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Breaking the Hoo-Doo.

It has been three years since I did my first cross-country from Moirs, and although it wasn't an epic flight I am glad I have finally got the "monkey" off my back.

The day turned out to be challenging for all of us that took off. Jeff, as usual, was first in the air quickly followed by Evan. They boated around for a while getting high then coming back down. John then Anand were next, followed by Chris and Rodger, then Brendan and eventually myself.

Both Jeff and Evan got low out front but eventually climbed out, Jeff got over the back first, Evan hung around and eventually left with John. Unfortunately Anand gradually sank out and was unable to recover, landing in the Short Distance Goal Paddock.

Using what I have finally learnt I waited and launched straight into a thermal and climbed out over the back pretty much straight away. I joined Rodger over the pine forest and for a while tried to thermal with him. Until after one circle I lost him, only to see him a fair distance below and sinking fast, I decided to push cross-wind toward the glasshouses on Woodcocks Rd, following the ridge past Dark Summit. Rodger ended up landing in the plantation.

Unable to latch onto another good thermal I landed by the intersection of Woodcocks and Streamlands Swamp roads. Not bad considering the testing conditions.
Leonardo Flight Link

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