Make every Second Count
Just because you can’t see someone beating you by a second a mile, doesn’t mean that they are not doing it. You may have heard it before, but competition wins (or even battles with friends in the mid-field or on a weekend task) usually go to the pilot who makes the least amount of mistakes. Typically these people also have the skills and abilities to avoid major blunders, although even a minor mistake can be the difference between winning or not, between making that record or not, between staying airborne the longest for the day or not...
Seconds Add Up
I like to race, we all know it, but winning a major championship, regionals or local grand Prix weekend takes a lot more than just not making mistakes. Less than a few minutes is often the difference in being placed first or second, think about that, less than a few minutes over a week or two-week long competition which is typically 25hrs on task or over 2500km – amazing!
1-Second data logger interval
It was all those little seconds saved here and there while on task that counted, the efficiency of the cruise speed selection, even the log rate of your logger counts. The last one sounds crazy, but legendary G Dale of the UK learnt that if he had his logger on a 1-second rate, rather than the 4-second log rate that he had, then he would’ve been a bronze medalist at the 2010 Slovakian World Gliding Championships! Always look for the free points, the seconds per mile, they all add up – which is why I and many others go to such extreme lengths to tune our stock gliders that come from the factory.
Save a second in thermal departure
Another example, saving a second every thermal through accelerating out of it properly and being decisive in the departure 20 times a day. Ok, that’s only 20 seconds, but how long is the comp, 7 days? That’s 140 seconds – easy points, if you’re disciplined, try to be disciplined, it’ll show in its weight in gold!
Cockpit distractions cost seconds
Always look for ways to save these seconds, even talking on the radio can cost time. Sounds silly, but it uses up your concentration and this is what makes you go faster. I used to be a talker on the radio for social and fun reasons, but now I really try to limit it. If you must talk, do it while high with a free mind. Naturally, always use the radio when safety calls though. Why is talking on the radio or using an awkward pilot relief system a distraction? It’s because it takes away the feeling of the sky, those minor updrafts or gusts that we instinctively react to when in the zone, our aim is to extract maximum energy out of the sky. Maximising the cruise may save you a couple of hundred feet, 30 seconds less in another thermal perhaps, you know what that means over the course of a competition or day!
Know your Competitors ID
One final tip, it’s very handy to know every competition ID in the fleet. If you have the option to go to two different thermals, but you know that one of them is reliable with a great track record, I for sure know which one I’d be favoring to save time ????
Banner photo by Holger Weitzel, AUFWIND-LUFTBILDER.DE
Adam Woolley was born into the gliding world, being the 3rd generation in his family. Going solo at 15, his thirst for efficiency in soaring flight & quest for a world championship title to his name has never wavered. One big passion is sharing his experiences & joy with other glider pilots all around the world. Adam is an airline pilot in Japan on the B767 & spends his off time chasing summer around the globe. He has now won 7 national Championships & represented Australia at 5 WGC's & 1 EGC.