The prospect of an excellent day saw the hangar doors open at 7.00am and first launch at 9.30am. By 10.30, Lawrence Wood (see below) had completed his first solo - many congratulations to him. He did well as a sniffer too, soaring for 3/4 hour on his second flight and convincing the grid they should launch. Thereafter, the day proved even better than forecast - by 2pm there were 6 knot climbs to over 5,000'. I think all the x-c pilots got round their tasks - congratulations to Darren Edge on his first 300k and to Jonathan Apperley for getting to Lasham and back. Jon Huband and John McWilliams also to did well to turn St Catherine's point on the Isle of White in the Arcus. Many thanks to winch drivers Paul Lazenby and Dave Roberts.