Rankings Shuffle

The standings at bedtime... (click the link and scroll to the bottom for the most recent task. It's likely not all pilots have reported in. Score subject to change in the morning.)

Dennis Pagen's team XXX takes the lead.

Kent Harman of the Knights in White Dacron is the only C Pilot (scored so far) that makes goal.

Rampanoia

XXX - the new leading team?
Keith Atkins covering launches. James Anderson and Buddy Cutts launch 'em all, as always.
Regional Red Bull executive with ambassador Clark Harlow

It's a beautiful day but lift is spotty, fickle and far between. Everyone who scores today will have worked hard for every point. One more hour until the launch window closes. But Jeff Wilson is finally here and his diagnostic butterbeans (known hereabouts as Launch Beans) are on the boil. So we expect at least one kind of wonderwind.

Launches were all videoed today, so we may get to watch and analyze them tonight. Dennis Pagen has volunteered to lead that discussion.

New scores and standings will post once all the teams have pinned in.

Day 4 Task 2

Cs: HENNW to GALWY 4.8
Bs: HENNW to GALWY to DALES 10.2
As: HENNW to GALWY to DALES to GALWY 15.6

GALWY:
35°20'16.57"N
85°25'0.16"W

launch window 12:30 - 6:00 E

Thermal direction: left turns

The WINDS >>> subside!

Day Cancelled - But Karaoke Night is Still On!

The Safety Committee observed discussed and agreed to cancel the day's task. Tomorrow's prognosis is good and it's likely there will be some free flying today. Should be ridge soarable. Clark's setting up for tandems and Mark Bolt appears about to launch. I'm sitting in the loft and the wind appears to be picking up again. Good call.

Day 3 Task 2 (proposed)

It's another windy day, direction somewhat favorable at Henson ramp, winds forecast slightly lower than yesterday. The task committee proposes sending the Cs to Dr Dales (8.3mi,) Bs to Dr Dales then Suck Creek water tower then back to Dr Dales (17.5mi total,) then the As for an additional leg to the water tower and back to Dr Dales (26.75mi total.)

The safety committee reconvenes at 1PM Eastern to consider the conditions at that time. The latest start will likely be 4PM, 'cause it's Karaoke night at Cancun in Chattanooga !!!! (7PM)

Dirt Thermalling

Ollie, Pagen and Stump get the gaggles giggling at the end of Monday's teaching day sessions, setting the mood for pizza night.

Corrected Scoring

The overall results have been amended. Leigh Sheridan had credited her team leader Ollie Gregory with an escort to goal assist. Ollie "protested" the assertion and asked the score be adjusted to show Leigh had actually made goal without his direct or substantial assistance.

The Os' team score was thus reduced by 25 points.

Huffing and Puffing: Straight In

So far, today the score's unchanged.

Some things can make it worth waiting out the winds on a beautiful day. Mike Barber and Dennis Pagen are just two of them. GPS school, Mark Stump's unforgettable safety speech and new and old friendships are priceless. No matter the weather, you can always score premium hang gliding, renewal of spirit and learning by quantum leaps at the Tennessee Tree Toppers' Team Challenge.

Show Overall Results...

Day One Team Ranking:

1: Aeria 51: 770
2: Knights in White Dacron: 765
3: Xplorers Xc Xceptional: 756
4: AerosNauts: 714
5: Os: 674
6: Tow Heads: 511
7: 4Fs: 503
8: Tree Topplers: 426

One Day to Go

There will be a mandatory pilots meeting tomorrow, Sunday morning the 27th at 9 AM CDT at the Henson Gap launch site.