Valle

I learned a lot while in Valle since I was there during Monarca. Even though I didn't compete I did fly the course for 2 days. Because Josh Cohn organized the condo, I got to sit in on nightly meetings he had set-up for the Americans trying to make the world team. I guess there's an effort to improve American XC comp flying because he brought the German champion and UP pilot Oliver Rossel to coach. Cool guy and awesome pilot. I asked him one night, "How far's your longest flight?"
He replied, "You mean for myself?"
"Um . . . . yeah."
"Well, I don't remember. That was fifteen years ago."
"You mean you've only competed the last fifteen years???"
"Ya."

Now that's some fucking experience.

Listening to the nightly de-briefs of the day's flights raised my XC game a bunch. While my focus is on acro, I might pay more attention to comp flying next year. Especially with the M2 . . . . that wing is just sick. Amazing glide. I mean, I can count on one hand the times I pushed bar.

I remember on glide I had a guy on a Trango 2-3 and Ram Race harness next to me (I had my Acro 2 all week). I was amazed and simply stoked on how much I out-glided him. I can compete on that wing, man.

Since Oliver and I weren't competing, we had to fly after the window which wasn't until 12:45. (That's really late.) In the two times I flew the course, I may have gotten my longest flights ever - one about 60km and the other 55km with one of those into goal. (Well - because of the late start, I missed a turnpoint and rejoined the gaggle later on.)

On the last day, I flew my 6907 and got some practice. On several occasions, I flew in the gaggle over launch (not supposed to be flying in the "big" gaggles at all on the course). One of them was pretty big, no less than 70 pilots flying wide circles. I was so tempted to helico in the middle of it but the 3-4 pilots flying tight circles below me made it a tad dangerous. Sorry Eric B.!

I'm in Colombia now and will post an update soon. What I can say for now is - DAMN! - it's hard to get that 6907's stabilo to touch the ground!

This is the year

So the last time I blogged I was in Europe reflecting on how I didn't qualify for the Vertigo. Well, it's a new year and I've made some huge decisions.

The biggest one is that I'll be moving to Europe for the entire summer to compete in the acro circuit. The big event this year is the Mundials taking place in Norway this August.

To get back in form, this past weekend I did my first tow session of the year. I specifically worked on my left side helico, switch helico (twister), helico to SAT, and SAT to helico. While I was able to do many left helicos, 1 solid twister, and 1 solid SAT to helico, I found the helico to SAT a little more challenging. With my recent brakeline shortening (3-4 in. at least), I need to be more subtle and pull less on tricks. Plus, the shorter travel will get me ready for the FLX, which almost has no travel whatsoever.

I have 4 major yet simple goals for my acro flying for 2008:

1) Be the first American to do the Infinitron. (And everything else before it.)
2) Achieve a world-ranking in the first Cat2 event in June.
3) Compete in the Mundials and be the highest U.S. finisher.
4) Be the best acro pilot in the U.S.

To achieve all 4 goals will be very difficult but not unreachable. By March, I'll have the FLX which will allow me to do all the tricks and no excuses.

I'm f-ing going for it, man.

I'll be heading to Valle this week to get some XC flying during Monarca (not competing though) and, since I'm bringing the 6907 . . . . it's more acro practice!