Make XC Speed Great Again
You got low (you probably made promises to anyone you could think of) and now finally have a weak climb. You switched to survival mode and only cared about climbing, no matter how slow. You haven't mentally recovered from that low point and you are still happy with that weak climb all the way back to the top of your working band.
You probably threw in the towel and are just thinking about getting home.
I passed one guy taking a .5knt climb on a 3knt day. Talking to him later he said he just wasn't thinking about racing until I passed him because he just had a low save.
This is not the way to win. As soon as you can move again and beat the current climb you MUST leave. I would recommend those promises you made earlier do not include saying you will climb all the way to cloudbase. Just say until I am high enough to move onto something better.
This also comes into play when flying through a weak area. When the thermals increase in strength and you need to shift gears appropriately. Imagine flying along for 2 hours in 2knt thermals, the next climb is 4knts. Was it a fluke or is the weather better? The next climb again is 4knts... You need to be flying faster now that the weather is better regardless of the last 2 hours. The faster pilot would have sped up and been at a more appropriate MC setting for the next expected thermal.
Remember while you are climbing keep looking on to find a better climb. Don't stay stuck in that climb.
It is very easy to stay with a weak climb if you do not shift gears. You must up-shift quickly as soon as you can.
It is too easy to stay mentally defeated and not get back in the race again. The top pilots are very good at shifting gears up and down.
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Gliding Made Easy Series is a library of volumes about gliding. Each treats an individual topic in depth. Clarity of writing makes them easy to read, and attractive design makes them pleasant to use and to own. Whether you are brand new to soaring or have flown for many years, you will find utility and value in these volumes.
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
