| Australian Open, Bright, 11 to 18 February
2006 Competition Report Just two weeks after the Killarney competition the stage was set for the Australian Open. Despite the Australian summer being pretty disappointing the Competition in Bright was nearly full. With big cash prizes and the event falling just before the preWorlds in Manilla, the field was larger and more international than previous years. Russian Nikolay Shorkhov (Gin gliders Boomerang 4) took away the first prize of 3000 dollars cash prize; along with Steve Ham they were the only pilots to make goal every day. There were also cash prizes for each category, so 300 dollars were taken by the top veteran, woman, and each DHV class: Steve Ham won the Serial (DHV 2-3) Category, and Hong Kong Brit, Nick Jaffe, won the DHV 2 category. Ever strengthening conditions caused a number of problems; with three tree landings, two of which were under reserves. Nicky Moss threw her reserve during task 2 and Hans Bausenwein in task 5. Both landed with minimal damage to body and glider.  Competition
Results Bright Competition Website New photos in the Gallery
 Day 1: Task
1:Winner Steve Ham (Airwave Magic 4) A 63km race with high level cloud comming across the course line and a significant headwind put the majority of competitiors on the ground before the second turnpoint. Steve Ham took a wide detour to Mount Buffalo, enabling him to stay in the air whilst a large block of shadow passed through. Only Nikolay Shorkhov and Steve managed to continue after the last tunpoint, having an easy run towards goal running ahead of another block of shadow. A twelve km final glide saw Steve get ahead of Nikolay, who having taken a poorer glide needed to top up a few kms short of goal Day 2: Cancelled due to strong winds.  Day 3: Task
2:Winner Ron Mackenzie (Gradient Avax RSF) A 69km race finishing in the Kiewa valley with a lot of crossings over unlandable tree covered terrain. The classic safer and shortest crossing to Tawonga gap was rejected by the fastest pilots. Once in the Kiewa valley the majority crossed to the east side, but Ron won the day by continuing on a more direct path along the valley (yellow trace). 60 pilots made goal.  Day 4: Task
3:Winner Craig Collins (Gradient Avax RSF) This run up the Ovens valley gave various course options, but the lead gaggle committed to running deep into the mountains around Mt Porpunka. This lead gaggle of 12 pilots were were able to get well ahead, with very little need to top up during the last 20km. Strong headwinds in the valley put many latecommers on the ground just before the goal line. 45 Pilots made goal both fast and slow. 2 pilots made it to goal very late but were just a minute after the last task time!  Day 5: Task
4:Winner Craig Collins (Gradient Avax RSF) With stronger winds threatening, the task of 50km was kept local, allowing multiple route options. The route back from the penultimate turnpoint into wind made for a number of changing places, as some lines were very lifty, whilst others dropped pilots into the strong valley headwind. 42 pilots made it into goal  Day
6: Task 5:Winner Miyata Ayumu (Gin Gliders Boomerang 4) After dropping from the overall position of 2nd after a bomb out the day before, Miyata flew very aggressively and was about 4km ahead on the final leg: Once again into wind along the valley to the Porpunka airstrip. Somehow he was able to sneak along low, whilst later, many pilots at cloud base found themselves dropping short on the final glide. 23 pilots made it into goal Day 7: Another windy day was forecast. The task was set and around 20 pilots were flying as the conditions on launch deteriorated. Soon after that the task was cancelled. Day 8: A strong westerly wind was forecast but hopes of a task were high. On launch the wind blew and we waited. After a lot of hanging around the day was cancelled at 2:30 and the Vodka started to flow. report by Steve Ham and Mark Graham |
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