Multiprocessing The demanding Art of Cross Country Racing

1. MultiprocessingThe demanding Art of Cross Country Racing US Team/Region 1 XC/Racing Camp Doug Jacobs

2. There’s lots going on in a soaring flight . . . . • Trying to Thermal optimally • Staying Safe if in a Gaggle • Deciding how high to take the thermal? • Deciding where to go next? • Deciding what path to get there • Choosing the best thermal for the next stop Cross country soaring is as much about decision making as flying the glider

3. There’s even more going on when you’re racing • When to Start • Starting strategies • Fooling with the flight computer • Deciding on the next turnpoint in a MAT? • Deciding where to turn in an Assigned Area Task? • Figuring out your Final Glide Racing is primarily a mental performance sport, about optimal decision making with imperfect information

4. To excel, the cross country or racing pilot must deal with a complex mental workload And when the canopy comes down, IQ is cut in half (at least!) How to deal with the complexity? • By recognizing it’s elements • By minimizing non-critical distractions • By practicing required actions so they become second nature • By continually analyzing flight performance in a systematic way

5. Most important is basic ship handling • Thermal corrections, bank angle changes, speed changes and the like are automatic • How? Just like how you get to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice • Don’t sand on weak days, go fly! • Know your electronics cold • Radio frequency changing • Flight computer programming • Must avoid any unnecessary distractions • The radio • Physical comfort • Excessive emotion

6. Prepare everything possible for the flight before you launch • Flight computer programmed • B and C tasks as well • Task fully memorized • Ground crew/retrieve arrangements made • Car keys stay in the crew car • Checklist completed • Lunch/water/relief ready to go and at hand Subtract anything that will take your mind off the flight

7. Physiological factors are important Physical fitness leads to mental fitness • Well rested • Something to eat • Plenty to drink • Positive mental attitude, self confident • Calm emotional outlook • Ability to put mistakes behind you

8. Develop a mental scan 3/30/3/30 process • What am I going to do in 3 seconds? • Not get hit by that glider above/below/ahead • Open/close my turn to move my circle • What am I going to do in 30 seconds? • Speed up/slow down (in the run) • Turn in this lift or keep going? • Stay with this thermal or leave • Follow that glider or go my own way

9. Develop a mental scan 3/30/3/30 process • What am I going to do in three minutes? • How do I exit this thermal? • Do I see markers down course? • Go for the clouds on the left or right? • What am I going to do in 30 minutes? • Are the clouds better/worse down course? • How are the streets/energy lines developing? • What’s my next pilot designated turnpoint? • When will I have enough for final glide?

10. Mentally roll through the 3/30/3/30 mantra constantly • Recognize distraction, deal with it, back to the mantra • Keep this going the whole flight