Getting out to the grid, I discover I am on the front row – they switched the order of the classes. With only 10 mins to launch, I discover that I have a problem with no GPS signal to my Winpilot, then no power and a fuse gone.
Next I am being pushed off the side. We had a number of backup options of which none worked, except to use the Volkslogger and the always reliable M.A.P. This made for a verey high workload to avoid airspace – our track went through and close to quite a bit og airspace. Also no averager and no final glide – no too much of a problem. The worst problem was that a gear door stayed open and caused a huge noise. I found this interfered with centering.
With good climbs to 1700m I could push the glider along even with all the distractions and the first and second legs. Coming into the third turn, the conditions had changed with big distances between cumulus and lift only between 1000 and 1600m. I had to glide between thermals slowly to reach the next with enough height to keep in contact with the lift. After my last climb, I glid to a power station, reaching it at 600m and getting final glide.
-Trotts