The weather is difficult and so are the tasks. Experience in these conditions is proving very valuable. Many of the pilots here have 2000 hours in these types of conditions. My 1000 hours in much stronger Aussie conditions is not as useful as I would like. I realise that I still on a very big learning curve in relation to the weather, the tasks, the tactics, everything. It is a little overwhelming considering the amount of effort, training and money I have put into this comp.
I am amazed at how many of these pilots will never lead out of the gaggle and just tag along for the ride and are placed nicely in the mid-field overall. A tactic we hate to use at home, but legitimate here. I tell myself that they will never be world champion flying like that -- they may place higher than me this time but eventually after I have developed more European flying experience, I hope to have the knowledge to accompany my skills.