So far so good at the Paragliding World Cup, being hosted by the prestigious paragliding destination of Governador Valadares. Having hosted multiple international free flight competitions for it being the home of the world class Ibituruna peak, its population is more than used to international visitors. Having their citizenship a reputation for emmigrating to foreign lands, the more the merrier, or so they say.
From this perhaps comes the strong connection pilots have with the city's citizens. Bulgarian pilot Yassen Sasov continues to rave of the warm welcome he has felt since his arrival. "I have flown all over the world in even stronger and more challenging conditions, but this place has something intangible, like magic" he professes.
Eleven times brazilian champion world class pilot Frank Brown concurs by the force of his experience of 32 years flying the place: "we have had quality competitions here, to put it mildly, here in valadares since we started having the city host free flight competitions."
The first two days had marvelous weather, providing pilots with fast windless transitions and we had no safety procedures recorded, said the Brazilian Free Flight Association spokesperson Leonardo Bassani. "Pilots flew rather simple tasks designed to test the site and weather potential ahead. We wanted to let pilots enjoy getting acustomed to their brand new glider designs."
The media was present at the event every single day and sizable and rather cheerful crowds graced the river side goal line right in the middle of town. They celebrated the fact that despite almost being cancelled the local flying club with the generous help of the city government. "The event was supposed to be held at Baixo Guandu near the celebrated flying site of Castelo, but the town fell victim to some of the worst weather in its history and we almost had to cancel the PWC. However in what seemed like a miracle the "GV" pilots, their friends, the city government and local law enforcement agencies made happen what can only be described as a world class event in only 10 days, something which normally would take a year to organize. We were impressed with their near miraculous level of resolve, said Goran Dimiskovski of the PWC leadership.
The third competition day had decent weather but not good enough for anybody to make goal. The challenging weather was the chance given to veteran pilots with local kownledge of the place to put themselves atop the younger generation which so far were holding a strong lead over the older guys. The day's top spot was taken by Pepe Malecki and Luca Donini took third place.
Overall, the competition has been fierce and pilots sharp as ever witnessed by organizers. One hundred points separate the twenty best ranked pilots so far and from what pilots say, there are at least fifty pilots with real chances of winning tasks. Pilots also reported high quality thermal activity, height increases upwards of 2000 meters and speedy transitions. THe three valid tasks were followed by a rest day and a cancelled task with pilots parawaiting and ridge soaring the Ibituruna peak with incredible displays of technique. We got to witness amazing wingovers with gliders dragging wingtips through the terrain, loops followed by top landings that only these guys can do. We just had to sit there, astounded and happy to be there.
From this perhaps comes the strong connection pilots have with the city's citizens. Bulgarian pilot Yassen Sasov continues to rave of the warm welcome he has felt since his arrival. "I have flown all over the world in even stronger and more challenging conditions, but this place has something intangible, like magic" he professes.
Eleven times brazilian champion world class pilot Frank Brown concurs by the force of his experience of 32 years flying the place: "we have had quality competitions here, to put it mildly, here in valadares since we started having the city host free flight competitions."
The first two days had marvelous weather, providing pilots with fast windless transitions and we had no safety procedures recorded, said the Brazilian Free Flight Association spokesperson Leonardo Bassani. "Pilots flew rather simple tasks designed to test the site and weather potential ahead. We wanted to let pilots enjoy getting acustomed to their brand new glider designs."
The media was present at the event every single day and sizable and rather cheerful crowds graced the river side goal line right in the middle of town. They celebrated the fact that despite almost being cancelled the local flying club with the generous help of the city government. "The event was supposed to be held at Baixo Guandu near the celebrated flying site of Castelo, but the town fell victim to some of the worst weather in its history and we almost had to cancel the PWC. However in what seemed like a miracle the "GV" pilots, their friends, the city government and local law enforcement agencies made happen what can only be described as a world class event in only 10 days, something which normally would take a year to organize. We were impressed with their near miraculous level of resolve, said Goran Dimiskovski of the PWC leadership.
The third competition day had decent weather but not good enough for anybody to make goal. The challenging weather was the chance given to veteran pilots with local kownledge of the place to put themselves atop the younger generation which so far were holding a strong lead over the older guys. The day's top spot was taken by Pepe Malecki and Luca Donini took third place.
Overall, the competition has been fierce and pilots sharp as ever witnessed by organizers. One hundred points separate the twenty best ranked pilots so far and from what pilots say, there are at least fifty pilots with real chances of winning tasks. Pilots also reported high quality thermal activity, height increases upwards of 2000 meters and speedy transitions. THe three valid tasks were followed by a rest day and a cancelled task with pilots parawaiting and ridge soaring the Ibituruna peak with incredible displays of technique. We got to witness amazing wingovers with gliders dragging wingtips through the terrain, loops followed by top landings that only these guys can do. We just had to sit there, astounded and happy to be there.
The weather looks promising for at least 3 more great task days. For complete results and information, please visit:
Contact leobassani1@gmail.com
