Page "Gliding competition" Paragraph 13

Each day an initial decision is made as to the likelihood that the conditions for the day are adequate to remain aloft.

If so, the pilots are told to prepare ( assemble ) their gliders and moved them onto the runway launch grid and prepare to launch.

The order of the gliders on the grid is predetermined for each day and rotates amongst the pilots.

The contest pilots gather at the start of each contest day to learn about the day's forecast weather conditions, to obtain briefings on operational and safety related issues, to hear about the previous day's results ( if any ) and possibly to hear from the previous day's winning pilot ( s ).

Behind the scenes, the weather forecaster will discuss the local predicted conditions for the day with the task-setter ( which is sometimes a committee ).

Once the task for the day has been decided, a pilot's briefing is held to describe the task and provide an update on forecast weather and any airspace restrictions.

Often a non-competing pilot will make a preliminary flight to verify conditions aloft ( known as a " sniffer ").

Launching takes place when the director believes that the gliders can stay airborne.