Announcement

The 2009 Golden State Cross-Country Race will be May 22-24 at California Valley (not May 9-10 as posted previously).
With the cooperation of C.V. Lodge owner Ken Tabb, we have moved the start/finish line and launch area next to the C.V. Lodge. This will allow pilots to setup and launch within walking distance to the Lodge and restaurant. In addition, we plan to add a turnpoint far to the south for the really adventurous.

The new course has all the features to develop the world famous lift for which C.V. is known. This race is the ultimate challenge in cross country soaring. It is 3 days of fun and competition for all levels of X.C. soaring. Friday, May 22nd, there will be a course practice day.

The autonomous soaring team "ALOFT" is planning to attend.  As part of their research, Chris Bovis of the Naval Research Lab has very generously offered a Skytrace GPS data logger to attending teams. The only requirement is that each team provide the gps logs of each flight to the ALOFT team to use in their autonomous soaring research project. After the event, the Skytrace is yours to keep!

If you are not familiar with the logger take a look at: http://www.magtechinc.net/SkyTraceGPS.htm

It is very small gps unit that will fit into just about any glider, and it is very easy to use. I have just received my Skytrace, and it is very simple to download the data into a program like Google Earth.

California Valley is located at the northern tip of the Carrizo Plain Natural Area Preserve. The reserve is an arid basin of predominately shrub and grassland with wide open spaces and great thermal activity. It is bordered by the Tremblor Mountains to the east, and the Caliente Mountains to the west. The central feature is Soda Lake, one of the largest undisturbed alkali wetlands in the State. By May, the lake may have evaporated leaving behind a glistening expanse of white salts which illuminates your sailplane as it is crossing.

We welcome all pilots to participate in this fun and challenging event. If you have any questions and for more information, please feel free to call or email: 818-730-9856, xcsoaringpilot@yahoo.com).

Thank you for your interest, and I hope to see you there.

C. D. John Ellias

Golden State X.C. Race

Classes:	Unlimited
Entry Fee:	$15.00 per team to pay for medals
Awards:	Gold, Silver & Bronze Medals for each day, Saturday & Sunday.
	Gold, Silver & Bronze Medals for 2 days overall race results.
Pilots check-in:	Saturday, 9:00am
Pilots Meeting:	Saturday & Sunday, 9:30am
Course Open:
Friday	Practice day
Saturday	10:00am till 5:00pm, race day.
Sunday	10:00am till 3:00pm, race day Award ceremony immediately following race.
Tasks:	Unlimited; Saturday: Distance Task Sunday: Speed Task
Information:	John Ellias — 818-730-9856 xcsoaringpilot@yahoo.com

Directions and Accomodations

Via Highway 101:	Take Highway 58 east to Santa Margarita. From there travelapprox. 50 miles to Soda Lake Rd. Turn right on Soda Lake Rd. Lodge is @ 2 miles on right hand side.
Via Highway 5:	Take Highway 58 west to Buttonwillow. From there travel approx 50 miles to Soda Lake Rd. turn left. Lodge is @ 2 miles on the right hand side of road.
California Valley Lodge:	$65.00 per night per room, 2 double beds** Email Ken for reservations: kennethtab@aol.com 2 miles south of Highway 58, on Soda Lake Rd. California ValleyLodge: (805) 475-2363, Owner Ken Tab ** Facility is at Race course, any after contest events will take place @ Cal Val Lodge.
Night Barbecue	Friday and Saturday at Lodge Hot coals provided, bring your own food to cook.
Camping on Field:	No hook ups.
First Value Motel: Buttonwillow, Ca.	(661)-764-5207
Motel 6: Buttonwillow, Ca.	(661)764-5153