The Flatiron Cup
An educational, season-long set of scored XC tasks from Boulder. It's a free benefit for all members of RMHPA.
What?
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A new task will be announced each month from May - September. They will start quite easy and get progressively more difficult through the season.
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There will be one additional difficult season-long task.
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All tasks will start and end in Boulder (Wonderland) which has the fewest pilot requirements so the most people can participate. It's also how our agreement with USHPA works.
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Installing, understanding, and using the DNL file is critical!
Why?
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Novice XC pilots can complete as much of the task as possible and still get a good score - each meter along the course counts.
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Join friends and work together - a task will teach you a lot about XC navigating and speed optimization.
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Learn to use the task/comp features of your flight app.
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Experienced pilots can compete for the fastest time, and have something fun to do when chasing numbers isn't a great option.
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Scoring will be by wing class A/B/C/D+, so you can compete with similar wings.
How?
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Click here to open the scoring system. Login with your Google account and then click "Register".
Tasks for 2025
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There is no task start time. Do it any time, as often as you want. Get high, get inside the start cylinder, and GO! As always, new pilots should be wary of mid-day thermic conditions.
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All tasks have an ESS (End Speed Section) outside the finish cylinder. Don't fly the last bit of the flight fast & close to ground!
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You can do the task at any point during your flying day. The scoring system will find the part of your flight that completes the task. Fly as much as you want before or after the task.
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50 bonus points for tasks done in the designated month (but you can do an earlier task all season).
Season-long task: "BoGoBo"
68km. The classic line between Boulder to Golden... and back!
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The full route is only for experienced XC pilots.
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There are very large DNL sections south of Coal Creek - be sure to study our DNL system!
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Kris Holub has great video tutorials: Boulder to Golden, and Golden to Boulder.
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Up to 750 points for distance and 250 points for speed.
May task: "Leaving the Nest"
10km. A short task for speed takes you just out of the home bubble.
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Suitable for XC newcomers (try to fly the whole task), and for experts (lots of speedbar and as few circles as possible).
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Up to 300 points for distance and 700 points for speed.
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50 point bonus for flights done in May.
June task: "Reservoir Rodeo"
16km. A flatland task out east to Boulder Res, then find a thermal to get you back to the home ridge.
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There are plenty of good bail LZs out east, but don't get low near the shooting range DNL on the way out to the res.
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Really, there ARE thermals out there - take friends & look for birds.
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Up to 500 points for distance and 500 points for speed.
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50 point bonus for flights done in June.
July task: "Flatiron Fiesta"
21km. Over the iconic flatirons to the summit of Bear Peak & back.
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The glide from Sanitas to the flatirons is long and there are no landings. Go with friends, find thermals out front, and watch Kris Holub's excellent video tutorial.
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Up to 600 points for distance and 400 points for speed.
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50 point bonus for flights done in July.
August task: "PacMan Pursuit"
20km. Munch dots!
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Get that ever-so-satisfying "ka-ching" on repeat as you tag a bunch of small waypoints.
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Up to 550 points for distance and 450 points for speed.
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50 point bonus for flights done in August.
September task: "In And Out"
31km. Head south, and back. East, and back, North, and Finish.
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Use the home hill advantage to top up, than dash out to the turnpoints, one at a time.
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Up to 650 points for distance and 350 points for speed.
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50 point bonus for flights done in September.
Scoring and Results
You may need to scroll the box below, or open the full scoring system.
Contact Nick Wilder on Telegram if you're having trouble.
You will be taken to the scoring system website where you'll log in and upload your icg file(s). After uploading your icg file, it takes 1-3 minutes to be processed in the background.