Magnus Österberg vann SM, Bjørn Skarpås vann NM

Nu är det nordiska mästerskapet över. Tyvärr blev inte NM giltigt eftersom det krävs en sammanlagd poäng från varje taskvinnare på 1500 poäng.
Men tävlingen har likafullt vinnare. Norrmannen Bjørn Skarpås vann, tätt följd av landsmannen och veteranen Ronny Helgesen. Amerikanen Greg Babush kom trea och schweiziska Susanne Wyss vann damtävlingen.
Susanne vann också serieklassen och svenske Roger ”Kalle” Jönsson (CPS) kom trea. Grattis!

Svenska mästerskapen avgjordes i samma tävling, och SM blev faktiskt giltigt eftersom det bara krävs sammanlagd poäng från taskvinnarna på 1000 poäng. Magnus Österberg (Cirrus) blev bäste svensk i första heatet och Stefan ”Rolle” Rolén (Åre skärm och drakflygklubb) bäste svensk i andra heatet.

Total vinnare i SM blev därmed Magnus Österberg – gratulerar!
Rolle Rolén blev tvåa och Kalle Jönsson trea – grattis till er alla!
Anna Rydh vann damklassen i SM – grattis till henne med!

Photos from the last task in Nordic Open

Today was the last task in Nordic Open 2009. The day started beautifully with blue skies and lots of sun. But as the pilots gathered at take off, the clouds were gathering.

In the end, an ambitious almost 60 kilometers long task was set and a ground start was declared. That means that everybody takes off at the same time and that is counted as the start of the task (normally, there is a start cylinder in the air, where everybody gathers and then there is a start at a certain time, a bit like in sailing).

A big gaggle formed in front of the take off, and another one further away, close to the ridge. But then the clouds moved in and it started to rain a little. A lot of pilots had to land when the lift died, but some managed to fly on.
However, they ran into more rain and in the end, the task was stopped. Pilots are still downloading their tracklogs, but a result is expected soon.

I stayed on take off, taking photos, until most of the competition pilots were away. Then I launched as well, but then, the lift was gone and rain was in the air. I did make it to the official landing, some eight kilometers down the line, which took me further or as far than many of the competitors :-)

Photos from first task

Here are some photos from the first valid task at Nordic Open in paragliding in Preddvor, Slovenia. I will create a web page with lots of photos later, unfortunately, the internet at the hotel is too slow to upload it from here.

The task was 32 km long and the fastest pilots flew it in around 54 minutes.

Bjørn Skarpås (Norway) won the day, with Greg Babush (USA) second and Bjørn’s brother Thomas Skarpås third.
Magnus Österberg was the best Swede (8th in total) followed by Stefan Rolen (21st in total) and Roger Jönsson (26).

The full result can be downloaded here.

Golden evening in Preddvor

When it is not raining, Preddvor is stunningly beautiful. Hotel Bor is situated just by the lake.

It stopped raining!

After a thunderous night, I woke up to pouring rain here in Slovenia. Not good for a paragliding competition. But behold – in the afternoon it actually stopped to rain! I joined to Swedish pilot for an excursion to Bled and Bohinj, and here, the sun was out, warming our gloomy souls. Maybe it will even be possible to go flying tomorrow?

I also had the chance to interview Jouni from Finland, the first Nordic competitor in the gruelling endurance paragliding competition Red Bull X-Alps. With the help of his supporter Toni, he is going tot try and fly, walk and run from Austria to Monaco via several waypoints, criss-crossing the alps. The start is 19th of July, don't miss to follow the exciting race over the internet.

Wet in Slovenia

Right now, I am in Preddvor, Slovenia to write about the Nordic and Swedish Championships in paragliding
But the weather does not cooperate. We have lots of rain and thunder, which is unsafe to fly in.

Instead, I joined a few other Swedish pilots and drove down to the Postojnska Cave for some sightseeing. We are all hoping for better weather, although the forecasts look gloomy.

Nice weekend in Utrect

Back in Amsterdam again after a great long-weekend in Utrecht, doing research for a story. Lots of bars and restaurants, but also managed to meet some friends, and Femke came over as well (BTW, she is now in Monrovia, Liberia).

Here’s a bunch of photos.

Now I have to pack, tomorrow it’s time for Preddvor in Northern Slovenia, and the Nordic Open in paragliding.