2013 Tochigi International Championship
Reported by Mike Howard
24th AM You have to be impressed with a competition that is prepared to set a four task flight, two of which are FON’s on the final morning of a competition given the fact that markers have to be measured, and observers have to be debriefed before scores can be published. However given the fantastic job the debriefing team and the scoring team have been doing all week in getting the results out in lighting time a four task flight is no issue for the guys here. Even as I write this report, which is only a couple of hours after I got back, the provisional total scores are out. This morning’s flight consisted of a JDG, HZW, FON, FON. Launching from the baseball park on the river the pilots had about 120 degrees of steerage to work with to get them to the first targets. The question was, which is always the same with this flight, is when would the wind slow and then change direction? Approaching the first target clearly showed the degree of steerage available and the skill of the pilots at this event. First 10 pilots were sub 5m, 22 pilots were sub 10m. 11m got me 23rd place. To reach the northern of the two HZW goals required a quick climb back into the westerly wind and then a drop down to the surface to approach from the north. Picking the descent point was critical as the surface wind was constantly swinging left and right. Although not as good as the JDG, the results here were still very impressive. 17 pilots were again sub 10m. For the first FON goal most of the pilots held their nerve and decided to ride the northerly flow on the surface to a goal just south of the HZW…..(unfortunately I was not one of those…..note to self don’t change goals at the last min). Again 25 pilots were sub 10m. Wanting to finish on a high, given how badly I have been flying all week, I decide to throw away my first FON and concentrate on nailing my last FON. Dropping down to the surface and selecting a goal on my track pretty much guaranteed me a reasonable score (as long as the wind didn’t change). 2.89m drop gave me only a 7th place! That alone is a great indication of the quality of the pilots competing at this event. Some of the world’s best pilots are here battling it out and if you don’t turn up with you game-head on, then very quickly you will find yourself well down the pack. Rather than run down the final top ten you can check out the results at: http://www.exemballoon.com/Tochigi2013Results/MobileNot/HTML4/E%5BT13%5DC%5BT13%5DS%5BSG1%5DCompetitionStandings.html Once again I would like to thank the organisation for a fantastic event. Well organised, welcoming and very helpful. As already mentioned I think the back room team including the debriefing and scoring teams did a fantastic job. It’s a shame all events cannot be this efficient. If I had one very, very small criticism, (advice/request) it would be could the task setters please make the targets a little more interesting…. Pilots love dropping markers into pie shapes at targets (or any other shape for that matter). You have done this in previous years and it means we get to throw more markers and we all know how pilots love to throw markers…….even if some of us tend to throw the wrong colour. This is a first rate event organised by a first rate team and I sincerely hope it continues for years to come so we can come back and sample the great flying area, generally fantastic flying conditions, and the superb friendly locals whether they are you homestay host family or the 80 year old person who has followed your balloon during the flight and then insists on helping you pack away. Until next year. |
OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE
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 Photo by Shu Sakai
23rd PM
Traditionally at this event there are usually two night glows the pilots participate in. One at the Honda Twin Rings, and one on the river bank. This year we are only doing the one at the Twin Rings. Consequently the evening task is designed to be a much shorter event to give everyone time to finish the flight, measure the drop, return the observer and refuel before heading to the Twin Rings. This evenings task was a simple PDG with the option of nominating three possible goals. Given the wind forecast, and the subsequent pi-ball data most pilots nominated goals atone o'clock, two o'clock and three o'clock from the launch field hoping the scatter approach would at least ensure they scored within the 100m maximum scoring area at one of their goals. Once airborne the pilots had two choices. Either hold their nerves and stay low hoping that the lower winds would swing right and give them a track to their goal, or climb fast to 5000ft pick up the westerly wind for a short while and then descend quickly back into the lower levels and hope the wind would take them to one of their goals. From my view point at 5000ft (no prizes for guessing which option I went with) it seemed like both options would work. I would think there will be some very good results from this evenings flight. Weather looks good for the morning. Footnote: it's been so long since I've seen a target at this event, that I haven't been bothering with the camera. The one flight I actually get to a goal I forget to turn the damn thing on. |
Mike Howard dropping on his PDG 11/23 PM
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Photo by Mike Howard
23rd AM
Another five markers on the table at briefing this morning with the flight taking place over the flat plains of the Utsunomiya area.
The first task was a simple FIN to the baseball park next to the river. Regular participants to this event had a good idea how to approach this target. Fly down the river from the north and pick up the left turn as you come over the bridge just before the target. Unfortunately this was not the case this morning. Approaching from the NW over the river with the surface wind swinging to the SW made for an unusual approach than normal at the target. But most of the pilots read the winds well and achieved good results, with the top ten all being sub 5m.
To reach the second JDG required sitting in a narrow band of wind at approx 1,500ft to the SW. Anything higher drifted off to the west and lower did the same. The best approach required flying just past the target and then drifting very slowly back to the NW right on the surface. Richard Sabin from the USA had an great drop using that technique. Unfortunately when I went to do the same the surface wind had shifted and was now blowing from the north. This shift caught a few of us out but allowed the pilots at the back to adjust their approach and get some good results.
Task three this morning was a PDG with two possible goals given to the observer prior to take off. Most of the pilots would have selected goals in between the previous JDG and the next JDG.
With the surface wind now swinging to the right most of the first pack missed the second JDG to the west. However those at the back were able to throw caution to the wind and climb fast to just over 4,000 to find a westerly wind to get them north of the target and then descend fast to pick up the southerly flow to the target. About a quarter of the competitors were able to score.
The final task this morning was a simple FON. Once the surface wind had stop shifting it remained fairly constant out of the north. Those who selected their FON goals based on this wind should have scored well.
Another five markers on the table at briefing this morning with the flight taking place over the flat plains of the Utsunomiya area.
The first task was a simple FIN to the baseball park next to the river. Regular participants to this event had a good idea how to approach this target. Fly down the river from the north and pick up the left turn as you come over the bridge just before the target. Unfortunately this was not the case this morning. Approaching from the NW over the river with the surface wind swinging to the SW made for an unusual approach than normal at the target. But most of the pilots read the winds well and achieved good results, with the top ten all being sub 5m.
To reach the second JDG required sitting in a narrow band of wind at approx 1,500ft to the SW. Anything higher drifted off to the west and lower did the same. The best approach required flying just past the target and then drifting very slowly back to the NW right on the surface. Richard Sabin from the USA had an great drop using that technique. Unfortunately when I went to do the same the surface wind had shifted and was now blowing from the north. This shift caught a few of us out but allowed the pilots at the back to adjust their approach and get some good results.
Task three this morning was a PDG with two possible goals given to the observer prior to take off. Most of the pilots would have selected goals in between the previous JDG and the next JDG.
With the surface wind now swinging to the right most of the first pack missed the second JDG to the west. However those at the back were able to throw caution to the wind and climb fast to just over 4,000 to find a westerly wind to get them north of the target and then descend fast to pick up the southerly flow to the target. About a quarter of the competitors were able to score.
The final task this morning was a simple FON. Once the surface wind had stop shifting it remained fairly constant out of the north. Those who selected their FON goals based on this wind should have scored well.
22nd PM
With light winds forecast for this evening flight it looked like it might be a bit of a lottery getting to either of the two HZW targets for the first task and selecting your PDG for the second. Although there was the option to fly the tasks in any order.
Some pilots elected to climb fast to fine the westerly wind to take them to the closest HZW target and had set their PDG past the goal. But most of the pack rode the slow southerly winds to the furthest most HZW and did their PDG before they got there.
One common thread with the evening flights, in all the years I have been coming to Japan, is patiences usually pays off. Tonight was no exception to that. The pilots who took their time and elected to fly to the northern HZW generally did far better than those going for the close in, more eastern PDG.
No doubt after this evenings results are published there will be some significant changes to the top ten.
With light winds forecast for this evening flight it looked like it might be a bit of a lottery getting to either of the two HZW targets for the first task and selecting your PDG for the second. Although there was the option to fly the tasks in any order.
Some pilots elected to climb fast to fine the westerly wind to take them to the closest HZW target and had set their PDG past the goal. But most of the pack rode the slow southerly winds to the furthest most HZW and did their PDG before they got there.
One common thread with the evening flights, in all the years I have been coming to Japan, is patiences usually pays off. Tonight was no exception to that. The pilots who took their time and elected to fly to the northern HZW generally did far better than those going for the close in, more eastern PDG.
No doubt after this evenings results are published there will be some significant changes to the top ten.
22nd AM
Pre-Flight Update: Day three, flight three, 4 task JDG, FON, JDG, FON. Not overly awe inspiring...but then again no matter what a director does the pilots would find something to complain about. ( sidebar: what do you call a group of pilots standing together?? A whinge) Currently driving out to the Twin Rings to launch from CLP1. Wind direction is forecasting to take us to the southeast with if backing and slowing throughout the flight.......or I think that's what the weatherman said. Latest standings before this morning's flight have 3 Americans, 3 Brits and 1 Aussie in the top ten with the overall leader being a native. Scores are relatively close so it's still all to play for. Just about to arrive at the launch site with the sun breaking over the mountains revealing blue skies. Looks like it's going to be another beautiful mountain flight. Must remember not to smack the ground! Post Flight Recap: Task 11 JDG required the first part of the flight to cross the tree covered mountains to the southeast. With relatively slow winds and at least a 30min flight to reach the target there was plenty of time to take in the splendid views. (See pictures attached) The target was situated in a narrow stream valley banked both sides by high trees. The drift just above the trees was to the south but once you dropped into the valley it turned a sharp left to the east. Target was peppered with markers. For the FON task 12, it seemed most pilots selected a goal on a direct line between the first and second JDG. But it required a fast climb back up to 1500ft to pick up the westerly winds, and then a quick descent to track towards their goals on the northerly wind. Once again I'm guessing there will be some very good results. For the second JDG, task 13, it was back up to 1500ft to ride the winds to the east with another descent to just above tree top height to pick up the southerly track. Approaching the target the lower winds seemed to be backing and slowing down so selecting the fly on goal for the final task was not going to be as straight forward as the rest of the flight. Once again the cross at the JDG was littered with markers. The FON for task 14 was a case of getting to the target before the winds changed. No doubt the pilots who selected goals close to the JDG will have achieved some good scores. Here's hoping the winds remain calm enough to allow us to fly this evening. |
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21st PM
Any met briefing sheet that includes the words "winter MONSOON pressure pattern" is never going to be conducive to good flying weather. But all credit to the organisers for trying.
Sending the pilots out with a two part task, FIN and PDG, to find a launch site in perpetration of it turning flyable.
Unfortunately the winds never slowed down so the flight was eventually cancelled by SMS.
Forecast for the morning is looking good.
Any met briefing sheet that includes the words "winter MONSOON pressure pattern" is never going to be conducive to good flying weather. But all credit to the organisers for trying.
Sending the pilots out with a two part task, FIN and PDG, to find a launch site in perpetration of it turning flyable.
Unfortunately the winds never slowed down so the flight was eventually cancelled by SMS.
Forecast for the morning is looking good.
21st AM Another 5 task flight was this mornings activity. With a low level jet wind about 1000ft off the surface from the north, a south westerly in the mid levels and a strong north westerly at altitude, there was plenty of opportunity to reach all the goals in the time permitted. Turned out the best area to launch from was a valley in thick low level fog which made launching pi-bals a waste of time. Once above the thin layer the rest of the area was in beautiful sunshine. Task 6 was a FIN to the usual baseball diamond in Motegi. It was obvious given the steerage that good scores were going to be attained. Turns out that all but one pilot were within 100m and the first 19 were sub 10m. Task 7 was a PDG which was declared prior to launch. A large number of the pilots headed for the goals to the south east of task 6. Using the mid level winds to move to the east and then dropping down to ride in on the northerly low level jet. Once again the steerage was there for pilots to achieve some good results. Task 8 and 9 were both JDG’s in the valley running NW to SE. These are very popular targets at this event and most of the regulars could fly there without the use of a map or gps. The first balloons through had the best of the steerage and managed to achieve very good GMD results. But for the second group the low level jet had slowed and turned to the left not allowing them a chance to actually reach the target. The back group were able to adjust their approach to account for the change in the low level wind and again score well. By the time most pilots approached the second JDG the surface wind was becoming less and less consistent making it difficult to choose the best line to fly in on. Task 10 was a FON. By the time I reached my goal the surface wind was more influenced by mini thermals than anything else. At ground level I initially went south, then turned west, and finally headed north. This was one of those goals where as soon as you throw you marker the balloon turns and heads back to the goal. Not frustrating at all. Latest results are at: http://www.exem-balloon.com/Tochigi2013Results/MobileNot/HTML4/T13Index.html |
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20th PM
Driving into briefing this afternoon, the flags on the side of the road were beating themselves to death. It wasn’t looking too promising for an afternoon flight.
This was confirmed with only one marker being on the table and a task sheet show a PDG.
There was a slight chance that the winds might lie down later so everyone drove out to the CLP to sit around for 45mins. The most spectacular part of waiting around was watching the Swiss team lose one of their very expensive GPS wind trackers as it was carried away under a small helium balloon released by mistake. Hope they got it back.
Flight was finally cancelled so it’s off to the welcome party and early night ready for more tasks tomorrow.
All the tasks from this morning have been scored and can be found at:
http://www.exem-balloon.com/Tochigi2013Results/MobileNot/HTML4/T13Index.html
Driving into briefing this afternoon, the flags on the side of the road were beating themselves to death. It wasn’t looking too promising for an afternoon flight.
This was confirmed with only one marker being on the table and a task sheet show a PDG.
There was a slight chance that the winds might lie down later so everyone drove out to the CLP to sit around for 45mins. The most spectacular part of waiting around was watching the Swiss team lose one of their very expensive GPS wind trackers as it was carried away under a small helium balloon released by mistake. Hope they got it back.
Flight was finally cancelled so it’s off to the welcome party and early night ready for more tasks tomorrow.
All the tasks from this morning have been scored and can be found at:
http://www.exem-balloon.com/Tochigi2013Results/MobileNot/HTML4/T13Index.html
20th AM
Five Markers on the table at the first briefing was a clear indication that the director, Les Purfield, had no plans to ease us into the competition. Fortunately for those of us that have been here before we recognised what we all knew as the river flight. The first task was a JDG GMD to the usual Target, just past the bridge on the right of the river bank. Green flag was raised at 0645. Taking off from the Honda Twin Rings Speedway, the first 30 mins of flight crossed the inhospitable tree covered mountains. Within the first 500ft there was a good 45 degrees of steerage so getting to the river wasn’t looking like a problem. As usual with this task the key to getting a good score would be in selecting the right approach over the last 300m. The trouble is the river has a tendency to shift the wind left and right by a few degrees making what initially looked like a sub 5m drop into a not so respectable 30 to 50m drop. The balloons that crossed the river to the north and made their approach in from there seemed initially to have the best line. Fortunately for those missing the target to the right there was a wind blowing back away from the target that allowed them to have a second or third attempt. However, as the flight progressed it turned out not to be such a good idea to waste time at the first target. David Bareford who had two or three attempts at the target won the task with a GMD of 0.25m. The first 9 pilots were all sub 10m. Task two was a PDG that had to be declared to the observer prior to launch. Given the familiarity of this flight most of the pilots elected to go for the two standard goals that we normally go for given the line of 117 and 118. No doubt there will be many good scores at both these goals with a handful of sub 1m. The key to the river flight is to get away as early as possible and not hang around too long at any one goal. Winds tend to shift unpredictably the further down the river you go. Task three was another JDG GMD. With a approx. 5 degrees of steerage in a very narrow band close to the ground, and a strong left turn at 800ft it was possible to make a good approach to the target. At 200m from the cross I knew I had it made. This was probably going to be my best score. Not often I can get my marker within the arms of the cross on a GMD. However it helps if you don’t let the basket hit the ground at the same time……. Duh! Richard Sabin from the USA won the task with a GMD of 0.14. This time the top 13 pilots were all sub 10m. Task four and five were FON task. Given the steerability of the morning winds both my provisional goals declared to the observer were attainable so rather than trying to overthink it I decided to fly to both of them. I’m guessing most of the pack did the same thing. Reaching the first one proved relatively simple and there should be many good scores from the pilots. However as the pack approached the last FON the winds started to die and become somewhat fickle. Those pilots at the front of the bunch were able to attain reasonable drops before the end of the scoring period with others forced to throw their markers out as the time ran out. Results from this mornings flight can be found at: http://www.exem-balloon.com/Tochigi2013Results/MobileNot/HTML4/T13Index.html |
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Practice Flight
Tuesday morning marked the practice flight for the 2013 Tochigi Championship being hosted in Motegi, Haga and Utsnomiya, Japan. This year 14 competitors from outside Japan and 18 from within Japan will try to keep pace with Yudai Fujita and his dominance over the last few years.
The weather looks great for all the flights with temperatures approaching 60 every day and not too cold in the mornings.
Pilots will be gearing up for the last time in an FAI class one event before the 2014 World Championship in Brazil.
Tuesday morning marked the practice flight for the 2013 Tochigi Championship being hosted in Motegi, Haga and Utsnomiya, Japan. This year 14 competitors from outside Japan and 18 from within Japan will try to keep pace with Yudai Fujita and his dominance over the last few years.
The weather looks great for all the flights with temperatures approaching 60 every day and not too cold in the mornings.
Pilots will be gearing up for the last time in an FAI class one event before the 2014 World Championship in Brazil.
