26th - 27th May: Denizli Pre-World Cup.

The link for this competition can be found here. There is a nice picture from the site photo gallery of Annie, Yiğit, Matt and I relaxing after the day's flying under a Red Bull tent here. We met New Zealander Matt Senior at this comp, and went on to spend time with him in Ölü Deniz. He was here in Turkey on account of a chance meeting in an Australian comp with Semih Sayir, currently number one competition pilot in the country. 'Why not come to Turkey?' Semih suggested, and here he was. Semih told us in Ölü that his nickname was 'champion'! Modest. He lived up to his reputation, by getting 2nd in this pre-world comp, in a field of about 80 pilots from all round the world. Matt got 11th which he was pleased with. Yiğit was stoical about his 15th position. He was leading the previous day, but the task was cancelled due to overdevelopment. Matt was second on that day I think.

We arrived in Denizli close to midnight by bus from Ankara. We got a dolmuş to Karahayit where the comp was based, 20km north of Denizli. 2 lira each: better than the 40 lira taxi 'deal' we were offered. Yiğit and his friend Mehmet helped us sort out a pension when we arrived. The Hierapolis Hotel where the comp pilots were staying was out of our price range. There were hotels and pensions everywhere. The place seemed like a sea-side resort. Must be all those hot spring baths.

Task briefing on the last day: (Semih crouching over the board)

Annie and I flew on the Sunday. A 34km task was set from the lower take-off - a triangle I think. I don't know for sure because I couldn't work my GPS properly to try it. I just thermalled from one place to another randomly for an hour, but had a great time, one time finding myself at the top of a gaggle. The XC potential here is unlike anything I've known. The national distance record is from here. I think this might be the flight here. The young guy who flew it from METU was also at the comp, doing pretty well. He's new to competition flying.

Annie and gaggle of comp. pilots

I was registered as a guest pilot. It was 15 lira for both Annie and I to get all the services of the comp for the day - transport, medical and a lunch. Good value. There were loads of pilots who turned up for the comp just for the experience. It would be easy for anyone coming out to Turkey from England to register for any of these comps. The tasks weren't that hard as far as I could tell, and some of our boys from Kernow might have a shot at getting a good result. Good experience. Keep an eye out for this kind of competition whenever you're thinking of going on holiday. It's a useful environment to socialise and learn a lot in a supportive, well organised flying event. There were pilots there from France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Greece, New Zealand, Japan, etc.

The results were: 1st: Jean-François Chapuis from France. 2nd: Semih Sayir from Turkey. 3rd: Daniel Dimov from Bulgaria.

Bork before taking off.