Clanwilliam!

The Marching Gauntlet saw eleven pilots answer the call to arms and it was largely thanks to the Blipmaps that the field headed off in the right direction (although a SWer there were significant cloud challenges on the Langeberge). But in the end an assigned area task was briefed (Quarry, Piekenierskloof & 135km north, Piketberg and home via Waaihoek). After the 09h00 briefing, Alan O’Regan was first to launch and acted as the wind dummy – holding launch as the first few passes on the Audensberg proved a little challenging even for a rock polisher.

But once the thermals started on the ridge (they were probably already going – this should read “once Alan finally found one”) the launching took place with two tugs thanks to the help of erstwhile tugmeister Paul Troskie and Rico Sutter.

Everyone was pleased to host Jenny & Douglas Bradley (who will represent South Africa at the Junior Worlds in Rieti in July) and help them gain some experience on the ridges. Jenny was flying with Martin in GOK and Rico had kindly offered Douglas a seat in the DG500 – well done, Martin and Rico, and best of luck to our Junior Team! Hopefully we will get a chance to fly with them some more before the travel to Rieti.


It was not really possible to get the maximum (6000ft) start height and most competitors left at between 5000 and 5500ft gliding through the difficult (in a SWer) areas of Audensberg and Brandwag to turn onto Waaihoek – which worked well after the first kilometer. The Witzenberg proved challenging - and Errol, Jacobus and William all chose to turn back south from this weak ridge.

But the rest made it north and crossed via the Saron North gap or the 24 rivers saddle to the front ridge at Porterville and North to Piekenierskloof where only 4 gliders (Alan, Mark, Adriaan and Peter) got sufficient height to jump back across the Citrusdal valley to the Cedarberg. The trip north through the Cedarberg was one of the most challenging as it was not working sufficiently to allow the normal ‘glide step’ motion through the ridges, and at one point Alan, Mark and Adriaan were down to 3800ft deep in the mountains – but the huge ridges provided a superb climb to nearly 6000ft, a jump to the back and a beautiful cruise to just south of Clanwilliam (abeam the dam).

Owing to time constraints, the 3 turned at 165km out (although there was sufficient westerly in the wind to allow the low run to Klawer) in order to have a chance at making it round Piketberg. But this was not to be – the front valley was completely dead off the ridges and it was not possible to cross to Piketberg – Alan nearly landing out after arriving very low back at the Porterville ridge, and making the best distance for the day (Day 3 Result and Overall).

All but Jacobus made it home – he had a lucky escape after overrunning into an unseen ditch at the end of his field in the lee of Kleinberg – and even that did not stop him being back in time for the evening social. Big thank-you to Wally for arranging the social and helping out behind the bar – the buzz in the bar has to be heard – it will give YOU a buzz!

So the Gauntleteers are home again, tired but happy – and looking forward to the another day of Gauntleteering. Why not join that happy throng of (slightly nuts) adventurous souls and see if you too can stretch your wings?

Can you handle it?