Sky XCamp 2007

In the morning, the sky is covered in a blanket of clouds, with wisps forming under it - more in the valley than on the ridges. No wonder, the ground is rather wet after yesterday's copious rain. The forecast is quite optimistic (except the forecasted strong wind later in the day), hence the expectations about this day are divided into two groups - pessimistic expectations of the ones observing the sky and optimistic of the ones watching the net. :-)

The briefing is starting, where the decision about the car lift to the launch is postponed till 10:15.

Updated at 11:15

Soon after the first briefing ends the clouds above the camp site start to break up and the pilots are getting more optimistic. Nevertheless, after a more detailed assessment of the meteorological situation and meteo-consultation with the local boss Felic it is decided to cancel the competition day as there is a high probability of showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon,

Updated at 21:50

Around the noon, the clouds towards Aviano were growing rather precariously, but finally did not grow over a dangerous size and later in the afternoon reversed back to a healthy size.

Pilots interested in flying have the possibility of getting a lift to the launch for free flying. The clouds were forming for a long time on the Dolada mountain , hence the launches were undoubtedly poetic.

Later in the afternoon the cloud bases arose to standard heights on the launch resembling the cloud bases on the surrounding ridges, allowing everyone who went to the launch a nice flight around the "horseshoe" to the left of the launch, Some pilots even managed the out and back trip twice.

Later in the afternoon the sky got covered in high clouds and the clouds over Belluno got seriously dark. By that time everyone was safely back to the ground.

The sky was not the only lively place today.

After yesterday's cloud-burst some of the "young and promising" had to take out their thoroughly damp reserve parachutes and overnight drying was followed by a group re-pack under the command of Hanca and Renca.

Bartic spent a long time checking the plastic map of the mountains and planning a flight towards the legendary queen Marmolada and his enthusiasm has attracted a few other adventurous pilots. Debates about the tactics of flying over deep Dolomites' valleys has not ended yet and are expected to continue to a late night. :-)

Martin "Manci" Vávra was saving his eyes, affected by conjunctivitis, for later flying. Manci himself was still staying rather visible, The ones who stayed in the camp could find Manci in several different roles. Surely from Manci's point the most appropriate was the role of the owner of a rum water-melon :).

Beer was on tap again in the afternoon (the current state is visible from today's aerial picture of the camp :) ), and as the steaks are being grilled, the party can start :-).