Nordic Open is over

Yesterday was the last competition day at Nordic Open and the Swedish Championships in paragliding. Unfortunately I didn't fly as well as the other days, so missed two podium places but still got one.
Not a big deal - I have had a wonderful week with magnificent flying together with many friends.
Just what I needed.

Didn't make it to goal today but had a nice time anyway:-)

Sixth task at the Nordic Open

Today we flew task six at Nordic Open in paragliding in Ager, Spain. Close to 60 kilometers with beautiful clouds showing the lift.
I had a good day and climbed in the result lists. But there is one day left, so it's all really exciting.

Nordic Open day 3

The day started weak and hot. But suddenly the wind was booming and thermals turbulent. A task of 90 kilometers was set and off we went. For me it was a tad too windy for my low performance EN B glider. But I did my best and made 52 km along the course.
Now it is time for the barbecue!

Second day at Nordic Open

Second day was even better than first day. The task was over 100 kilometers and took us over several mountain ridges and valleys all the way to Organya. On the way I saw mountain goats and flew with big vultures.
This is turning into an epic Nordic Open. Lets see what today brings - the weather looks good.

Preparing the task

Flatland crossing at cloudbase

At cloudbase nobody can hear you scream. Just 20 km left to goal.

Vultures!

Goal in Organya

Paragliding in the Pyrenees

Today the Nordic Open and Swedish championships in paragliding started. The competition is held in Ager in the Spanish Pyrenees and attracts more than 110 pilots from all over the world.

With perfect weather for flying, a 71 kilometer long course was set. We flew over mountains and valleys, rivers and lakes. Now and then large vultures flew with us.

If the rest of the days will be similar, this is going to be an epic competition!

Swedish Championships

In the end we had four days with tough competition paragliding during the Swedish Championships. I learned many things from the other more experienced pilots and we had lots of fun. It is such a special thing to fly like a bird from cloud to cloud at more than 3000 meters of altitude.

Yesterday we had the last task. I fought for more than four hours in fickle air to try to make it to the top of the podium in my class. And I made it! Here are some photos from the last flight and the prize-giving.

Paragliding in Portugal

Last few days I have been paragliding in Portugal with some Swedish flying friends, staying at Arnold & Marie at Paraglide Portugal. We are here to compete in the Nordic Open and Swedish Championships - all very exciting.

We started with a training task a nice day. I made it 44 km down the track, not too bad for a newbie like me. Saturday 25th of June was the first competition day, blessed with beautiful flying weather. We got an 83 kilometer long task - impossible for me but a nice challenge. Or so I thought. In the end I actually made it all the way to goal, first time ever for me! It took four and half hour and it was fun all the way. The flight ended up being a personal best in distance.

Flying from Vole

Our third task in Nordic Open took off from Vole in strong winds.
The task was Vole - Ringebu - Frya, in total 71 kilometers. Lots of wind on launch, and after a bit more than an hour clouds closed down the thermals and put me and many others on the ground. Still managed 36,8 km XC which was 32,6 kilometers of the task.

That gave me 58th position out of the approximately 100 pilots competing. Not bad for a beginner!
These results are provisional so much can change.