News Archive

Due to the NE wind a 102km task, similar to yesterday, was set. Today we had much less cumulus cloud than the days before. Nevertheless were the thermals strong and reliable. Soon after the first turn point with was set east of the takeoff, the gaggle split up in two major groups. The groups rejoined after the second turn point just before the key spot of the task. To get the third turn point we had to cross the ridge we have crossed already many times in this competition. But due to the stronger winds the lee-side was tricky to get through. Maxime Pinot and some of the higher pilots managed to catch the thermal of the day on the luv-side of the ridge and escaped from the gaggle. By the time the other pilots had gained height and crossed the ridge the climb was gone. With only one turn point and the goal to go the leading group with Tim Bollinger and myself were able to pull about 5 minutes away from the others. Congratulations to the first Pilot in goal, Maxime Pinot!

Today we had a nice 127km task to the South. Because of the predicted NE-wind, it was more or less a one way flight with some in-and-out-turnpoints. Because we meant to fly far, the window opening, as well as the airstart was earlier than the days before. That caused already some problems, as the thermals did not work that well in the beginning. This is why a lot of pilots had left for the first turnpoint well bellow the cloud base. Once in the flats behind the Ibituruna the thermals worked well, even if they were often broken and never went up in one single thermal. As we were always pushed slightly by the backwind, the leading group never had any problem and stayed high most of the flight. Nice clouds showed us the way, even if the strongest thermals usually were not marked by clouds… It was a fast race and as soon as we got glide ratio 10/1 we went into final glide. It was a neck-by-neck race, with Idris first, Adrian second and me third, followed by Steff. Finally Russ won because of the leading points. Also Jan did very well today:)

Da Gestern einige Leute eine Retrive bis Mitternacht hatten, mit teils 5h Fussmarsch zurück in Zivilisation und anschliessender Rückreise, wurde heute nicht wie angesagt ein 140km Oneway geflogen. Die 92km Aufgabe begann am Startberg, Richtung Osten über den Fluss zum ersten TP. TP zwei war ca. 15km im Westen, von dort führte es zurück über den Takeoff Richtung Süden zum letzten TP. Die ESS war wie schon vor Zweitagen am Startberg. Der erste Teil zum ersten TP war für mich richtig schön zum Fliegen geile Wolkenstrassen gute Thermiken und grösstenteils alles geradeaus, bei der Boje war jedoch viel Schatten somit auch schlechte Thermik, jedoch fand Adi ein geiler Pump den ihn bis an die Basis katapultierte, wir hatten jedoch nur noch schwaches Steigen, dies reichte doch zum Glück um wieder Basis zu machen. Zum zweiten TP konnten wir dank zwei super Thermiken auch wieder sehr schnell fliegen. Zurück am Startberg wurde es zum ersten Mal Tricky da dieser umspült war wurde das Steigen im Lee nicht ganz einfach. Zum letzten Weg punkt Richtung Süden hatten wir leichten Gegenwind, auch die Verhältnisse wurden stabiler, so wurde das Steigen zu einer Geduldfrage. Einmal bei der Boje angekommen konnten wir jedoch dann mit Rückenwind Richtung ESS fliegen. Wie schon den ganzen Tag war auch auf den letzten Kilometer die Linienwahl sehr Match entscheidend. Eine kleine Gruppe zog schon Tief davon, ich ging mit der ersten grossen Gruppe, diese Flog direkt Richtung ESS. Ein Pilot vor mir zog eine super Linie bisschen neben der Gruppe an, auf diese konnten wir mit Fullspeed und ohne Höhenverlust in die ESS fliegen, während es die grosse Gruppe mit teils konstanten 4m sinken vor der ESS tief wieder zwinget Höhe zu machen. Adi, Mich und Jan flogen unmittelbar nach mir ein.

Today we had a 94km task in rather difficult conditions, because we had a lot of cirrus clouds on the course. The first turnpoint was to the South-Est and because of the shadow caused by these clouds, I flew alone more in the south. We had head wind, it means not easy to take the turnpoint. When I got it, I could climb well and quite high. The next turnpoint was far in the West, which was much easier because of back wind. I was leading again, but after the transition, I got quite low and the other pilots could catch up. We had shadow again but not to bad, we could take the turnpoint. Now we had to go the last 10km to the End of Speed Section and as you can guess, I got it low again. I needed to thermal with Patrick to get to the goal and we arrived both together in the top 20. Nice day for me, Tomorrow looks good again. Tim Overall: 1 Aaron DUROGATI ITA Gin Boomerang 11 2 Tim BOLLINGER CHE Gin Boomerang 11 3 Stefan WYSS CHE Ozone Zeno 4 Adrian HACHEN CHE Gin Boomerang 11 8 Michael SIGEL CHE Gin Boomerang 11

Today we had stronger thermals and higher cloud base than yesterday and therefor a slightly longer out and return task to the south. A big start cylinder was set about 1km south of the takeoff. Thermals proved to be quite cyclic and only five minutes to the air start a bunch of pilots, including myself, were back at takeoff altitude. But as the clouds got thinner and the sunlight reached the black mountain top we cached a strong climb which took us back to the gaggle. Soon after the start most the pilots were together in a big gaggle on the way south. Most of the escaped pilots found themselves low soon and were cached by the group. Some pilot‘s including Michael and Torsten Si(e)gel managed to pull away at after half of the outbound leg. Aaron and Myself were well placed in the more and more stretched main gaggle. After the turn point the light NE winds and some shades formed two new groups. The leading Pilot‘s decided to fly east to follow a ridge while the main group with about 70 Pilot‘s stayed on the shortest route. Aaron, Torsten and Myself pushed hard in the straight line and were able to overtake the leading group about 10km before the speed section. Aaron and Myself finished about 1 minute after the first pilot Maxime Pinot.

Nach einem guten und einem "normalen" brasilianischen Flugtag (vorgestern und gestern) gabs heute recht schwierige Verhältnisse. Die Aufgabe, ein Dreieck über 85 km, liess den Teilnehmern schon von Anfang an viele verschiedene Möglichkeiten, und so war das Feld meist ziemlich auseinander gezogen. Nach einem einfachen ersten Teilstück mussten wir eine grosse Abschattung überqueren, was für viele schon das vorzeitige Ende bedeutete, dabei leider auch Tim, Michi, Pädel und Yaël. Ich war ebenfalls sehr tief, und konnte mich nur mit viel Geduld und ebenso viel Glück wieder hochkämpfen. Never give up! Danach gings, endlich wieder an der Sonne, recht flott vorwärts, die Wolkenbasis war stellenweise über 2000 m hoch und die Thermik bis zu 5 m/s stark! Auf dem Rückweg wurde es dann zeitwese wieder sehr zäh, die Aufwinde seltener, schwächer und schwieriger zu finden. Auch hier musste mit viel Geduld, und möglichst in einer Gruppe geflogen werden, sonst stand man praktisch schon am Boden. Torsten Siegel z.B. war einmal bereits am Landen, als er ganz unverhofft von einer Termik "überrascht" wurde, welche ihn von seinem vermeintlichen Landeplatz wieder zurück ins Rennen beförderte. "Never give up" war heute die richige Devise! Schlussendlich erreichten rund 20 Piloten das Ziel, darunter auch Adi und ich. Jan verpasste es leider nur ganz knapp. Trotzdem kann unsere kleine, aber feine schweizer Truppe die Führung vor der riesigen französischen Übermacht behaupten... ? Morgen geht's weiter, hoffentlich mit wieder etwas sportlicheren Verhältnissen.

The start was about 2 kilometers from the take off in the East, as an Exit cylinder. It was quite easy to stay in the air because we had nice clouds. Then we went to the South for the first turnpoint. First I was a little bit in the back off the first group, but that is not a disadvantage, as it means it is a good position to choose the way to the waypoint. Next turnpoint was direction the West, which was the difficulty off today's task. We got high cloud's and some small cumulus and it was tricky to find the way to the turnpoint. I was with Michael Sigel, Adrian Hachen and Stefan Wyss together. Me and Stefan where lower then Adrian and Michael, but we could catch Adrian before the second turnpoint. From there Petra Sliviva was flying with us. Michi went alone and lost a lot of time because off this. Later we flew to the goal in the South. Together with Adrian, Stephan, Petra and me, we flew almost together some km, before Petra lost the contact. From there it was only us three, way ahead of all the others. Stefan was first over the Goal line, then Adrian and me. Again I could win because of the leading points. Adrian became 2. Stefan 3. and Michael 4. which is again a great result for the Swiss team?

When we got up to the take off, we could see quite a strong wind from the North-North-Est. For this reason they did a zig zag task to the South. The start was near the take off, Exit Start. It was not so easy to stay high but we could manage it. I took the start and went directly to the ridge; the other pilots took a thermals just after the start. I flew alone direction first turnpoint (to the East). When I turned around the mountain I could see a nice cloud, but this cloud was not working so well and I struggled. This is why the other pilots could catch up again. After the first turnpoint we flew direction West, I stayed with the first group until the second turnpoint. Then we went to the East again, where I was a little bit in the back off the leaders but before the third turnpoint the gap closed. From there we flew to the south, to the End of speed section and goal. It was a nice cloud street, because off this I flew quite early to the goal. Aaron was higher and faster than I was and finished first, but because of the leading points I got first today! Tomorrow looks good again:) Tim

Today was the official start of the competition day. The organizer set a 30km training task. However, most pilots were free flying and checked their equipment. Also the conditions were quite weak in the beginning and improved only later. However, as the registration started at 15:00, most pilots could not take advantage of the more sunny conditions later the day. In the evening was the mandatory safety briefing, as well as a free dinner! The weather forecast looks quite good. Keep your fingers crossed :) May be you still remember the tragic mining accident that happened at the Rio Doce that crosses Valadares: https://www.jungewelt.de/loginFailed.php?ref=/2015/11-19/038.php There should be a live tracking on the PWCA-Website.

Welcome to the reports for the Superfinal 2016 in Valadares/Brazil. Some of the Swiss team arrived already yesterday, most of the pilots will get there today or tomorrow. Although the forecast was bad with a lot of rain, we went up to the takeoff and could make a really good flight. It will be an interesting competition, as most of the pilots got new gliders. We will do an acclimatization in the next few days and start the comp with the training day on Tuesday, while the first task will be on Wednesday. Stay tuned:) Swiss pilots that are here: Yael Steff Wyss Adrian Tim Davide Jan Pädel Michael

Yael gewinnt beide Bewerbe - Gratulation!

Für ein Mal musste sich die Schweizer Delegation nicht von den über 40 anwesenden Franzosen geschlagen geben. Nebst Michael Küffer (Be) behaupteten sich Jan Sterren (Vs, Rang 4) und Michael Sigel (Be, Rang 6) in den top Ten. Geflogen wurden 5 Tagesaufgaben über 70, 63, 56, 55 und 35 km. Das Finale des Weltcups, an dem der PWCA-Weltmeister erkoren wird, findet vom 17.-28.1.2017 in Governador Valadares, Brasilien statt. 1 Michael KÜFFER CHE Gin Boomerang 10 2832 2 Simon PELLISSIER FRA Ozone EnZo 2 2818 3 Andre RAINSFORD ZAF Gin Boomerang 10 2809 4 Jan STERREN CHE Ozone EnZo 2 2790 5 Ludovic ROBERT FRA Ozone EnZo 2 2758 6 Michael SIGEL CHE Gin Boomerang 10 2746 Photos Day 1: https://goo.gl/photos/ebQbnbsjGqwDDzT86 Photos Day 2: https://goo.gl/photos/TTMFkoT2Z9tqmMbe8 Photos Day3: https://goo.gl/photos/WYqKPSyQSqKvC3bJA Photos Day 4: https://goo.gl/photos/TKjcsrFmovxziqdc6 Photos Day 5: https://goo.gl/photos/c1t5L25giCviiaJp8

So, auch dieser Weltcup ist vorbei. Es gab Gestern noch einen letzten 35km Lauf bei windigen Bedingungen. Während die bis anhin Führenden (Ludovic und Michael S.) mit grossem Rückstand ins Ziel kamen, lief es Michael K. deutlich besser. Auch Jan Sterren hat nur wenige Minuten auf den Sieger Simon Pellissier verloren. Die Bedingungen waren vor allem am Anfang vom Rennen sehr schwach, wurden dann aber besser. Leider sind sowohl Christoph, als auch Kusi abgestanden und sehr weit zurückgefallen. Doch: Michael K. hat es auf den ersten Platz gereicht und Jan wurde vierter!! Bei den Frauen hat Klaudia Bulgakov souverän gewonnen. Die Teamwertung gewannen wir (Küffer, Sigel, Rainsford und Delferriere) mit dem GIN Team. Leider konnten wir mit dem kleinen Team die 40 Franzosen nicht mehr abfangen, wurden aber zweite in der Nationenwertung. Jörg war leider ab dem zweiten Tag krank im Bett, während Gabi den Flow nicht so richtig gefunden hat. Die Schweizer: 1 Michael KÜFFER CHE Gin Boomerang 10 GIN Gliders 4 Jan STERREN CHE Ozone EnZo 2 pixon-ch.com 6 Michael SIGEL CHE Gin Boomerang 10 GIN Gliders - JACK&JONES - Naviter 18 Christoph TRUTMANN CHE Ozone EnZo 2 birdwing.ch 19 Markus ROSCHI CHE Gin Boomerang 10 UP International 38 Simon BONFADELLI CHE Ozone EnZo 2 74 Joerg EWALD CHE Ozone EnZo 2 Flytec 76 Gabriela METTLER CHE Niviuk Peak 4

As the locals forecasted today, the trade winds shifted more to a northern direction. Because of that the flying area is much less protected. On the takeoff the boundary with no wind and the wrong trade winds (50-70km) was clearly visible only a few kilometers to the north-west. This in mind, the task committee set a local 41km task. While the conditions were good in the beginning, they got more and more turbulent. Because of that the task was stopped and cancelled after 55 minutes. Update: They expect strong northerly wind and quite a lot of rain tomorrow morning. For this reason tomorrow (Friday) is cancelled

Today, the feared north wind stayed away and a 55km Task was set, an out and return around the tricky corner to the flat parts on the other side with landing in St. Leu. Conditions were remarkably better than yesterday and climbing to cloudbase at 1’300m was no problem. As expected and discussed before the task, the most difficult thing was (again) the part after 5km around the corner with headwind. Like in the two tasks before, many pilots bombed out there. We (5 Swiss pilots and a bunch of French guys) found ourselves in a gaggle with a comfortable lead over the second group. The thermals were quite nice and reliable with beautiful clouds. After 15km, I chose a line over the plains closer to the sea and had some fantastic thermals while the rest of the group closer to the mountains struggled with a lot of shade and weak climbs. I managed to get in front and after we turned around, Jan caught up. Together we flew back to goal quite defensively in weaker conditions. 10 minutes later, Michael Sigel flew over the line in third position! Christoph and Markus followed within 20 minutes, also in the top 15. Overall, there are now 5 Swiss in the top 10. In the nations ranking, we could catch up a little but it will probably be almost impossible to beat an army of 40 French pilots... Life’s still good down here, we just came back from the beach and tonight is the first pilots dinner in St. Leu. We still don’t know if the scary north wind will strike soon, our experience so far has shown that neither the forecast nor the weather judgement of local pilots can be trusted… We’ll see!

When we arrived on the takeoff, the task committee was already busy setting a task. The conditions seemed to be similar to yesterday, but the North wind should be stronger. Indeed, the big waves with white caps caused by strong winds are almost at the normal landing. That’s why the task was set to go to the South. After window open, pilots were still waiting, because the thermals in front of the takeoff were weak. But on the North side – caused by the convergence of the strong North wind – the thermals were strong and reliable. Thermals were so strong that the clouds produced a lot of shadow at the airstart (5km) and further to the first turnpoint. Like yesterday, the crux was to go around the corner as high as possible. But again, more than half of the field was too low to make it. Most of the Swiss pilots did very well but still found themselves scratching low on the slopes to the next plain. Because the sky was 100% overcasted, we had to fight for every meter. Luckily the conditions improved a lot and the cloudbase rose from 800m to 1400m. Especially our first group got a really nice cycle to the first and then back to the second turnpoint. Probably because of that, we got too enthusiastic and went too low into the final glide. Because of the rather strong South wind in this region we could not get it and had to fly back. 10min later Ludovic (local pilot) got a better line and managed to get to the ESS and down to the goal at the beach. All of my fellow pilots had to land, while I was scratching 50min between 300m and 500m just within a stone’s throw of the ESS. Finally I got a good climb and managed to get to goal as last – but also as second pilot. Michael Küffer also made the ESS, but had to land before the goal line. Also the other Swiss were flying well: 2. Michael Sigel 3. Michael Küffer 7. Markus ROSCHI 11. Christoph TRUTMANN 12. Jan STERREN The locals told us that the conditions do not look very nice for tomorrow, as the trade winds turn even more to the North...

Mit über 60km wurde heute ein recht ambitiöser Task gesetzt. Dabei wurde zwar dem auf NNE drehenden Passatwind Beachtung geschenkt und der Task Richtung Süden angesetzt. Jedoch wurde die Feuchte der Luftmasse stark unterschätzt. Die Stratocumuli waren so dicht, dass knapp 20 Piloten noch vor dem Luftstart der schwächelnden Thermik zum Opfer fielen, so auch Joerg und Gabi. Nach den angenehm starken Bedingungen gestern, war die Thermik heute verbreitet sehr schwach und das Höhe machen eine Geduld- und Ausdauersache. Mit den ca. 10 - 15 kmh Gegenwind und spärlichen Thermiken standen jedoch diejenigen, die nicht bereit waren sich für schwache Schläuche Zeit zu nehmen bald am Boden. Leider wurden aber auch diejenigen Piloten, die es schafften sich auf die Südwestseite der Insel zu kämpfen nicht belohnt und mussten in der völlig abgeschatteten Ebene nach knapp der Hälfte des Taskes landen. So die zwei Michi, Jan und auch Roschi. Da nur drei Piloten die Nomaldistanz von 30km erreichten, wurde der Task mit einer maximalen Punktzahl von 439 stark abgewertet. Hoffen wir auf weniger Feuchte und mehr Sonne morgen.

Heute wurde am Startplatz mit bester Aussicht auf den IndischenOzean ein 70km-task angesetzt. Dieser führte grösstenteils im Zickzack-Style an der vom Inselwind geschützten Westseite entlang. Tricky: der zweite Wendepunkt im Norden. Weil das Gelände meist gleichmässig schwach über eine Riesenfläche abfällt, fühlt sich's hier an, wie optimiertes Flachlandfliegen. Wenn also Gegenwind im Spiel ist, wird's hier schnell ziemlich taktisch. Teamleader Sigel empfiehlt uns deshalb, hier auf den "Defensivmodus" zu schalten. Dies funktionierte bei mir tiptop. Ich flog also den ersten Teil bewusst angriffig und über's Flat habe ich mich an die zwei offensiven Franzosen gehalten("mal schauen, was die machen"). Während des Rennens ging es thermisch zum Teil relativ zackig nach oben. So gut, dass es die abgestorbenen Zuckerrohrblätter beinahe haufenweise nach oben beförderte. Sigel setzte angriffig und früh den Anflug Richtung Ziel an. Einige andere und ich machten mehr Höhe, und optimierten seine Linie. Während wir so in einem Gegenwind-Hitchcock-Finale extrem knapp ins Ziel gleiteten, musste Sigel nochmal kurz Höhe machen und die erste Zehnergruppe und ihre Ausreisser ziehen lassen. Andernfalls wäre er ganz vorne dabei gewesen. Besonders noch: Gabi Mettler fliegt nach uns den Endanflug früh und clever via Küste und kann in den viel besseren Konditionen voll beschleunigen. Zum Schluss ein Rätsel (u.A. für Stephan Wyss): Bild3. Weshalb läuft das Krustentierchen nicht weg?