It was a home win for Andrei Gaia (Niviuk Icepeak X-One) at the Paragliding World Cup in Romania last week. The Romanian pilot topped the podium after a three task competition. He beat Nicholas Dinh (FR, Ozone Enzo 3) and Ivan Centa (IT, Gin Boomerang 12) who were second and third.
In the Women’s competition Jinhee Baek (KO, Ozone Zeno) won ahead of Tomoko Yoshikawa (JP, Enzo 3) and Capucine Deliot (FR, Niviuk Peak 6).
As well as reports of pilots landing out coming face-to-face with real live bears in the woods (Brasov is home to a brown bear sanctuary – nearly 100 bears roam the hills) and suffering some bad weather the competition managed tasks on the Tuesday (76.3km) and then Friday (93.2km) and Saturday (69.9km).
Ruth Jessop reports:
task 1
With the best weather so far, blues skies and puffy clouds, a 76.3km, three turnpoint task was set. The route was a zigzag task northeast with the optimal route combining flats and mountains.
Today was all about whether you chose the route over the flats or the foothills. The foothills were stronger with better clouds. The pilots who chose this route weren’t pushing into wind with every single glide, instead it was a bit cross wind. It was further, but faster and allowed the pilots who took this route to get higher.
There were strong climbs at times, 3-4m/s. It was really tricky low down which was probably why the mountains worked better because the pilots could connect to climbs more easily there.
The last leg to goal dropped a few people. It was downwind making a fast leg into goal, with pilots registering 70km/h. It was a nice glide to goal – once you knew you were going to get in. Nico Dinh won the day.
It was a good fun day. Great task setting which spread the pilots out as we have rarely seen before. It was fantastic to get such a good task after the previous rainy days.
Overall podium Andrei Gaia, Nicolas Dinh and Ivan Centa. Photo: PWCA
TASK 2
An out and return 93.2km task north was set. The optimal start point was about 4km in front of the foothills, over the shopping mall on the outskirts of Brasov. There was a huge cloud where everyone went to wait for the start to open.
The plan was to take the start at 2,100m, but the huge cloud died and eventually it turned into survival mode, because the foothills were too far away, with just five minutes until the start opened. So, the pilots started the glide on the flats at about 1,800m.
Everyone went for the flats, where the clouds guided them to 1-2 m/s climbs, getting a little stronger at the tops. There were some quite sinky lines between the lift, so it paid off to top off the climbs and to stay behind to pick a floaty line. Getting to the foothills in the north, they encountered a strong headwind.
The wind increased during the day, peaking at 6m/s west at altitude close to turnpoint two (the furthest away turnpoint). Pilots who ended up lower, just above the foothills, struggled to get back out to the front with a strong headwind. This is where gaggles changed places. Staying high was key to avoid the stronger wind at low altitude.
Heading back south to goal was tricky, not knowing if the flats would still work considering the strong winds. The pilots faced big sink and slow climbs for the final 20+ km, so teamwork was key.
The last thermals were scarce and averaged 1-1.5m/s. There was a big blue hole in the sky. Therefore, only the most patient of pilots got to goal.
The first 28 pilots made goal. Jonathan Marin (FR, Enzo 3) won the day.
Women’s podium Jinhee Baek, Tomoko Yoshikawa and Capucine Deliot. Photo: PWCA
TASK 3
The day started off with lots of promise with tantalising beautiful blue skies. A 70km task taking the pilots on a triangular tour north of Sacele was set. It gave the field an option of taking the flats or the hills.
With most of the pilots managing to break through the inversion just in time for the start the main gaggle went for the hills with a very small group going for the flats.
Today was tricky from the start as the leaders started to get flushed out of the hills. The strong north westerly wind and weak thermals pushed the pilots up into the gullies in the hills so a lot of pilots fled the area. Some pilots managed to jump from one mountain to another to get to the first turn point.
The flats were possibly working better but having limited pilots to scout the air the gaggle in the hills took the lead.
After the first turnpoint the pilots pushed out into the flats under the cloudless blue skies. At one point it looked as if it was going to be a glide to the ground.
Victor Sirbirtsev flying the new Nearbirds harness. Photo: PWCA
After topping up to base the lead gaggle went on a long glide to the furthest turn point. By this time some of the pilots from the flats were on their heels.
For the rest of the way it was weak thermals and lots of leap frogging at the front as those who pushed out inevitably got low and had to throttle back.
There was a mix of survival climbs, pushing low and full bar to navigate the intermittent lift.
Between the third turnpoint and end of speed section it shaded over and there was a headwind. Some of the lead gaggle pushed a bit too low or too hard or too early and unfortunately bombed out. The remainder who had patience and got enough height were rewarded with goal.
Task 3 turned everything on its head. Well done to Andrei Gaia who was the first of this morning’s top ten to make goal and claimed the top spot on the podium and to Jinhee Baek, the only woman in goal.
It was a long day with pilots getting to goal just before the task deadline.
A big thank you to everyone who has made this such a diverse World Cup, to the pilots who made the most of every opportunity to do other things on the rainy days, from visiting Romania’s legendary castles and taking part in less weather dependent activities.
A big thank you to Anca our meet director, the Task Committee: Igor Casu, Martin Jovanoski and Stan Radzikowski. General organiser: Cristian Deacu.
Particular thanks to the chairlift at Bunloc and to the Mayor and town council in Brasov for their warm welcome.
Overall
1: Andrei GAIA
2: Nicolas DINH
3: Ivan CENTA
Women
1: Jinhee BAEK
2: Tomoko YOSHIKAWA
3: Capucine DELIOT
Best newcomer: Marcin Wirski
All the results are available here.
