Bleak Field

Trailers began leaving the field around 3:00, and it is now, at 6:00 p.m., looking fairly empty. Those who made it home are the longer-winged planes. DB and SS both flew just shy (30K and 10K) of the first turnpoint before turning back for home. Wing tapes are shredded from rain, and SS has a significant divot on the leading edge of the right wing from hail. DB is in fine shape. Tom Claffey, S8, 18-Meter, Australia, reports that he started early and was able to thread the needle through two thunderstorms before the two storms became one and he realized he wouldn't be able to return. He motored home in his JS1-C but said that with a liter less fuel, we would not have had the pleasure of reporting on his flight. I mentioned to him that SS characterized the storm as of Texas intensity. S8 agreed.