It was a quick initial run under nice clouds. Slowly the field was thinning out. Rather than sit on top of us, Dustin was pressing out consistently. He and I parted ways for a bit, then re-united near the turnpoint. Glen was right below us.

After the turnpoint, conditions softened and we had to shift gears. There was a critical moment where Dustin made a poor decision. I stopped for 600fpm up. He chose to press on to a good looking cloud ahead. After one turn, Glen and Kraig came in at my level. I left them circling, and headed for Dustin, but Glen and Kraig would get the jump on me and Dustin. Dustin would get low and grovel alone for the rest of the way in. I would be a bit more conservative and stick with Glen for a while. Kraig would press out front and get low as well.

Eventually Glen and I too got low and had to work broken lift to gain enough for a final glide. Glen had me by a couple hundred feet, but I made an extra circle before heading out on glide. He was just in front.

I watched my numbers improve on the way in to goal, and 8km out, began to bring on the speed. At 5km out, I unzipped anticipating taking it down to the deck across the line. I was gaining on Glen and passing him underneath. I could see a rigid arriving at goal. I took it down to about 100ft. across the line, turned around and landed. Glen was just behind. Kraig came in a couple minutes later, then Davis, Dustin, John Hesch, and finally Shaprio.

Glen will likely move into first, but things should be tight between Glen, Dustin, and I. Spot landing contest in the morning and one more comp day. Glover says wer're averaging 118 miles per task. Amazing flying down here. I can't believe more people don't come down and set personal bests. There have been a lot of folks getting personal bests here. Airtime: 4:25. Flights: 2. Miles: 133.

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