Day 4

Overkeen at attention: flying brilliantly for his experience, He'll go far in the next couple of years.

A day of two halves.

For the clubs, 15's and standards it was excellent. The 18's and Opens were scrubbed which seemed very harsh indeed. The launch was delayed to 1415hrs for the clubs and then a 10 minute break before the 15's and standards went. Launching at 1440 for a 356kms task felt a little daunting and the first climb off tow was naff. A risky glide out behind the Terminillo mountain paid off and I was able to climb up to where Leigh was waiting with Riccy Brigliadori. A brief wait and we were able to set off from 11,200' and glided 45 degrees left off track onto the Gran Sasso range to link with a booming cloudstreet. From that climb I had a 205km glide at 415:1 into the first turn and back to Castellucio at 175kph. Back up to 10,000' here and it was off to Gualdo Taldino and onto the ridges for a less marginal run through the soft and fluffy valley of fun and home. 356kms at 161kph is a personal best: yeehah!

Jay had a nightmare and finally landed at 2015hrs having manfully struggled home exploring hitherto unknown ridges in the valley of fun. Epic perseverance!


Dinner was takeaway pizza  for most of us, but the sophisticates (Dane and Coutts) opted for fine dining and went offsite for the extra large with fries. Classy.