Competition News

The PWC in India which is taking place in Panchgani has started off today with a Task of 73km.
After we had a ruff flight yesterday with very turbulent conditions, where we had thermals with 7m/s average and peak thermals up to 9m/s, we were looking for a way smoother flight today. The conditions were nice and not as bumpy as the day before with an average of 4-5m/s climbs and top thermals around 7m/s. A 73km Task was set where different options could be taken to reach the fist turnpoint.
A small group of around 5-6 pilots including Tim and me were heading more south in the start cylinder in order to take a more direct line to the first turnpoint. We were efficient and reached turnpoint 1 around 3-4 minutes ahead of the other gaggle which was lead by Michael Sigel. Tim was pushing hard, but was getting low. So it was Michael an myself flying high in front towards Turnpoint 2 which was leading us back over the take off area and more south of Panchgani. It was very straight forward and we always found climbs where we needed them.
Meanwhile Tim was trying to catch up and took his own approach with the most possible direct line through the flats. At the second last turnpoint he was with us again, but a few 100 meters lower.
Noé Court was pushing hard as well and was able to fly towards the last turnpoint together with Michi and me, where Michi was controlling the field very nicely with a good amount of more height.
After the last turnpoint we had a final glide of around 15km with a tiny bit of headwind. I was starting around 100m lower than the others, but caught e very good line which allowed me to arrive with the same height at the ESS as Michi Sigel which was one of the highest.
Michi arrived first, just 1 second ahead of me, but with the lead I had at the beginning, I won with the leading points. Also Noé Court arrived just 10 seconds after. Also Tim was pushing behind and reached goal with only 7 minutes behind. With an average speed of 40.8km/h it was a very fast and super nice task.
All the other swiss guys made it to the ESS as well. Unfortunately Benjamin Fankhauser who arrived only 5 minutes after the first pilots, landed 1km short before the line, after making it to the ESS.
The next days are looking great as well and we are looking forward to some epic tasks.
Cheers from India
Dominik