Jacobs Ladder (ours des prairies)

Definition:

The JACOB'S LADDER is a continuous series of transitions between a half BARREL ROLL(*) rotation and a half LAZY SUSAN. The trick is entered from either a FADE or a TURTLE. If it is entered from a FADE (belly up, nose towards the pilot), the kite performs a half BARREL ROLL so that it is belly down, nose towards the pilot. The kite is then rolled on the pitch axis into a TURTLE (belly up, nose away) from which the kite rotates a half LAZY SUSAN (flat rotation on the kite's back) which brings the kite into a belly up, nose towards the pilot position. Finally the kite is rolled again on the pitch axis into a FADE: This entire sequence constitutes one full rung. If the trick is entered from a TURTLE, it starts with a half LAZY SUSAN and the alternating sequence continues as just described. The direction of the barrel roll and lazy susan rotations does not matter. However the smoothness of the transitions between positions is crucial to the quality of the trick. The method and direction to enter the first FADE or BACKFLIP do not matter as well as the method of exit of the trick as long as it is deliberate.

Key elements:

Minimum three full rungs. Smoothness. Higher score when done low.  EXCELLENT only when there are 5 full rungs. No drifting sideways.

Judges view:

On the spot is crucial, as well as the number of rungs. This trick needs a certain rhythm.

Most common errors:

Changes in speed, uneven fade position (wingtips not parallel to the ground).

The videos aren't HD, but you'll get the idea:

(*) Barrel Roll: this is not a Tricksparty Trick, but it goes like this: Fly a ground pass and do a Half axel and then pull early (before the nose is fully away from you) on the other hand as if rising up to a Fade. Pulling on one hand causes the kite to start rotating while it's coming up into the Fade. Ideally the Fade should come in so that the back of the kite is mere inches of the ground. The kite continues to rotate, as if turning around the spine and eventually recovers to continue flying in the original direction. In the Jacobs Ladder we use that "turning around the spine" to get the kite from Fade to an upside down position before pushing it into the Turtle position.