First task at Nordic Open

Today we flew the first task at Nordic Open in Vågå, Norway. It was 66 kilometers long over four turnpoints with take off from Juvass, approx 1600 meters over sea level. It was really cold, with snow on many places and skiing just a kilometer away. And we had lots of wind.

As this was my first competition flight ever I did not have high expectations. That was good. I had lots of fun but only made it through the start cylinder and the first turnpoint before getting drilled to the ground after 13 kilometers and 55 minutes. Then I spent lots of time with a Norwegian pilot before we were picked up.

Luckily, lots of other pilots flew better and many made it to goal. No results are out yet but it seems that Larsa Johnson made it into goal as first Swede and third in total, with Fredrik Lindholm coming in fourth - well done! Probably two Norwegians (one of them Ronny Helgesen) took first and second.
Soon there should be results here.

Up the mountain

Arrived at Raubergstulen 1000 meters above sea level and close to
Galdhøpiggen. Time for lunch and parawaiting. Maybe we can fly later,
it snowed just a minute ago.

Vågå Sunday evening

Vågå is a tiny little village up in the Norwegian mountains, not far from the country's highest peak Galdhøpiggen (2469 meters above sea level).
This is also the location for the Norwegian air sports centre and right now, the venue for the Nordic Open in paragliding. So that's why I am here, to compete in my first paragliding competition ever.
Nordic Open is an International competition with more than 110 participants this year. But it is also the Swedish Championships.

I am here to watch and learn, to have fun and of course to write about it in Hypoxia. Today was the first day of competition, and I am doing really well. In fact so well that I am sharing first place in the comp right now! Of course, it might have something to do with that the flying was cancelled today due to strong winds. But I see it as a good sign :-)

Lundagård 90 år

Boating in the sun with Maarten, Femke and Hanna

At a lakeside terrace with Femke and the parents-in-law

Rotterdam by night

Barbeque on the balcony

Femke bought a barbeque while I was in France working. Today was B-day
with Femke happily grilling away on our balcony. Lamb burgers!

Out biking in the sun

Finally back in Amsterdam me and Femke took our new bikes out for a
ride to Nieuwendam and lovely Cafe 't Sluisje. And the sun is shining!

Last flying day in Annecy

Today was my last day of flying in the Annecy area. And what a day! The weather was perfect with lots of sun and weak winds, which gave me the chance to explore the region a bit more.
In the end I flew a 46 kilometer triangle, turning at Parmelan, La Tournette and Roc de Boeufs (on the other side of the lake). After three hour pure joy I landed and had a landing beer with Pål and Martin.
In the evening i checked in to a hotel in Annecy and had a simple dinner on a terrace. The coming three days I will spend here for a travel story.