pre-launch
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... and then that magical moment arrives: the time-keeper is half-way through the launch count-down and every pilot has suddenly become as still as a statue. In less than five seconds, they'll all be launching tip to tip. One wrong move here or a slight shift in wind direction exactly on launch and the gliders might physically clash as they climb away vertically; potentially the whole group could tumble out of the sky. At this moment even the wind often seems to hold its breath in anticipation.
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launch
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Some of the field during a competition launch. Note the thermal activity. Once off their lines, the gliders will circle up to cloud-base and go playing until the time-keeper calls them home again.
Though the exact moment of take-off is always dead silent, at this stage of the flight all the pilots are chattering and laughing; each competitor trying his hardest to distract the pilots on either side of him. 'Careful, James, there's a tiger snake a couple of inches from your foot.' 'Ross, that's my glider you're flying. Yours is two to the right of mine.' 'Dallas, look, look, your car's on fire!' |
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