Psychology to Stay in the Race.

The world championships just wrapped up. Two gliders (JS-3) were air-freighted and had just started test flights 1 month before the start of the contest. Their social media buzz was strong and got a lot of people wondering how much better it was going to be. Five (Ventus 3) were brand new and had not really been raced yet. Three wings (EB-29R) were flying in open class and only had their first test flight 8 months earlier. A lot of hopeful champions and a lot of pilots just happy to have the honor to represent their country.

Can you win before even stepping foot on the airport? No, but you can lose. You could worry about the gliders mentioned above and resign to the fact you won't win because their equipment is better. The sailplane could be a few % better, but the pilot making a bad decision can cost a lot more then a few %.

"If you make the ship 1% better, you fly 5% better" Klaus Holighaus' statement on tweaking.

In the US the open class moved to 850kg on par with the rest of the world, that 1st year I won in my Nimbus 3 at a limit of 750kg. I even put bug-wipers on to help, however, I had to be careful washing the glider because the chamois would remove gelcoat. The bug-wipers were mostly for show and the psychological effect, it was buggy, but most the gelcoat was flaking off anyway.

It is crucial that you fly your best and learn as much as you can on each flight. Bounce back quickly and stay focused on why you are there. There is a score sheet so we are there to win and we are racing the other pilots. Improving your performance is key.

If you are having a broken thermal day, probably everyone else is too. I remember I asked all of the pilots at Montague after a particularly frustrating day if they thought the thermals were, broken, hard to center, lying clouds...Everyone else had the same challenges for the day. This is hard to imagine while in the cockpit.

We have talked about gear shifting and getting back into racing but I am thinking about the psychology of racing. More about being ready the next day. Not just gear shifting once up again. But actually keeping your head in the race.

After a dismal day, it is easy to lose hope and not do well. I have seen pilots go home, I have seen others continue to race to learn and have a better overall result at the next contest. Gary Ittner is known for his comeback after a land-out, like winning multiple straight days afterward is not uncommon.

I have seen many times the local hotshot show up at the nationals ready to show everyone how it's done...only to stop racing after their first defeat. Not all of us are Sean and win our 1st contest. I placed top 10 my first contest, 7th actually, out of 7... One guy even took a day off from flying and still beat me.

 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.