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SP to Polo Fields

From: Casey
Activity_Date: 1/25/01
Remote Name: 4.33.113.55

Comments

SkyPort, 25 Jan

Bob called me around 8:30 and ask me if I wanted to fly, but I had obligations … After finally checking the weather and looking outside at nice white puffies at 5K … I changed my mind. I got started late, but was able to meat Tony and Ronnie at 11:30. Frank was kind enough to give us a ride.

Conditions were SW 0-10 at launch, and looked a bit active. There was a few pilots at launch milling around, waiting for the conditions to get better. But, they looked good to me.. just active. Tony launched, skied and headed east. Ronnie next , Tom B. and me.

I was checking out a new DHV 1-2 wing, the Ambar, so I really did not know what to expect. I did not get anything but sink right at launch, so I headed out well below launch. I vectored across to the TF trying look for what I knew was a nice fattie. I got all the way up the bowl out front of the TF and still nothing. I got a little closer and started to feel the convection flowing up the face, so I got a little closer still. Slowly I started working it until I was well established. Yea! The air had some definite sharks, but the Ambar was flying like a champ. It turns real tight for a 1-2, which really allows you to core the thermals. I headed east after topping out at 4600. The west that was building made the transitions fast, but the sink in the canyons was killing my AGL. I came up low on almost every point, having to work my way up scratching and crawling. Again, the Ambar made this possible. I’m not sure I would have stuck it out with my Saber. I was taking some nasty hits, but the Ambar was still there. It was a blast being able to concentrate of the flying and not worry about your wing. Once I got to Romero I was pretty low, working zero sink looking … I came around front to the bowl, and again getting right in the convection, which slowing sucked me into the main thermal. 4600 again! I headed to the next peak, which I don’t remember it’s name and again worked my way back up to 4000. At this point I started making tactical errors. Not knowing exactly where I was going. So, I headed out and west to the beach and landed east of the Polo fields.

I had already missed my right back with Tony, but SA was a saint and came and picked me up within 10 minutes. Bill B also said he would have retrieved me. Thanks!

The Ambar is a nice solid wing. I give up a little performance from my Sabre, but the piece of mind of stability is quite alluring.

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