Taupo, 27 October – 3 November 2007
Report and photographs Ross Gaddes
Central Plateau Contest
As the first competition of the season approached those of us
run between landout areas made sense as I crossed Kiangaroa
intending to attend were keen but a little apprehensive. This early
and Murupara into the higher country in the Rangataiki Plains.
in the season can be dicey and this particular season (in Auck-
Most got around the tasks in the fast class, but none in Club, but
land at least) has been slow to start. However a good high system
all had a great time and reports of 10kt thermals and 7000ft bases
started to move onto the North Island at just the right time and
were common. Geoff Gaddes managed his second ever outland-
unbelievably the first day dawned sunny and many smiling pilots
ing (in about as many xc flights) at Rewewhakaatu with Hadleigh
were to be seen at the field.
Bognuda there to keep him company. Peter Ryan 170km (XD) won
The usual safety briefings and introductions to the officials
Club and Stu Cameron 341km(KZ) won the Fast class.
were held and soon we were on our way. At the final count we had
The next day still looked at least as good and Roland was on
six in Club Class and thirteen in the Fast Class. This event is suited
a roll — 201 Start A - 159 Old Taup - 192 Matamata - 153 Pureora - 301
to those entering their first competition so those attending made a
Finish N Task length: 183.3km/318.0km
good mix of experience levels. It is really great to see young (and
I wish I felt as good about this day as some, I crapped out
some not so young) keen pilots chatting and gaining knowledge
at Arohena coming back from Matamata and trying to cross a
from such experienced pilots as Ian Finlayson, Trev Terry and Tony
very blue gap. The only thing to give me comfort was the drone of
Timmermans who are only too willing to give pointers to those with
Trev’s engine starting directly above as I watched Stu land a kilo-
much less knowledge. I have just listed the turnpoints so check
metre or so away. However those that scratched away or made
them out on the map and you’ll see we get to fly over some inter-
a more intelligent decision (Ian Fin) got around and had a great
esting countryside around here. Also notice the tasks had quite big
flight. Bhrent Guy (UY) won Club and that sly sea breeze specialist
circles to cope with the assortment of skill and glider performance
Ian Finlayson (ZO) collected the Fast prize.
and it seemed to work well, at least in this low key comp. On the 1st day Roland Van der Val our weatherman expected moderate to good soaring so the task was set as an AAT task — 202 Start B - 179 Kawerau - 154 Boyd A/S - 120 Te Awa C - 301 Finish N
Another fine day, are we spoilt or what! Roland was starting to grin — 201 Start A - 175 Waiohau - 120 Te Awa C - 153 Pureora - 301 Finish N Task length: 153.8km/393.8km
The trip to Waiohou in the west was not as good as conditions were on the earlier days but still really good soaring was had in fine
Task length: 202.2km/394.3km.
Once in the air it was apparent that this day was better than
sunny weather. The western side of Pureora had a great conver-
Roland’s forecast. Six knot’s before the start and about 7000' base
gence which I personally enjoyed immensely only turning back
was fairly easy to obtain. Also reports from Vaughn Ruddick in Zulu
after realising how hostile the countryside was underneath. Bhrent
One (who just visited for a few days) confirmed that conditions on
Guy in Club was the only to finish and so won his class and Ian Fin
task were booming.
narrowly beat Stu Cameron in Fast Class.
Anyone who has flown Taupo before will know that the area
The next day turned very blue and some went flying and had a
can be quite daunting, especially as this task takes pilots through
lot of fun. The rest of us took a break and did some touring, which
some scary landscapes and large forest areas. Trev’s advice to
is not so bad in a place such as Taupo.
Trevor Terry (who makes the contest happen) and other
Bhrent Guy shows off his perfect registration.
Stu Cameron prepares to fly.
Taupo members December 2007
31
