Worlds, Day 6

First, my apologies for only posting once yesterday. After a long 3-task evening flight (which didn't go particularly well) we had to wait well over an hour for propane. By then everyone was ready for food and some sleep. Sorry, no action photos.

Another chilly 4-task flight this morning: PDG (3 possible goals), HWZ (2 possible goals), MXDD (with limited scoring) and an elbow. Tasks sheets, results, and other "official" details are on the event's website.

Paul said he did pretty well on the first 2 tasks (the photos below say Joe Zvada did as well).

(Photos courtesy of Larry Coan)

Shifting winds made getting to the MXDD difficult, but a very low level (under 200' AGL) box developed that allowed about 20 pilots to make low, slow, precise approaches.


Al Nels was the only member of Team USA to score on that task.


The final task, an elbow, had most balloons flying very low and slow over Kaindorf.


Although Paul wasn't able to make the field for the MXDD, he did achieve measured results on the first 2 tasks and was able to create a 180 degree (or very close to it) angle for the elbow. Hopefully that will move him up a little from his pre-flight position of 21st place.

While I don't have any ballooning photos to post from last night, I did get some shots of the highly-customized Team Zvada Racing recovery vehicle (despite Joe's brother Luke standing/sitting guard).


And here's some photos of our team managers (Andy Baird, John Gibbons, and Derrick Jones):

(Photos courtesy of Derrick Jones)

The weather is very nice right now, but the forecast has wind and rain moving in tomorrow morning. We'll be back out tonight for a 4:00pm briefing, and hopefully things will hold off long enough for another 4-5 part flight tomorrow morning.