Competition News

Summary written by Ruth Jessop With beautiful blue skies a 97 km task was set taking the pilots west, then a long leg east, followed by a circuit round the end of the Disentis valley, then back to goal at Ilanz. For Aaron Durogati it was the best day of the week - not too turbulent and with quite a few options. For Christian Maurer, it was perfect, better than expected, with totally blue conditions. The air start gave everyone stunning views from 3900m. Every time it looked as if it was going to be a procession to goal the pilots chose different route options. For Felix Rodriguez, everywhere was working, no need to stop in weak thermals - a really good racing day. It was a neck and neck race to end of speed between two veteran task winners Honorin Hamard and Stefan Wyss. Stefan won by 1 point bringing his task wins total to 23, inching his way nearer to Tim Bollinger’s Dad, Han’s overall lead of 28 task wins. Just a reminder that you can follow the commentary and live tracking on our split screen: https://live.pwca.org/app/split.html The first 98 pilots made goal, and thus all flew the same distance, and gained the same distance points. Today’s winner is therefore the one with a combination of the best speed points and lead out points. Top 3 overall 1st Stefan WYSS 2nd Honorin HAMARD 3rd Xavier LAPORTE Top 3 ladies 1st Meryl DELFERRIERE 2nd Nanda WALLISER 3rd Yael MARGELISCH

Weather and Infos, update 07:20 2-3/8 Cumulus, base 3500m Good thermals with a slightly delayed start Winds at 14h: Ground: - on Lukmanier south probably to Disentis - very little winds in the Surselva (this is a sign that it is foehny) - east of Flims weak valley winds (Chur-Davos-Thusis, Tiefenkastel etc) - Prättigau: I estimate 20km/h at Schiers (valley wind comes from west) 2000m: - from the Lukmanier the wind pushes as SW to about Trun - from „Vals“ the wind pushes as SW to Flims and to Chur - from San Bernadino to Thusis (and Scalottas!) - from Julier/Savognin to Davos, where Davos itself has only light winds at 2000 - Prättigau 5 kn NW 3000m: - 10-15kn W WSW As the wind forecast has increased, we may land in Schiers (Task Disentis - Sedrun - Davos - Schiers) Briefing middle station 10:30 Take Off 11:30 Chairlift will work 10:30 -12:00 and 13:00 - 13:30.

The day looked quite ok, a 70-km task was set, but a shower cell ruined what was probably quite pleasant flying with little wind. The task was cancelled before the air start.

A westerly air flow has brought a humid, hot and unstable air mass to the Alps. On Friday, this hot and still quite unstable air will continue to dominate the weather. 3-6/8 Cumulus, base 3500m In the afternoon, first showers possible south of us, later also possible in Disentis. Good thermals, partly disturbed by shadows. Ground: - Normal valley winds - on Lukmanier south to Curaglia 2000m: - From the Lukmanier the south wind pushes as SW to about Disentis, elsewhere the wind is light. - Vals: Weak winds - Safien and Thusis: 5-7kn NNE 3000m: - 10-15kn W, Flims 15kn WNW Cable Car 9:30-10:00 Briefing middle station 10:30 Take Off 11:30 Chairlift will work 10:30 -12:00 and 13:00 - 13:30.

After yesterday's very demanding task, today we will fly with the wind to the east. The thermal forecasts look very good, the cloud base with 3300-3600 meters high enough to plan a long task. The route leads via Lenzerheide to Davos. 90 kilometers over high mountains.

A stretched high ridge causes stable and hot conditions again during the day. Some cirrus clouds, intensity not yet estimable. However, they should not disturb the thermal development much. Few small cumuli, base 3300 rising to 3600. The wind forecast has changed from "WNW" to "WSW“: Relatively weak valley winds 2000m 5kn SW-Wind, at Cavistrau 10kn 3000m 10kn W, at Cavistrau 15kn Cable Car 9:30-10:00 Briefing middle station 10:30 Chairlift will work 10:30 -12:00 and 13:00 - 13:30. It could well be that we fly to Schiers on a indirect route.

This morning a small low pressure system in altitude crosses us and causes a temporary stabilisation (rain in our area for a short time ;-)). Behind it, the influence of high pressure quickly increases again. Afternoon, 14h: 2/8 cumuli, base at 3200 Good thermals Normal valley brise 2000 NNE 5-10kn 3000 W 10kn Transport from Camping: 9:00 Cable Car 9:30-10:00 Briefing middle station 10:30 Chairlift will work 10:30 -12:00 and 13:00 - 13:30.

The third task is set. 85 kilometres criss-cross in the Surselva. Landing will be in Ilanz, as in the first task. With the detour in the direction of Vals, the run has been tactically very demanding.

Summary written by Ruth Jessop With a much more promising weather forecast today an 84 km task up and down the Disentis valley was set. The wait for the start gate to open gave fantastic views of sharp mountains and snowy, glacial terrain. The race northeast to Flims was fast and furious. Luc Armant and Julien Wirtz took an early lead which they kept almost to End of Speed. The following gaggle overtook them 1km from ESS when they hit tricky conditions and their route shaded over forcing them to stop for a climb. Jan Jares, on the other side of the valley, used a cloud to climb out and fly straight to ESS, crossing the virtual line with a convincing lead of 1 minute and 28 seconds. The constantly changing wind direction in the goal field made it look as if nobody would make it, so helmets off to the 83 pilots who made the tricky final part of the race as the waiting crowd and paparazzi held their breath. The first 83 pilots made goal, and thus all flew the same distance, and gained the same distance points. Today’s winner is therefore the one with a combination of the best speed/time points and lead out points. I (Martin) was filming, which is why there are few photos.

Some high cloud fields (difficult to predict when and how dense), in the afternoon formation of 2/8 cumuli over the relief. Base approx. 3500m, even higher Moderate thermals, possibly delayed start, in the afternoon good. Probably dry. Wind 14h: Normal valley winds (rather a bit less than today). 2000m SW, 5kn up to Brigels, east of Brigels variable, towards Chur NE, 5kn 3000m 10kn SW 4000m 20kn WSW Generally less wind towards east Briefing 10:30 at Middlestation Chairlift will work 10:30 -12:00 and 13:00 - 13:30.

Summary written by Ruth Jessop: Day one of the first ever alpine Super Final started off with weather that didn’t even seem to impress the Highland cows grazing in front of HQ. A short sharp 54km task was set, with a turn point at Flims and goal at Llanz. The day was slow to launch but once it got going, what a race. It was anything but a straightforward ridge run. An X-Alps breakaway group led by Christian Maurer and Aaron Durogati took a route much further into the mountains reaching heights of 3300m with stunning views of the glacier and great, grey rock faces. Meanwhile, Honorin Hamard led the charge on the front ridge. Between the first and second turn points some of the leaders from the first part of the race got stuck. From what looked as if it was going to be a Swiss whitewash, Italians, Joachim Oberhauser and Aaron Durogati, took end of speed, almost neck and neck. ‘It was a day where it was turbulent in places, but an appropriate task given the conditions,’ Stephan Morgenthaler confirmed. The first 62 pilots made goal, and thus all flew the same distance, and gained the same distance points. Today’s winner is therefore the one with a combination of the best speed/time points and lead out points. 1 Aaron DUROGATI ITA Icepeak X-One/Impress 3 865 1 Joachim OBERHAUSER ITA Enzo 3/Exoceat 865 3 Adrian HACHEN CHE Boomerang 12/GR4 Gin Gliders, AXALP Technologies 858 4 Stephan MORGENTHALER CHE Enzo 3/GR4 856 5 004 Michael SIGEL CHE Boomerang 12/GR4 Gin Gliders, Jack8Jones 853 1st Seiko FUKUOKA NAVILLE 2nd Constance METTETAL 3rd Nanda WALLISER

There is the possibility to follow the pilots live via Flymaster or Google Earth. Livetracking will be available each day as soon as the task is defined. The airspace file has one more change! Please download the current files to your device.

Variable cloudiness, base at noon at 2000m, rising to 2800 or 3000 in the afternoon. Over the relief 2-3/8 cumuli, probably sucking. North of us precipitation from 2pm, but dry in Surselva (showers possible from west towards evening). Wind at 2 pm: Valley wind up to almost Disentis, in Disentis itself I expect SW wind. 1000-1500m I also expect "valley wind" (northeast) until Brigels or Trun, but at 2000m the wind should generally come from SW (5-10kn). In the Flims region from the south. Above 2500m the wind will increase, 3000m (SW, 15kn). At the launch site the wind will increase as soon as the base rises. Probably the area Brigels - Flims is quite pleasant to fly. Briefing at middle station 10:30

From noon on, increasing clouds and showers over the relief (Glarnerland), later possible in the valley. Model Arome makes more clouds, but no showers. Meteoparapente makes no clouds but more wind (and too high a base). Probably Cosmo makes the better forecast... Disturbed thermals, especially until 1pm, but also later, due to warm air advection and the incoming colder valley wind. Base at noon 2000m?, then clouds quickly dissolving and top rising rapidly to 3000 (but difficult to reach?). 1500-2000m SW 5kn, increasing to 15kn Wind blowing from the southern valleys Lukmanier and Val Sumvig Ilanz has valley wind, region Ilanz to Flims has less wind Timing Monday (very difficult …): 9:00 at cable car station 9:45 Briefing at middle station

Saturday Early clouds at 3-3500m Wind increasing rapidly from noon. 11am: - 2000m 20kn - 3000m 30kn Possibly a flight can be made in Prättigau - but be careful with the wind... (I don't think it's worth the trip) From approx. 18h rain (partly heavy) Sunday South wind until noon, turning to north in the afternoon. That's why the humidity is pushing back towards the Alps. But we are somewhat protected. The question is whether the base will rise high enough at noon. We are also expecting cloud cover at 3400m. Small chance for a task. Monday At altitude westerly flow, in the lower layer less wind (SW 1500m 8kn). At noon the wind picks up over Lukmanier and Val Sumvitg. Chur will have north wind. Warm air advection :-( Task, probably with landing in Ilanz. Tuesday Fair weather, weak northwest winds. Normal valley winds. Good for Task. Wednesday We are in high pressure. Good :-) Thursday Good, over 30°, some SW wind. Training Task tomorrow is canceld. We will be offering Covid tests from 3pm. Please remember: Only tested, vaccinated and recovered persons are allowed. Check: http://www.disentis-open.ch

There is an outbreak of chamois blindness in the area south of the Rhine. The Wildlife Department suggested that we do not fly over the entire yellow area. We had a meeting with the wildlife department yesterday afternoon and were able to find a good compromise. It is the zone marked in red. It is extremely !! important that you do not fly over this zone today. Of course we will deliver the adapted airspace files soon.

Friday Ok for flying, at Disentis or Flims Northerly winds In the morning low cloudbase because of the rain, but quick dissolution. Saturday Föhn, too much wind, in the afternoon cloudy, in the evening the front arrives with (much) precipitation in the night 2000m 30kn south Sunday Remaining clouds, sleep in, in the afternoon 6/8 clouds, low base, very, very small chance of a task. Monday 2000m SW 7-10kn, 3000m WSW 15kn Task towards East Tuesday to Thursday Westerly winds, generally looking good.

1 Maurer Christian Niviuk X-One Lowa, TeamWork, ADVANCE, SHV, YouCout 1573 2 Morgenthaler Stephan Ozone Enzo3 1556 3 von Känel Patrick ADVANCE Omega 3S Solar Plus, IEM Ingenieur, Aeroatelier 1517 4 Bollinger Tim Boomerang 12 1513 5 Vogel Ferdinand GER OZONE EnZo3 ferdinand-vogel.de 1508 6 Inniger Sepp Ozone Enzo 3 1499 7 Maurer Michael Ozone Enzo 3 1492 8 Trutmann Christoph Ozone ENZO 3 www.birdwing.ch 1487 9 Maissen Remo Ozone Enzo 3S Jack&Jones / Tarcisi Maissen SA / x- 1481 1 Walliser Nanda UP Guru UP Paragliders & High Adventure.ch 1567 2 Zufferey Emanuelle Enzo 3 Mood. Plug and Play 1464 3 Schrader Fabienne Ozone Zeolite GT 1245 1 Cox Steve Advance Sigma 11 1314 2 Birenstihl Andi Advance Sigma 11 / 24 1313 3 Sutter Bernhard Skywalk Cayenne 5 1310