5 August, Day 4, Task 4

The sounding forecast and rest of forecasting servers predicted easterly winds with thunderstorms ...
Big cloud mass with low base formed over the mountain.
50 km race to goal task was set: Sopot - Vasil Levski lake - Sopot - Vasil Levski cross road - Banya
On the first turnpoint the slower pilots got some rain from the cumulunimbus formed in Kalofer-Botev area. The task had to be stopped but when the info was passed to meet director, there were no more pilots in dangerous area and the Cb started dying (probably not enough humidity in upper air)
So the task continued and pilots had quick flight to second point. The third turnpoint seemed difficult because of the strong head wind but the plenty of lift (suck) from cloud mass on course required just push of accelerator with occasional turns for extra climbing. Some pilots underestimated the goal leg and didn't get the plenty of lift and lack of head wind they had before. 6 pilots made goal with Valery Tzvetanov first. Ivelin Kalushkov crossed the goal line 4th but ranked 2nd because of more leading points.
Day 4 results and Track logs

In the evening there was a beautiful pilots' party and concert of gypsydelic Jango Ze with lightening show of thunerstorms around Sopot ..



4 August, Day 3, Task 3

The sounding forecast looks similar to yesterday ...
The airmass is again warm and humid. In the begining the cloudbase is low (2000 m) with big cloud developments above the mountain. Later the big clouds dissapear and good clouds with high base (2500 m) form over the mountain and in flatlands.
70 km Out and Return task was set: Sopot - Skobelevo - Sopot
In the begining the conditions are weak and difficult because of the low cloudbase. Some pilots land near Djendema (Hell) but the big surprise was the strong north wind around the turnpoin and the task had to be stopped. It seems the organizers still have much to learn about the meteorology of the area.
The reason for the north with in southerly airmass movement could be hidden front mixing low altitude cold air coming from north and warm air coming from south.
Leonardo view of task, 8 km before the turnpoint
Day 3 results and Track logs


3 August, Day 2, Task 2

The sounding forecast looks even better then yesterday ...
The airmass is even warmer and more humid and higher up there is good instability at cloudbase (2-2500 m). There is some inversion over 3000 m with good congestuses over Stara Planina and Sredna Gora mountains but later in the day most of clouds dissapeared.
90 km race to goal task was set: Sopot - Vasil Levski lake - Kliment dam - Pevtzite cross road - Kalofer - Sopot
Most pilots made the first turnpoint easily but then crossing the flatlands and reaching Sredna Gora was a challenge. It was blue with hazy spots and some pilots landed near second turnpoint. Then coming back to Stara Planina was a challenge but still doable. Once reaching Stara Planina it was easy ride alone the mountain to the duty cloud over kalofer and back. 7 pilots made the goal with Orlin Dimov - first, Valery Tzvetanov - second, Anatoly Mykhaylykta - third.
Leonardo view of task
Day 2 results and Track logs.


2 August, Day 1, Task 1

The sounding forecast looks good but ...
The airmass is warm and humid and the thermals low are weak. The cloudbase is about 2000 m. There is strong inversion over 3000 m with good congestuses over Stara Planina and blue elsewhere.
50 km race to goal task was set: Sopot-Vasil Levski lake-Pevtzite cross road-Dabene training hill-Sopot
Many pilots underestimated the first turn point and landed. Rumen Zhekov got first, Orlin Dimov - second, Ivelin Kalushkov - third. Valey Tzvetanov and Ivan Nikolov landed very short of landing but became 3rd and 4th in ranking because of good leading points.
Day 1 results and Track logs.

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