Hard day at the office - Day 4 Dust Devil 2005 - South African National Championships

Our intrepid reporter reports:
Another interesting day yesterday with the 2 hr. assigned area tasks
for all classes. It was planned that the Club class launch first, but
then on the grid it was decided that Open class should be launched
first. The first take-off was only at 12.45 with their gate opening at
13.23.
The sky was repeating the previous day with showers and overdevelopment
in several places, so most of the open class were soon announcing their
starts and getting out on track.
The club class were launched, but opening of their gate was delayed
because of a possible towrope break - as it turned out there was a
malfunctioning glider hook, so once this was established the gate was
opened.
By the time the 15m. class were all launched, the 2nd sector was not
looking at all good - all very dark and rainy and not a good place to
be going with a glider!
By the time all the gliders had departed, the first of the open and
club classes were calling over Peilkop en route for the field. Not all
had flown 2 hrs. but for the most part had managed to get into the 2nd
sector.
Most pilots went quite far into the 1st sector and returned to take
only a few km. into the 2nd.
Unfortunately a good number of the 15m. class pilots had to outland, as
well as 3 from the club class. Phil Jeffrey had a much longer flight
as he flew away from the storm when he knew he couldn't make it back to
the field, and only landed back at the airfield after 6 p.m. There was
some rain at the airfield and elsewhere, so the ground is defintely
looking damper than when we first arrived in Bloemfontein.

....for more and scores and galleries see http://www.sssa.org.za

ps Ron (ZA) are you getting these?