Bogong Cup Day 4

The hardest day for me yet. It took nearly an hour to cross the valley in the headwind and really rowdy/broken lift - then nearly 2 more hours to make the 59km trip to the first turnpoint in a 12-14mph headwind. This task took us away from the mountains and into the flatlands for about 35km. The flatlands were working well though with steady 800fpm climbs to 10,000ft. MSL. After making the first turnpoint and turning around I thought I would have it made with the strong tailwind. I made it back to the mountains and then on the way to the second turnpoint made a critical bad decision not to go back for good lift. I was afraid the day was going to shut down AND I really had to go to the bathroom...so I pressed on even though I thought this was the wrong decision. I landed very close to the second turnpoint (in a rolling downhill paddock) putting me about 26km from goal very tired and a little heartbroken (I think I even said a few bad words when I landed). I am still in 13th place overall.

The land owner came out to meet me and make sure I was ok and invited me in for something to drink. Once inside the small farm house his wife got about 12 differnt kinds of homemade ice cream from the freezer (it was about 95degrees outside) and put on the table. I then sat at the table with Martin, Maryanne, Martin's 90 year old father, and jake the 15 year old dog and had some really good ice cream (they were having red wine with theirs ?) and talked while I waited on my driver. Just when we were finishing up the ice cream a enormous grey goose walked in the room from outside...I was shocked but didn't say anything - they just ignored it.

I have found myself in some very interesting situations while hang gliding cross-country - thats part of the fun.