Saturday practice at Hobbs NM

Hi Guys - I arrived in Hobbs Friday afternoon after driving 2,222 miles.
Since I've only flown the Antares once since the Seniors in March
(564km from Sterling MA up to Belvidere VT and return) I wanted to
get in a decent flight and knock some rust off.
Perhaps you will find this entertaining...

http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0...Id=-1474873387

Launched about 12:30, using the cross runway as the crosswind
on the ramp was 20 knots. Flying with the 18m (short) tips and full
water for a wing-loading of ~11.9 lbs/ft2, which is TOO LOW a
wing-loading for this glider in these conditions. Very rough low
so I shut down a bit higher than usual at around 1300 AGL in a
decent thermal.

First thermal showed as high as 13 knots on the averager, under
building cu way, way above me. I headed north when the thermal
dropped as low as 7 knots, following the clouds into the NW part
of our task area, turning Caprock at the edge of the cus (blue
and a bit smoky to the north). Followed the cus south, turned
Abandoned, then headed into wind under a street out to Maljamar.
Tried to be disciplined and circle in only 10 knots or better, though
I did slow up from 120 knot cruise when I could climb on course
at 5 knots or better. Headed to Lovington then SE to Mabee,
where I landed a decade back after seeing a tornado. Turned back
west and ran to Eunice and Railroad, then back east to Andrews.

Clouds appeared to be based around 18000-18500, though I
stopped at 17500 as required by racing rules (this did require
dumping the flaps and jamming the stick forward when the
altimeter was winding up like a clock). Last couple climbs
were a bit weaker, seemed like the day was winding down, so
I topped out before Andrews, a final-glided around the turn
from around 16000 for a fast run back to windy Hobbs.

Results from SN10: 452.6 miles at 100.3 mph.
All turnpoints achieved per MAT task rules (cylinder).
Antares Rules !

See ya, Dave "YO electric"

PS: Sunday looks too windy to fly, and I've knocked some
rust off. First race day Tuesday (Sunday and Monday are
official practice days).