First task of the Nordic HG Open today, Vole – Otta – Sørem. It was clear from the forecast that we would have clouds, easterly winds, and maybe som rain. I went early and got up together with Robin and Nils Åge. But it got grey and no lift, so we all glided through towards the TP without any lift after leaving Gråhø. Most people fell through, but some got to the same point as us.

We have 32 pilots, including 6 Finns and 3 Swedes. Where are all the Norwegians? Afraid to lose? I cannot understand why people want to freefly here during the comp when they could participate and fly together with everyone.

Yesterday was canned because of strong NE winds and rain. Tonight lots of polits flew sled rides from Blåhø. Quite a lot of interesting landings in nil winds…

A couple of nice days in Vågå. Yesterday was really good, people could fly for as long as they wanted, and a few went XC. Robin made it 132 km from Blåhø to Røros. Today it rained cats and dogs all day, while 30 km away it was sunny and nice. Should improve until tomorrow…

Limited success this weekend at Ringerud. The weather forecast was perfect, but it was South-West winds instead of East on Saturday. We still got off the ramp when thermals came up the hill, but only Johnny and me got up and away. Conditions were turbulent in the lee side and a large area of shadow shut down the conditions halfway to the first TP, where we landed.
Sunday was forecasted to be good also, but it rained in Oslo from the morning. Eventually it cleared enough to be flyable, but soon became cloudy again and no thermals.

I’m leaving for Vågå tonight, will be there the next two weeks and arrange the Nordic Championships. Come fly with us there!

Last weekend we hand a comp at Tronfjell, the weather was pretty good, but a little too unstable. We got some rain on both days. I did not fly in the comp as I did not feel too good.

Here’s the view from the south launch 1300m ASL. Tylldal to the left, and Alvdal to the right. Click for the full-size image (Huge!)

The conditions were variable during the Hjartdal Cup this weekend. Saturday was blue, and the hangglider pilots waited too long to get a good task going. Nobody made goal, and only Tommy and Johnny got to the first TP. Sunday arrived with cirrus covering up the sky, and nobody got up. Moday it rained.

We only got one task of four days in the Milsluken XC comp, sadly the weather demons did not cooperate with us this time. Tor Erik Moen won by flying 101 km from Vågå to Åndalsnes, beating Trond Olsen by 300 meters. Frode Halse won the PG class with 64 km. The same day Werner Johannesen started from Øyer and flew 182 km almost all the way to Åndalsnes as well.

We got on national TV today during the Constitution day celebration program. We were contacted by the TV channel and the counsil in Vågå to do some show flights during the live broadcast from the celebrations, it turned out really good.

Tomorrow morning I drive to Hjartdal, to fly the Cup there. Weather looks really good!

We had fantastic conditions on Saturday, the first task of Frya Cup was Frya – Otta – Frya, an Out&Return of 71.3 km. Cloudbase was at 2100 meters and strong thermals everywhere, 12 of 14 pilots completed the task, with the quickest pilots spending less than 2 hours on the task. On sunday the wind turned and we could not get launchable conditions, too bed bacause the weather was nice and sunny. Olav Opsanger won the comp, Johannes Moger came second with a better time, but a later start and goal-time. Nils Åge Henden made third, and I came fourth.

I stayed in Vågå for some XC flying, Modays was supposed to be great, but some Cirrus moved in and ruined the day. There was still pleny of lift, but no XC conditions. We sendt out some of the students for their first filights from Vole, they did good. I did not feel well and had to land after just a few minutes in the air.

Tuesday Olav flew from Vågå to Øyer, 104 km, in totally blue conditions, I did not fly as I was not feeling well.

Thursday to Sunday is the Milslukern XC comp, weather looks OK so I hope we get lots of people coming.

Fog in Oslo all day, I drove to Brandbukampen north of Oslo in hope of better skies, I also considered driving all the way to Frya since Olav was going there but it would be too late when I got there.

It was nice conditions at Brandbukampen, blue skies and a few thermals now and then. By the time I had set up, the wind picked up from the south and a layer of cirrus moved in from the SW. It never got launchable and I had to derig and drive down. Olav flew for 2 hours over Frya. Should have been there…

Weather looks bad the next few days, maybe Sunday will be good.

The glider finally arrived, without damage! I went to Sundvollen this afternoon in spite the stable conditions. The landing field was plowed and seeded so it’s not possible to use Sundvollen for a few months now. It was dead stable anyway, Frode Halse soared for a few minutes but fell through. Stein-Tore and Tor Erik also bombed out.

I enjoyed the nice spring weather and took a few photos. The Canon G2 takes great panorama shots. Click to get the full size image

Tomorrow should have a better lapse rate than today, I might go to Brandbukampen for some afternoon soaring.

My glider is reported to be on the way home from Australia, I might get to fly this season anyway. (As long as it does not get damaged in freight. Last time the forklift driver made a nice hole in the box, and destroyed my basebar)