News Archive

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

Am Start gab es sozusagen vier Stockwerke: Die Top-Guppe oben schaffte es auf über 3000m auf den Airstart zu warten, die meisten waren so auf knapp Bettmerhornhöhe, dann viele auf gut Startplatzhöhe und … einige kratzten noch unter dem Start. Bis Belalp mischten sich die oberen beiden Gruppen zusammen, dort wurde den Hängen entlang geheizt, am Riederhorn wurde an den Hängen gekurbelt, dass die Bäume wackelten und mit dem Wind gets nach Bellwald, zurück zur Bettmeralp wurde es sportlich und die Sportklasse stand schon beinahe im Wind. Vor Chäserstatt stand die Thermik - gut für die Sportklassepiloten, die das Goal in Fiesch gegen den Wind sonst kaum erreicht hätten. 56 Piloten im Goal, beinahe alle mit strahlenden Gesichtern, der beste Task der Woche, unglaubliche Eindrücke neben der Wolkenwand, angenehme Thermik und auf weite Strecken wenig Wind. Nur das Thema Wolkenflug wurde von wenigen diskutiert - ein Thema, das ebinahe an jedem Wettklampf zu reden gibt (Abhilfe naht in Form von kleinen Helmkameras, wie mir Chrigel berichtet). Die Frage die zur Minute bewegt: Wer ist Schweizermeister? Chrigel oder Steph? Bei dem Damen ist es Nanda Walliser, in der Sportklasse Ex-Weltmeister Steve Cox, aber bei den Herren?

Meteo and Info Saturday, Sunday Samstag: Viele Wolken, Auflockerung vor der Mittagszeit, 2/8 Cumuli, Basis steigt auf 2700, 2800 Schauer ab 15 Uhr südlich von uns. Mässige, am Nachmittag mässig-gute Thermik Ab Mittag Einsetzen eines mässigen Westwindes (14h: 2000m 10-15kmh, 3000m 15-20kmh, westlich von Brig wesentlich mehr) Lunchbags 9:30 Briefing Kühboden 10:30 Sonntag: In der Nacht Niederschlag, tiefe Basis, kurze Aufhellungen möglich, ab er keine Chance für einen gültigen Task. Der Sonntag ist abgesagt. *************************************** *************************************** Saturday: Lots of clouds, clearing before noon, 2/8 cumuli, base rising to 2700, 2800. Showers from 3pm south of us. Moderate, in the afternoon moderate-good thermals. From noon onwards onset of a moderate westerly wind (14h: 2000m 10-15kmh, 3000m 15-20kmh, west of Brig much more) Lunch bags 9:30 Briefing Kühboden 10:30 Sunday: Overnight precipitation, low base, short brightenings possible, ab er no chance for a valid task. Sunday is cancelled.

Das Tasksetterteam (Michi Sigel, Sebi Eyer, Adi Seitz, Christph Trutmann Chrigel Maurer und ich) hat sich für früh und kurz entschieden. Eine Abschattung lässt viele Piloten denken, dass der Task nicht gestartet wird, aber mit der Sonne geht es dann doch. Allerdings schwach und mit zügigem Westwind, was es für die einfacheren Schirme schwierig macht. Dieser Task bringt die Reihenfolge immer wieder durcheinander. Zuerst war es sehr entscheidend, wie hoch man von der ersten Boje an den Hang zurück kam. Da zählte jeder Meter. Und weil es auf der Südseite des Goms kaum Thermik hat, wechselte eine Gruppe die Talseite, kommen dort aber auch nicht genug hoch, um den Airspace des Flugplatzes Münster zu um- oder überfliegen. Einzig Tim Bollinger schafft es, Maurer, Morgenthaler und andere werden zur Landung gezwungen. Profitiert hat Michi Maurer, der vor Michu Witschi und Jonáš Horáek den Task über die Südseite des Goms fliegt und souverän gewinnt. Bei den Damen ist es Emanuelle Zufferey, die als einzige Dame das Ziel erreicht. Der Durchgang gibt nicht viele Maximalpunkte und verändert deswegen die Gesamtrangliste nur wenig.

Windzunahme am Mittag, ähnlich wie gestern, etwas stärker aber mehr SW. Ich rechne mit etwas mehr Wind, aber angenehmere Thermik. Labilität ist deutlich besser, unten etwas Stabilität, aber ab Mittag gut. Quellwolken, Basis 3500 und höher. Ab 15h Überentwicklungen in der Region, 17h präfrontale Gewitterfront. Vielleicht können wir einen Task bis um 14h machen. Wir gehen früh hoch: - Lunchbags 8:30 - Briefing Kühboden 9:30 Gleicher Task? Wind increase at noon, similar to yesterday, a little stronger but more SW. I expect a little bit more wind, but more pleasant thermals. Lability is much better, some stability below, but good from noon. Cumulus, base 3500 and higher. From 15h overdevelopments in the area, prefrontal thunderstorm front at 17h. Maybe we can do a task until 14h. We go up early: - Lunchbags 8:30 - Briefing Kühboden 9:30 Same Task?

Thermisch schwierige Bedingungen und etwa 20km/h Wind. Die in Bellwald führenden 4 Piloten fliegen ins Lee von Bellwald und müssen Landen. Die Linie auf der Südseite erweist sich als effizient. Overall 1 Maurer Christian M SUI Advanve Omega Lowa, TeamWork, ADVANCE 959.5 2 von Känel Patrick M SUI ADVANCE Omega 3S Solar Plus, IEM Ingenieur 917.0 3 Morgenthaler Stephan M SUI Ozone Enzo3 910.9 Damen 1 Walliser Nanda F SUI UP Guru UP Paragliders & High Adventure.ch 979.6 2 Zufferey Emanuelle F SUI Enzo 3 Mood. Plug and Play 860.4 3 Schrader Fabienne F SUI LM7 854.4 Sportklasse 1 Sutter Bernhard M SUI Skywalk Cayenne 5 945.5 2 Birenstihl Andi M SUI Advance Sigma 11 / 24 911.2 3 Cox Steve M SUI Advance Sigma 11 905.2

Only small cumuli Base rising from 2500 to 2800, in the high Alps towards the east higher (Grimsel-Oberalppass 3200, Disentis 3400). Gradient at 8 a.m. 0.4, in the afternoon 0.7. Thermals disturbed by warm air advection. Wind: Moderate valley winds 2000-2800m: At noon around 10kmh W to SW. In the afternoon increasing to 15-20kmh 3000m: 15kmh W, increasing to 25kmh. In the west clearly stronger wind than towards the east. I expect a moderately fun day. Difficult thermals and wind. Big problem is Münster airfield. We are not allowed to pass the Galmihorn hut before 2 pm. - Lunchbags 9:00 - Briefing Kühboden 10:00 ************************************* Nur kleine Kumuli Basis von 2500 auf 2800 steigend, in den Hochalpen gegen Osten höher (Grimsel-Oberalppass 3200, Disentis 3400) Gradient um 8 Uhr 0.4, am Nachmittag 0.7. Thermik gestört durch Warmluftadvektion. Wind: Mässige Talwinde 2000-2800m: Am Mittag um die 10kmh W bis SW Am Nachmittag zunehmend auf 15-20kmh 3000m: 15kmh W, zunehmend auf 25kmh Im Westen deutlich stärkerer Wind als gegen Osten. Ich erwarte einen mässig lustigen Tag. Mühsame Thermik und Wind. Grosses Problem ist der Flugplatz Münster. Wir dürfen an der Galmihornhütte nicht vor 14 Uhr vorbei. - Lunchbags 9:00 - Briefing Kühboden 10:00

Meteo ********* Etwas Niederschlag um 10, 11h Ab Mittag Bewölkungsauflockerung, um 14h 4/8 Cumuli 2300 Wind wird ab 14h stärker, ab 15h zu stark 13h: Boden 7-10kn 2000m 7-10kn 3000m 15kn Basis 2400 15h: Boden 10-20kn 1500-2500 wird der Wind am stärksten sein: 20-25kn 3000m 20-25kn „Basis" 3000 Untere Luftschichten labil: Schnelle Entwicklung von Thermik Wir rechnen mit einem sehr kurzen Fenster zwischen Wolken und Wind Entscheidung **************** Nach vertiefter Diskussion hat das Taskkomitee beschlossen, den Tag abzusagen. Dies aus folgenden Gründen: 1) Sicherheit: Der Wind ist unberechenbar. - Lees - Auch wenn der Task gestoppt wird, bleibt die Landung allenfalls heikel 2) Luftraum: - bei tiefer Basis über den Luftraum Münster fliegen zu lassen führt beinahe sicher zu Luftraumverletzungen. Die Situation mit Münster ist im Moment angespannt. Luftraumverletzungen müssen unbedingt vermieden werden. - wenn der Task im Goms gestoppt wird, landen dutzende Piloten im Luftraum… 3) Sportlicher Wert: Auch im besten Fall ist der sportliche Wert eines 35km-Rückenwindtaskes zweifelhaft. Info für Donnerstag ********************** Nächste Info für morgen Donnerstag um 19 Uhr. Es sieht ok aus, wahrscheinlich fahren wir früh auf Kühboden. ******************************************** ******************************************** Swiss Open: Day canceld Meteo ********* Some precipitation at 10, 11h From noon clouds clearing, at 14h 4/8 cumuli 2300 Wind becoming stronger from 14h, too strong from 15h onwards 13h: Ground 7-10kn 2000m 7-10kn 3000m 15kn base 2400 15h: Ground 10-20kn 1500-2500 the wind will be strongest: 20-25kn 3000m 20-25kn "Base 3000 Lower air layers unstable: Rapid development of thermals We expect a very short window between clouds and wind Decision **************** After in-depth discussion, the Task Committee decided to cancel the day. This was for the following reasons: 1) Safety: The wind is unpredictable. - Lees - Even if the task is stopped, the landing remains tricky at best. 2) Airspace: - Flying at low base over Munster airspace will almost certainly lead to airspace violations. The situation with Münster is tense at the moment. Airspace violations must be avoided at all costs. - if the task is stopped in Goms, dozens of pilots will land in the airspace... 3) Sporting value: Even in the best case, the sporting value of a 35km tailwind task is doubtful. Info for Thursday ********************** Next info for tomorrow Thursday at 7pm. It looks ok, probably we will go to Kühboden early.