Stefan Bernhard. Photo: Ed Ewing
Stefan Bernhard (DE) won the Ozone Chabre Open 2014, which was held in Laragne, France from 28 June to 4 July.
He won all three tasks, beating UK pilot Pete Chalmers into second place. Mark Graham (GB) was third.
In the Women’s class Switzerland’s Catherine Bartholdi came first flying an Ozone Alpina 2. Anna Hadders (SV) and Gill Le Gras (GB) were in second and third position.
Catherine Bartholdi. Photo: Ed Ewing
The competition saw three valid tasks, with the longest an elapsed time 53.8km task from take off on the mountain of Chabre to a landing near the town of Gap. Stefan Bernhard won the task in a quick 1:41:30, with 35 in goal. Classic conditions saw 3,150m cloudbase and good climbs after a day that started inverted and blue.
The Ozone Chabre Open is one of the most popular ‘fun’ comps on the international circuit. Started nine years ago as an ‘anti-comp’ and aimed at weekend pilots and those new to competition flying, it places emphasis on fun, learning and mentoring.
Jocky Sanderson, SIV guru and filmmaker, is meet director, with a team of local and international pilots on the organising team.
Scorer Mark Graham said the competition had never been more popular: “This year we filled the comp with 130 fully paid-up pilots in under 10 hours and had nearly the same number again on the waiting list.”
In keeping with the spirit of the event the biggest prize doesn’t go to the winning pilot. Instead a raffle at the end of the comp decided who wins a free Ozone paraglider of their choice. This year Scottish pilot Dave Aitkenhead was the lucky winner.
Dave Aitkenhead. Photo: Ed Ewing
The only pilot flying an EN A glider in the comp he said he was “over the moon” and would choose an Ozone Geo 4.
Climbing out from take off on the mountain of Chabre on Task 3. Photo: Martijn Van Dijk
On track on Task 3, above the village of Orpierre. Photo: Martijn Van Dijk
Overall winners. Left to right is Jocky Sanderson (meet director), Pete Chalmers, prize sponsor and glider pilot Klaus Ohlmann, winner Stefan Bernhard, Mark Graham and organiser Dave Owen. Photo: Ed Ewing
Women’s Top 5. Left to right: Jocky Sanderson, Saane Both (5th), Jenni Fleming (4th), Catherine Bartholdi (1st), Gill Le Gras (3rd), Anne Hadders (2nd) and organise Dave Owen. Photo: Ed Ewing
See more photos, video and more on the Facebook page (no account required).
Full results at www.flylaragne.com.
Cross Country is a media supporter and prize sponsor of the Ozone Chabre Open.
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