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.

Sintra and Lisbon

Had a slow morning, working in the hotelroom (and sleeping after the long fado night). In the afternoon I jumped on a train to Sintra, a hilly and beautiful place, but full of tourists. Had a leisurely evening in Lisbon with terraces and views, sometimes combined, sometimes not.
Now time to pack, off to Serra da Estrela tomorrow morning for the Swedish Championships and Nordic Open in paragliding.

Some photos from Lisbon

Last few days I have been in Lisbon for some work. I really like this city, it is full of joy and charming alleys. Not to mention the bars and little restaurants.
Yesterday night I had a very special evening at a Fado place.The venue was an old tiled former chapel, smaller than my (admittingly large) living room. Two fantastic guitarists and all in all seven singers performed. Due to exhaustion I had to leave close to three o'clock, then they were still playing. Such a beautiful evening!

Hiking in the Estrela mountains

Yesterday we left Lisbon for Linhares in the Estrela mountains. We're staying with Arnold at Paraglide Portugal and started our short stay with two afternoon flights yesterday and a lovely dinner.
Today we did a refreshing hike up the mountains in the national park. Now we are looking forward to some lunch, then hopefully some more paragliding in the afternoon.