Wave During a Race
I am not referring to flying a task in wave at a mountain site where you would plan to race in wave. Let's start by thinking about it from a pre-start and work our way around the course.
In a previous article I talked about recognizing wave on task and how I used it to get the last climb of the day and made it home, winning the day and getting a final spot on the podium.
Wave can set-up in flatlands above the thermal layer. This is generally best-used pre-start. The entry can be time-consuming and the climb rate can be slow (1knt). However, when it is pre-start and still below the start height it is basically free altitude. I have also waited in wave for the gate to open because the sky was less crowded, resulting in less stress. Typically this wave is not efficient on course because the climb rate is so low compared to the thermals below, especially if the wind is drifting you in the wrong direction.
G Dale's Volume 2 'Soaring Cross Country under the wave' section he talks about how it will compress the thermals. It will also lead to having stronger thermals at particular ends of the street depending on the wave system above. Once you figure this pattern out you can continue to have the stronger climbs and avoid the suppression.
Once in the wave, you might be able to run in really good air even lifting. However, it is not faster to take a slow climb and time getting in if you were moving along a cloud street taking 4 Knt climbs. The sky would have to be failing to produce thermals before I would try it on course. However, a few extra thousand feet to get over un-landable terrain is worth an otherwise impassable area.
Wave suppression is not to be taken lightly. You can have this suppression on flatlands and also mountain sites (hilly sites too). My worst fear is wave suppression when on the ridges (think Mifflin). One minute you are racing at 100knts the next you are on short final, hopefully into a field.
Because the winds aloft are determining the wave direction. You will expect to see streeting, possibly not aligned with the lower altitude wind. This will be a consideration when planning your task.
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.
