Dominican Republic

Back from the Ozone Caribbean Open. The competition format was not really a competition. It was: fly off, scratch low, climb out, fly straight, fly in a triangle, or fly out and back, and/or survive then submit your track log for a score. There were no tasks, no start windows or big gaggles. It was fun for all but mainly a learning experience since Jocky Sanderson was there and some of the Ozone team to add insightful xc tips and weather briefings for every level of pilot. The Dominican Republic's weather for flying was like a textbook version for thermal flying. Beautiful cloud streets set up over the mountains and later in the day over the valley. Convergence lines were easy to spot and fly under for long effortless glides up or down the valley. Thermals consisted of 3-4 m/s climbs and fairly gentle, although later in the week the trade winds changed the conditions somewhat bringing more winds and torrential downpours at night. Of course all of these textbook weather conditions didnt matter if you couldnt make it up off of launch or get up over the valley. The site sits about 750 meters above the valley but back up a canyon about 4km. If you couldnt get out of the canyon since you could'nt really make the valley safely with a sledder you could land in a small bailout in the middle and bottom of the canyon where it was a 2 hour walk out. Adding to the fear of getting up or gliding out from launch all the more mandatory. There were several tree landings and bomb out's none the less with good stories to tell the rest of us. As for retrieves the locals all drive scooters or motorcycles as the main form of transport. You would just land out and several "moto conchos" would show up and take you to the main highway to be picked up by the buses. The Moto conchos consisted of holding on to the driver and trying not falling back or to the side because of the weight of the glider on your back, at 60 mph or so!
All in all we had a fun time flying with pilots from all over the world and enjoying the Dominican fruit and sunshine. We plan on going back as long as the accomodations improve but that is another story.
Cheers, SM
see some photos here