General

While pilots struggled with no-wind or even slight tailwind launches on the first two days, today they faced the opposite challenge. Winds were quite strong at launch for most of the launch window, only occasionally slowed down by thermals going off out front. But most pilot managed this very well. The task itself was also much more difficult, especially compare to Saturday's "up and down the Simmental" race. The crux was mid-way through, where pilots had to push into the (diminishing) westerly winds, over a snow-covered pass. Unfortunately, the cloud street that had been showing the way for over an hour had shaded the area to the point where it cut off its own thermal supply. Only those who squeezed out the absolute maximum before the crossing managed to tag that turnpoint on the first try. Most others had to fly back out quite a bit until they reconnected, some even came back to the eastern flanks for another attempt. In the end exactly half the field overcame this hurdle, and by far not only the top-performing wings. Timing, tenacity, observation and taking the time to climb to the very top was required. Most pilots deemed this this task a great learning experience. The fastest around the course was task 1 winner Charles de Beaufort, who secured the competition win. Right behind him followed Matteo Vosti, as first Junior and first Serial Class pilot. First and only woman in goal was Corina Heldstab. The competition podiums: Overall: 1. Charles de Beaufort (F) 2. Stephan Morgenthaler 3. Benjamin Frankhauser Women: 1. Corina Heldstab 2. Sarah Zimmermann 3. Manuela Pfrunder Sports Class: 1. Mattia Vosti 2. Frédéric Monnet 3. Thierry Stoll Juniors: 1. Mattia Vosti 2. Thierry Stoll 3. Jean Morisetti Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to all the pilots for your participation and the great atmosphere! And a huge thank you to Time2Fly, the Nordic Center Lenk, Lenk Tourism, Flugplatz St. Stephan and everybody else who contributed to a great competition.

60 km, up and down the Simmental, with a trip to the west in the middle that will not be easy. Follow the race in our live tracking.

Yesterday we flew an interesting and very tactical 80 km task in Bassano. The day was forecast to be quite stable with some west wind, and it actually started like that, but conditions improved during the flight with good thermals, even if the cloudbase stayed relatively low. After the start, we moved quickly along the ridge before jumping into the flatland for two turnpoints, where conditions were trickier because it was still early and not fully on. Staying high was important, especially because we were flying into the wind. After, we had to choose between going straight on course line or returning to the mountain, to get some more hight before going again on the take off area. The pilots who choose to go to the mountain early were faster than the ones who tried to continue straight After this, the western turnpoint was again more technical, with weaker conditions. A small group managed to stay high and save time, while others had to stop and climb again before heading to last part. One more TP in the flat and then direction to ESS where all the leading group tagged it very low and had to climb again before heading to the goal line It was again a very interesting and tactical day overall. Tomorrow is the last day of the competition, with good conditions expected again, hopefully another nice task to finish the event!

The glider forecast gives "good" thermals for the western Alps, with a top at 2600 to 3000 m AMSL. The wind is dying down (see the pictures). Sunshine almost all day long, with cumulus clouds and a little bit of high-level coverage in the afternoon. Looks like a good day. Get your tickets and go up from 10:00 (if Olli is ready earlier, we will let you know), briefing on the terrace at 12:00.

Today we had an 81.8km Task flying first out over the flats for the start then making a short detour back to the mountain to get height for the next TP over the Grappa Landing. We used the mountain a few times on the way to gain enough height as the day was predicted quite stable. Coming back to take off after two thirds of the Task we literally raced the whole ridge to the far west TP. Conditions seemed to have improved to wards the end as even pilots coming very low could take ESS and save them selves to goal by taking the brink of the mountain again. Text Steve Cox Fotos Martin Scheel

The high winds are caused by a cold front that is passing Switzerland to the east during the night. They are expected to calm down around noon tomorrow - at least according to the models that were right the last few days. Trackers and tickets will be available at the Nordic Center from 10 to 11. Go up and prepare for a task briefing at 12:00, and the launch window opening as early as 12:45, like we had it yesterday. Next meteo update tomorrow around 8:00, and then see you all up on the terrace!