French pilot Baptiste Lambert has won PWC Monroe, USA after a challenging week in which five tasks were completed in difficult conditions. Evan Bouchier (USA) came second and Colin Rathbun, from the British Virgin Islands, took third.
Violeta Jimenez won the female category after triumphing in the last two tasks while Alexia Fischer (USA) came second and Japan’s Jun Yomo (JPN) picked up third. The contest began with ‘exhilarating and daunting skies’ with the first two tasks cut short due to over development.
After several days of weather-related stopped and cancelled tasks, the competition finally got underway again with a 60km zigzag course through the valley set for the third task. Initially, strong thermals provided fast-paced flying, but as shadows began to move across the course, the race rhythm shifted. Pilots had to adjust their strategies during the more technically demanding sections as the shade caused weaker lift. Despite the changing conditions, 71 pilots made goal.
For the fourth task, organisers set a 104km course. Initially conditions looked promising but the day ended up far more demanding. Thermals started later than usual and didn’t reach the high altitudes of previous days. As a result, the start time was delayed to 14:15, with the task deadline set for 18:15. Early on, pilots made fast progress, but as they approached Salina, the race became a game of survival as pilots bombed out one after another, including some of the race leaders.
With just over 40km to go and a little over an hour left until the task deadline, the race became a thriller as the leading gaggle struggled to gain altitude or move forward, eventually bombing out as well. Ultimately the day belonged to Jay Cady, who made a bold decision to fly further east, along a higher ridge. This choice allowed him to fly just far enough to surpass the leading group and secure the task win.
The final task was a 118.65km course, which 49 pilots managed to complete. Japan’s Hiroaki Kobayashi won the day with France’s Baptiste Lambert arriving 52 seconds later to take the overall. Violeta Jimenez was first female to goal, arriving 18th overall, 15m 46s after Hiroaki.
The next PWC stop will be the Asian Tour India in Bir from 2 to 9 November.
RESULTS
OVERALL
- Baptiste Lambert, FRA, Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine, 2612.4 points
- Evan Bouchier, USA, Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine, 2590.4 points
- Colin Rathbun, VGB, Ozone Zeno 2/Ozone Submarine, 2590.2
WOMEN
- Violeta Jimenez, USA, Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine, 2536.9 points
- Alexia Fischer, USA, Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine, 2527.6 points
- Jun Yomo, JPN, Ozone Zeno 2/Niviuk Drifter 2, 2051.5 points
TEAMS
- Niviuk
- Flymaster
- Northwest Paragliding
