The video from Slovenian open 2009

Slovenian open 2009 from Matjaz Klemencic on Vimeo.

For better quality use the link to vimeo

Pictures from Slovenian open 2009

The end

So the competition has ended. We flew 4 tasks in very different weather conditions, from mild weather caused by westerly winds to more complicated flying in easterly winds. We try to use XCskies (www.xcskies.com) but it seems that their model is not very good for Posočje area, steep, rocky mountains and valley systems are probably to much complicated for those general models.
The overall winner is Primož Gričar (Slovenia), winnig all three out of four tasks. Second place was Thomas Weissenberge (Austria) and third place belongs to Gerd Doenhuber (Germany).
Two pilots, Gerolf Heinrichs and Flemming Lauridsen, showed great sportsmanship when landing in the middle of the third task to assist the pilot, who crashed landed on the hill side. Fortunately pilot was rescued by the mountain rescue service and suffered only minor injuries.
Overall we had a great competition with a lot of friendship among the pilots and organizers, who have learned some lessons, just to improve next year competition.

Fourth task

Fourth task was not that long, but with tricky first and second turnpoint, so there was a lot pilots landing at about 30 km. Gerolf Heinrichs won the day with healthy margin of 8 minutes in front of Primož Gričar who was followes by closely, just 7 seconds, by David Shields. Gerolf was realy supprised at goal field thinking he missed did something wrong in the task being so fast. After checking turnpoints he realy got big smile on his face realising he flew realy good. We are having somehow bad forcast for last day of the competition, hoping for some flying anyway.

Third task

Today we had third 118km long task, much more difficult than the yesterdays. Regardless we had 8 pilots in goal. Others also flew very well, however easteren winds were to strong for most of them, regardless their best effort. In overall results Primož Gričar is in healty lead in front of Thomas Weissenberger who is closely chased by Gerd Doenhuber.

Some pictures from today, 2nd task

Second task

Great flying conditions! The task was to short for the best pilots, however on 104km task 26 pilots where in goal - some others were getting just short of it. The fastest was Primoz Gricar (again), following by Thomas Weissenberger (AUT) and Gerolf Heinrichs (AUT). Tomorow we hope for another great day in Soča valley!