The weather guys are quite chagrined that they undercalled the thermal strength and height of the thermals the day before. Unfortunately they go a bit overboard today.
Thermal strength is predicted to be stronger, but there is also a predicted inversion layer.
Given their optimistic forecast the task committee chooses a 160 kilometer task for the first group. A hundred miles. As long as the longest task completed at Hay this year. When we hear the task there is a collective groan at the pilots meeting. The next turnpoint is the Tawonga intersection almost to Mt. Beauty, south and west across the Kiewa Valley.