Tactics, Risk & Racing at the 20m Nationals
I'm at the Australian 20m nationals at the moment, and the competition is really heating up. We've adjusted the handicaps & the Duo-Discus & DG1000s are really giving us new flapped machines a run for our money, so to speak! So far the weather has given us all blue conditions to approx 5000'. Like all competitions, I'll have to be smart to end up on the top step!
You've probably heard it over & over again, but typically you win the flight at the start line. This is where experience comes into play, your pre-flight preparation, your willingness to change the plan, the confidence in your own abilities & your knowledge of your competitors. Naturally, this list could go on!
After you've made your decision to start a task, whether it be at a competition or just weekend cross-country, all you can do is what is best for yourself, right here, right now. I've fallen ill to this many times in the past, when the red mist descends upon me & the idea of doing what is best for me, goes right out the window. As my age & experience grow, I'm starting to learn that's all we can do, to do what is best for ourselves at every point in time.
We all have our own sporting risk profiles, at various points in the flight. For me, it's typically driven by terrain. If someone pushes on into challenging terrain, I'll typically hold back, whereas if it's a low blue day & plenty of fields, I'm happy to push on from low if I've got confidence in the day. While this is an example of sporting risk through terrain, it's also important to remember that if someone has started behind you, has caught you up & is about to fly over you, ask yourself this important question: what is best for me, right here, right now?
There's little sense leaving your 2kts when low because someone's overflown you. What you must do is realise, in this example, that you need this 2kt climb to get higher to overtly the tricky terrain ahead. If you were to leave the 2kts to chase your mate, only to find they've cored 4kts over unlandable terrain that you can't make, you're now stuck at the edge with no options.
Or this might happen instead. You keep a cool head and take the 2kts to a safe altitude, which allows you to cross the terrain safely ahead. You core 5kts over the centre, which your mate misses & turns out to be groveling on the other side!
Do what is best for you, because in the end, that's all you can do - safe Circles & tread your own path :)
Photo by Sean Franke from the 2024 20-Meter US Nationals at Seminole Lake Gliderport, FL
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.
