Stefan Schmoker died in an accident during the World Paragliding Championships 2009 in Mexico. A week later Andy Aebi became World Champion. Advance released this public letter following the competition
Andy Aebi
Deepest grieving for Stefan Schmoker
The shock of it hit us hard. On January 30th the news of our team pilot Stefan Schmoker’s fatal accident reached us. This tragic event had the deepest effects on not just those at the competition, but on friends and pilots over the world. The employees and associates of Advance have Stefan’s family and friends in their thoughts and express the deepest condolences to them. Stefan was not only an extremely personable individual, but within his 25 years had reached the genuine pinnacle of paragliding. After his 3rd place overall in the 2008 PWC, and the PWC win in Brasil last year, he stood as a hot favourite for this World Championship.
With our whole heart we’d like to thank our team pilot Heli Eichholzer who, in an exemplary manner, landed by Stefan shortly after the accident to be with him during his last hours. At the same time Martin Scheel, Swiss team manager, provided help and support to the whole Swiss team with much humanity and warmth in these difficult days. Many thanks, Heli and Martin.
Difficult competition
Stefan’s death was a hard blow for this 11th World Championships. The contest was suspended for two days. During this period the pilots made a memorial flight from El Peñon, where there was also a memorial service. The time was also used to discuss the way forward. After agreement with Stefan’s relatives the team pilots finally decided to continue taking part in the championship, certain this would have been what Stefan would have wished. The tragic event dominated the thoughts and feelings of the pilots in the air and on the ground during the remainder of the competition.
The course of this outstandingly well organised contest was, from the sporting point of view, very demanding and tense. Above all the number (11) and lengths of the tasks, all between 75 and 120 Km, tested the endurance of the pilots. There’s never been a World Championship like it before !
We congratulate World Champion Andy Aebi
By the end of the sixth task our team pilot and last year’s world cup winner Andy Aebi had taken the lead and kept it up to the finish. Swiss pilot Stefan Wyss finished second, Slovenian Aljaz Valic third. We were also especially pleased that our new Team Advance member Tomas Brauner pushed his way up the results to finish the competition in fourth place (and gold medal in the country ranking !). Further results from our team pilots : Heli Eichholzer 8th, Christian Maurer 16th, Jinoh Kim 21st, Jeremie Lager 30th and Andy Hediger 34th. Hearty congratulations all round!
This means that Advance have fielded a world champion for the third time in the 20 year history of the company. We will be celebrating this title with our pilots in an appropriate way to show our appreciation for their efforts and recognise their wonderful performances.
Stefan will be in our thoughts for a long time to come.
All information about the competition : www.pwmex2009.com
With our best regards.
Valéry Chapuis
Team Advance
