5 minute read
A Less Experienced Pilot at the Southern Fun
Task 2 at the recent Southern Fun competition was flight #1452 for me. After all these flights and having flown in many competitions I finally made it to goal. Yeh!
This miracle started with getting 4 days off from work during the busiest time of the year. The early weather forecast wasn’t great but we ended up with three tasks at 3 different sites and 3 amazing flights. I had tons of fun. The second day of the comp went extremely well. I can’t still believe it I made it to goal.
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For the 59km task, the cloud base wasn’t too high and we had to do big crossings (one of them I have never managed to do before!). The first crossing I left End Peak lower than I wanted because of cloud base and I glided badly as usual! There were 5 of us scratching on arrival at Mid Pyramid. I don’t know how many times I have landed at Bike Glendhu but today was different.
A hawk came to say, “Hi” and guided me to a thermal. I followed it, it turned left so I turned left. I climbed with it then there I was! 7000ft, atop Roy’s Peak but there was another big crossing ahead. I have never managed to glide from Roy’s to Mt Maude but another miracle happened, I hit three good thermals on the way! It is normally a very difficult, long crossing but somehow it worked this time.
After that it was just easy. The sun was covered by clouds by the time I got to Mt Maude, but there was convergence as a southerly change pushed its way northward. No turning, just hover straight below this cloud. I even had to pull big ears! Then on the radio I heard from those that had landed: “Wind is coming, Don’t muck around!” as I was just about to muck around, and then, just like that, I was in goal.
I really have to say I was so lucky but if I can pick couple things that I did differently this flight it was: I used more speed bar and turned tighter for coring. In the last few weeks before the comp, three experienced pilots told me the same thing: “Use more bar and turn tighter”. I did.
I’m very lucky to have helpful people around me. Louis and Doug have been mentoring pretty much since I started flying and also big thanks to Mark and Nico for answering my endless questions.
People think I’m a paragliding addict. ‘Yep’, I am and I am not the only one. One of the reasons keeping us entertained is that it is a never ending learning process. Did you know that competition is the perfect place to learn? I will tell you why it is so good.
Paragliding is one of the very rare sports that you don’t need to be too good at flying to join competitions unless you really want to win. All you need is PG2 and motivation.
In the morning you will get weather briefings together. You don’t need to decide where to go because there is a task. You are not alone in the air. Sometimes 50+ pilots around you. You will get a lot of information during your flight by watching them. Let someone else find lift and just join them or let someone else get into a sink and you just avoid it. A pilot on your right is going up, a pilot on your left is going down. It is obvious which way you want to go. You just need to follow others but not chase them. A lot of Personal Best flight (PB’s) are made during competitions. There must be reasons for it.
After flying we often end up at the nearest pub from goal. You enjoy cold beer and it normally turns as debriefing because everyone talks about their flights. If you are PG2, want to learn, sign up for the Southern Fun Comp next year or any other competition. I’d like to see
By Sanae Noguchi
Left; Sanae arriving in goal
- Task 2 Photo; Louis Tapper
Right; Task 3 - Almost ready
Photo; Mal Haskins
more low airtime pilots next year. It’s so much fun. You will love it.
The third task had pretty tricky conditions for me. Take-off was stressful and difficult. Active flying was necessary. I didn’t make it to goal but am I disappointed? NO! I took off safely and landed safely. I flew with my friends in such a beautiful place. It’s so nice to see my usual flying friends out of our home site. The Orange Tonor, the Pink Alpina and Blue Epsilon, thanks for flying with me always.
For some people it is difficult to decide not to take off especially when a lot of people are in the air getting high and it looks like they’re having a great time but remember, if it is flyable but not enjoyable it’s not worth it. We must love it, have fun and most importantly be safe!
There were few of us who decided not to take off that day on Task 3. Good on you. You made the right decision!
I would like everyone to have this card in their mind. You can pull this card whenever you have any doubt about the conditions. It’s free, it doesn’t expire, you can use it as many times as you want and no terms and conditions apply. You will not get judged. Well even if you did who cares? When this card is pulled you will miss a flight but this card will guarantee you hundreds and thousands of amazing flights in the future. Let’s not rush, don’t compare to others, learn slow and keep flying.
Postscript from the comp director:
Sanae has been flying PG for 8 years. She finished second in the women’s category and also in the Fun Class. Sanae flies a High ‘B’ wing, the Nova Mentor 5 Light.
