I thought it was a distance day and thought I would fall down if I launched from the grid, so I pulled to the back of the grid to go straight off tow. I launched a good 5 minutes before the start line was due to open, but was given the most powerful tug that got me to the DZ before I wanted to get there. So I flew as slowly as possible and started just as the line opened.

I couldn’t find any other gliders, which totally confused me, until I looked down and saw them! So I went to join them, setting off at 1700’ with Andy Davis and thought brilliant. Except Andy then came back so I assumed he hadn’t crossed the line. Actually he was making the correct tactical decision because going on was very high risk and likely to end up in a land out. I went in a few grotty thermals. Gavin Wrigley landed. I went onto a nice sensible, wide circuit into Rendcomb. Then my lucky moment of the flight materialised with a 2 kt thermal whch got me to the sunshine and good air. After that it got better and better, with 3,500ft and 4kts at the first turn – just missing airspace. As I was coming back under the overcast, unsoarable sky with half a dozen others, we saw the late starters coming the other way, which made me think there might be a chance of getting back, but I couldn’t see how.

We all took the last climb at Broadway. Jon Meyer laughed as he saw me trying to get into cloud. I could only get some of the glider in – leaving the other wing tip going shark-like round and round under the cloud.

Next I glid out to Cheltenham, climbed a bit on the hill which was working a bit. Then, eager to get the last 500ft onto glide, I flew to the hill at Brockworth because there’s a large area of built up town, a hill with the wind blowing onto it and a big black cloud over the top. My instincts were right, but it was working so well, it rained. So I landed.

I’ve been flying Nationals for 31 years (28 years in the same glider) and this is my first day win! I reckon I’m the only person flying this comp in a glider I’ve had from new.