Easterlies can be rough!
The Cape Gauntleteers proved again on Saturday that they are intrepid - setting off on a 3 hour OLC-variant cross-country task in an Easterly. The grid of 5 was launched to Vic Peak and the gate opened at 13:04. And we were not prepared for what happened next.
Mark Siegelberg (TIM) had earlier scouted Vic Peak in the Lambada and found it to be working from as low as 2500ft and this was still the case when he arrived off tow at Vic Peak. He was soon followed by William (GIG) Whittaker and Peter (ID) Farrell. Craig (LW) Fussell and Cornelius (GOG) von der Heyden were not able to make the grid slots allocated and the gate was not held for their launch.
All headed off South to Villiersdorp with Cornelius and Mark leading the pack. But the ridge NW of Villiersdorp went a bit soft, and then softer still till it was solid sink. This was similar weather to the day on which Ed Verpraet and a Dutch visitor were caught out in GOK, and GOG almost carbon copied their experience. The ridge NW of Villiersdorp was in the lee of the Riviersonderend range and it was tough to get back north over the low pass.
Cornelius landed in very small field with long grass and could not avoid the almost inevitable ground loop - a good result given the situation. Mark headed across the valley to a good area of fields and was later retrieved from almost the centre of one by Hubert and Rob K (thanks guys!).
William Whittaker get the 'bleating sheep' award for the day despite having flown the second furthest on the day - as multiple people informed me that he had landed out - one even about to set off on retrieve - only to find out later that he had in fact made it back. Well done William - nothing like perseverance!
Craig (LW) Fussell flew conservatively into 3rd best distance, and all were eclipsed by Peter (ID) Farrell who exceeded 100km on task.
Unfortunately Peter was the only pilot to pass 80km on task, and hence it was not a valid competition day. Still, a LOT of gliding was done, and two gliders had to 'rough it'.
And we were especially honoured to have Lynneth Milne in the club house for the potjie and the dedication of the Cape Gauntlet trophy to Garth Milne.
Garth was such a living inspiration that you can learn and strive regardless of where you are in life, as aptly demonstrated by his winning the R&A Challenge and his land out between Piekeniers & Dasklip late last year. I am pleased to say that Lynneth has agreed to allow us to rename the Cape Gauntlet trophy the "Garth Milne Memorial Trophy", as he was in spirit & action a true Gauntleteer. And you can't say better than that.
Garth had gumption that great Gauntleteers need
His passion to glide an inspiration in deed
Cross-country he flew
And land outs he knew!
But now, with a laugh, his real wings are freed!
Go well, Garth, and now that you have real wings, don't laugh too hard at our earth-bound attempts to achieve airborne honours.
Mark Siegelberg (TIM) had earlier scouted Vic Peak in the Lambada and found it to be working from as low as 2500ft and this was still the case when he arrived off tow at Vic Peak. He was soon followed by William (GIG) Whittaker and Peter (ID) Farrell. Craig (LW) Fussell and Cornelius (GOG) von der Heyden were not able to make the grid slots allocated and the gate was not held for their launch.
All headed off South to Villiersdorp with Cornelius and Mark leading the pack. But the ridge NW of Villiersdorp went a bit soft, and then softer still till it was solid sink. This was similar weather to the day on which Ed Verpraet and a Dutch visitor were caught out in GOK, and GOG almost carbon copied their experience. The ridge NW of Villiersdorp was in the lee of the Riviersonderend range and it was tough to get back north over the low pass.
Cornelius landed in very small field with long grass and could not avoid the almost inevitable ground loop - a good result given the situation. Mark headed across the valley to a good area of fields and was later retrieved from almost the centre of one by Hubert and Rob K (thanks guys!).
William Whittaker get the 'bleating sheep' award for the day despite having flown the second furthest on the day - as multiple people informed me that he had landed out - one even about to set off on retrieve - only to find out later that he had in fact made it back. Well done William - nothing like perseverance!
Craig (LW) Fussell flew conservatively into 3rd best distance, and all were eclipsed by Peter (ID) Farrell who exceeded 100km on task.
Unfortunately Peter was the only pilot to pass 80km on task, and hence it was not a valid competition day. Still, a LOT of gliding was done, and two gliders had to 'rough it'.
And we were especially honoured to have Lynneth Milne in the club house for the potjie and the dedication of the Cape Gauntlet trophy to Garth Milne.
Garth was such a living inspiration that you can learn and strive regardless of where you are in life, as aptly demonstrated by his winning the R&A Challenge and his land out between Piekeniers & Dasklip late last year. I am pleased to say that Lynneth has agreed to allow us to rename the Cape Gauntlet trophy the "Garth Milne Memorial Trophy", as he was in spirit & action a true Gauntleteer. And you can't say better than that.
Garth had gumption that great Gauntleteers need
His passion to glide an inspiration in deed
Cross-country he flew
And land outs he knew!
But now, with a laugh, his real wings are freed!
Go well, Garth, and now that you have real wings, don't laugh too hard at our earth-bound attempts to achieve airborne honours.
posted by CGC Reporter at 12:36 PM
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