FAI SGP USA Orlando Task 4 Report

Task 4 featured continued excellent soaring conditions here in sunny Florida (6 knots to 6k predicted at the start, higher later in the day). There was a small concern for high cirrus, so our CD John Godfrey throttled back the 400 km “Task A” to a more moderate “sprint” racing task of 270 km. The racing task was SW to Wauchulla, then E to Sebring, and then back N to the SGP southern steering turn and ultimately across the finish line directly overhead the Seminole Lake Gliderport. During the first leg, the gaggle stayed somewhat together but separated vertically via numerous available “lines” in the ample cumulus, wisps, etc. Once near Wauchulla (TP1) it became apparent that another large hole blocked Sebring (TP 2). The leaders (7T, 98, 711) tried to go direct by hitting small wisps in the blue, but XG deviated south (right) 30-40 degree and ran the stronger clouds along the edge of the hole. That deviation turned out to be the correct move. Once the leaders got around Sebring (20 km out in the blue), the hole continued for another 30 km. Fortunately, the lift was predictably strong upon re-connecting to the well-formed cumulus on the N edge of the Sebring hole. 7T found 6 knots (for 3500 ft to 7k) here and consolidated 2nd place. But, by this point, XG had a 15 km lead on the run N to the finish. M6 (Sergei Morozov, Canada) was in third place over the finish line but was slightly low (900 ft finish height) and that penalty (38 seconds) dropped him off the podium to 5th place. Jim Lee (1C) (fourth over the line) moved into third place to round out the podium.

Day 4 winners interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pbLNfxdNWw

Day 4 results: http://www.sgp.aero/usa2017/results-...ontestID=28476

To see the task details: click "show details" on the daily results page

Flight logs: Click view on right edge of pilot score, then IGC log tab

Overall results: http://www.sgp.aero/usa2017/results-sgp/results.aspx

FAI SGP USA Website: http://www.sgp.aero/usa2017.aspx

FAI SGP USA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/faisailplanegp

FAI SGP USA Flickr photos: http://www.sgp.aero/usa2017/race-cov...photos.aspx…

FAI SGP USA Facebook page: @FAISailplaneGrandPrixUSA