Round 1, at Upavon four weekends ago, was scrubbed before it started due to a bad weather forecast. Round 2, at The Park 22nd/23rd May, was much better.
Saturday started as a hot, blue day that didn't appear to promise much in the way of cross-country weather. Nevertheless, tasks were set, a grid was formed, and sniffers were dispatched in search of any glimmer of lift. By about 2pm things were starting to happen, but as time was pressing on, tasks went to fallback. Pundits were tasked Gloucester O/R, Intermediates Nympsfield O/R, and Novices Badminton O/R, with all three tasks being through the Bath Gap. North Hill pilots were Pete (230)(Pundit), Andrew (Cirrus)(Intermediate) and Joe (JD7)(Novice). The grid was launched, climbs around The Park were reasonable, and so everyone streamed off on task into the great blue yonder. Conditions further from The Park were less promising, and many of the field either turned tail and ran for home or landed out before reaching their turnpoints. All three North Hill pilots flew back, and the final results show that only three pilots out of a field of 14 made any turnpoints at all, with Shalbourne's Intermediate and Mendip's Pundit landing at or just after their turnpoint. Only The Park's Pundit made it round the task and back home again, completing the task at 65kph in a time of 2:27. This meant that The Park were the clear winners for the Pundits, with Shalbourne's Intermediate and Wyvern's Novice taking their respective top spots. North Hill were 3rd in the Pundit class, 4th in Intermediate, and 5th in Novice.
Sunday produced much better soaring conditions, but the North Hill Team were unable to find anybody to fly as an Intermediate, putting us at an immediate disadvantage. Joe (JD7) was Novice once again, with Simon (SM) flying Pundit. Both pilots put in an absolutely fantastic effort. Joe was the only Novice to complete their task, winning the day in his class. Simon was one of three Pundit finishers, taking 2nd place behind The Park and ahead of Wyvern.
The Park really pressed their home advantage in this round, taking the overall round win and leading the League as a result. The Park are first with 30 points, Wyvern are second with 25 points, North Hill share third with Mendip on 20 points, with Shalbourne bringing up the rear with 16 points. We're going to need a big push and a full team from North Hill to overturn The Park's lead, but it's our home round next and I'm confident we can do it, let's just hope the weather holds for us!
Well done and thanks to all pilots and crews who took part.
