Jemm.cz

After the awful weather in Alps area, we are finally lucky and can see some sunshine. The cold front brings good visibility and crispy air. Unfortunately, the thermic doesn't work so we have to wait to fly on sunday – the first race day. The Czech Team consists of 5 pilots: Tomáš Brauner, David Ohlídal, Radek Večeřa, Karel Vrbenský and Renáta Kunová. Three of them still compete for the nomination for the Pogo Bustone super-final in Italy. This last serial of races also decides the European Tour winners, so we have quite a lot to look forward.

We choose the nearby village Roč as our lodging place. The atmosphere is unforgettable: ancient roman culture, little church, excavation sites, stone houses with flowers, mazy aisles, obscure pubs and wavy swallows. Similar looks the historical city of Buzet, with an old town and a castle on the small hill. There is no time for sightseeing now, let's go back to the competition.

The way up to the take off, takes about half an hour alongside Slovenian border accompanied by beautiful sceneries. From the take off, you can see the whole peninsula surrounded by sea, the Buzet town and the “majestic” Učka peak. With less than 200 m of superelevation, the practice flights from Stranik (small hill in Slovakia, Nizke Tatry) will come handy. During the first two tasks, we were able to explore the nearby area and with west winds fly in all directions. Nice cumulus clouds were forming by the take off, the wind was stronger and thermals weaker in the flatlands. Due to the various results it is difficult to anticipate the winner. Even the best pilot can bomb out right after the take off, or when he/she leaves the flying group. Anyway, the terrain looks interesting, rugged and heavily forested.

TASK 1: 63 km A perfect day, one would say. Cumulus clouds above take off and strong thermals. The way to the first turn point was a piece of cake. But, during the day the wind gets stronger and majority of pilots cannot fly on. The flight alongside the ridge gets so dangerous, that many pilots call highest danger on the safety frequency. Strangely enough, organizers decide to carry on with the race. At this time 50 pilots land safely on the ground, only two in the trees. Only 15 pilots make it to finish line, Karel Vrbenský among them.

TASK 2: 61 km This time the weather changes every minute. The thermals get weaker and the visibility gets worse. I don't hesitate a second and start among the first pilots. Its better to wait high above, than struggle down below. Conditions get worse and many pilots spoil their take off. I make it to cloud base (today at 1600 m), 1000 m above take off. Hills work very well today, but the flatlands are difficult with strong wind. We work together and help each other out when finding thermals. Karel and I fly more up the wind to get some height, but the clouds are breaking down and all we find is a strong wind. Other pilots struggle the same and we meet by the last turn point. Only 14 pilots make it to the 11 km far away goal. From the Czech team: 2nd Radek, 7th Tomáš, Renáta and Karel landed on 46th km.

TASK 3: 63 km alongside ridge Today's forecast: weaker wind and good thermic conditions. Cumulus clouds are forming after 1 p.m. in the valley. Because the valley gets overcast right after the start, we all get first thermals at the first turn point. 2nd turn point is Buzet and we all thermal above the stone-pit. Everyone has to be patient today and take every little thermal one can find. A large group of pilots bombs out in the valley, only the first 11 pilots make it to the goal. Tomáš and David are among them. The rest of the Czech team make it to 49th km. After the 3rd round the worst flights get discarded which tumbles the final results.

TASK 4: 59 km zig zag on the ridge Due to the weak thermic conditions we fly only above the ridge today. Many pilots bomb out, but 45 make it to the goal. I struggle right after the take off and take even the weakest thermals. Together with other pilots we help each other out and for the first time this competition I make it to the goal. The temperature gets to 39 deg. during the day and the only thing that saves us is a cold shower. Two days to go.

TASK 5: 61 km At first the conditions look too weak, but the weather gets better later on, and we fly all the way to south Istria. The flight in flatlands is slow and it is important to watch our height. At first I fly along Valič brothers and together with Radek we risk a bit and try to fly a different track. It doesn't work so we join the big group and carry on with others. Many pilots bomb out at 20 km mark, others at 40 km, me included. Only 16 pilots make it to the goal today. This time I don't want to wait for the official recover truck and hitchhike back together with an austrian colleague. We are lucky and make it in 30 min. Marion Slunka finishes today which stirs up the results even more.

TASK 6: 72 km Despite the last race day, the organizers plan the longest task so far. This time up the wind all the way to the coast 32 km and back down wind. The first leg up wind is difficult and we struggle to carry on. Karel and I decide to find the thermals in the valley, which turns out as the right decision. Above the tunnel we find the best thermal of the week and go up to 2100 m in 6m/s thermal. The higher we get the better we can see the whole Istria panorama, Rieka harbor and Jadran with its little isles. My strategy worked very well and I made it as the first among women. The Czech team celebrates a victory and 1st place in women. We also qualify for the Poggio Bustone in Italy. See you again next month when reporting from the next PWC course.

RESULTS OVERALL 1.Yasen Savov 2.Armin Eder 3.Stefan Wyss

WOMEN 1.Renáta Kuhnová 2.Marion Slunka 3.Eliza Houdry

You can find more at the official organizers website: http://www.fas­tretrieve.com/PWCA/5­.html

Thanks for the airborne pics by Rafal Luckosz.

Reaction:

New reaction: