Forty two competition entrants attended the briefing for the practice day of the 2009 NSW State Championships. Competition Director Colin Turner and Bathurst Soaring Club President Bob McDonald welcomed the eager contestants, while Competition Meteorologist David Wilson confirmed the bad news that it was not going to be a great soaring day.

Nevertheless, several intrepid pilots braved the smoke and dust, 25 knot winds and cloudless skies and launched on the 2.5-hour Assigned Area Task of 300km set by competition Task Setter Tom Gilbert.

Derek Ruddock and Richard Frawley in DG1000s DGI successfully made it into the first task area, centred on Gular silo, and into the second task area centred on Mullengudgery, before succumbing to the weak conditions and outlanding. Richard said they were 'this far'  from making it home. The two pilots landed on a large, graded, corporate airstrip on Bundemar station 47km north of Narromine MAP.  Operations Director Peter Hanneman dashed off for the first aero tow retrieve of the competition.