Withdrawal Symptoms

Submitted by Tony on Sun, 16/05/2010 - 20:31

Competitions

If you are feeling the pangs of a lack of competition flying, here's the answer.

Simulated Competition Flying.

This is my first attempt at Simulated Task Setting.

Give it a go.

http://www.paraglidingearth.com/pgSimComp/start_task.php?task_id=564

Warning, this can waste a lot of time. do attempt this at home.

pgSim Competition Event - French North Alps Open

Submitted by Tony on Sat, 22/05/2010 - 22:17.

After 4 tasks in the French North Alps Open I am in 9th place. (Unless some-one who has yet to complete task 4 pips me)

Consistently reaching goal seems to be my strategy, although I have yet to finish in a competitive time.

Task 4 was particularly challenging, after reaching the first turnpoint I struggled to gain any reasonable altitude so decided to final glide for max points when about 10 metres off the ground I latched on to lift, what a save! (maybe a bit unrealistic, ya think?)

The terrain realism is quite good considering it is just Google Earth, the scenery is amazing, certainly makes me want to visit that part of the World sometime. In the meantime this is going to be the closest I get.

I have found it advantageous to look at the course in Google Earth beforehand to get the lie of the land, certainly helps prevent the chance of flying up a dead-end valley or miss judging height AGL. Also working out required altitudes for glides over flats etc helps.

Unfortunately or fortunately you are flying alone, no other gliders to help or hinder, no clouds or shadows or other telltales. But then no injuries, chucking reserves, hassles on launch, no sun-burn, and as you can see by this post no-one to share your exploits. (All say "oh how sad, never mind")

Here's the results so far: http://www.paraglidingearth.com/pgSimCompEvent/events.php?event=3