PWCA - 2018 World Cup - Brazil ::: Baixo Guandu

2018-04-22 19:30

2018-04-21 16:56

An excellent final day - 67 in Goal and everybody back at HQ in record time for the week.

Our congratulations go to overall winner Michael KUFFER - to our top woman Meryl DELFERRIERE and to the winning team Ozone

The final results are now available from the links above

The prizegiving will begin at 19:00 outside the headquarters

Our next event begins on 23rd June in Gemona, Italy - we hope to welcome you again then.

2018-04-21 10:16

The task is set - todays race is a 80.85 km Race to Goal The window will open at 10:30 Local Time and the Start is at 11:30

2018-04-21 10:02

The last day is here - apologies for the late update (its been busy in HQ this morning).

Everyone is on the way to takeoff and we are expecting a final task today. More news should be along in about 30 mins...

2018-04-20 17:30

Lots of pilots commented on what a wonderful task today was in terms of scenery - and in the end 85 of them made goal.

Its the last day tomorrow and there are 14 points sepearating the first 20 places so it could easily change.

The results are now online for all to see - see you tomorrow

2018-04-20 10:19

The task is set - todays race is a 89.36 km Race to Goal The window will open at 10:30 Local Time and the Start is at 11:30

2018-04-20 08:50

Today is similar to the last two - partially cloudy but bright and warm. Its looking good for a task and the pilots are all loaded into vehicles and headed for takeoff.

Task news will follow at about 11:00

2018-04-19 18:35

Apologies for the interruption in service earlier - for two hours we had no webserver - it had been hacked and it took a while to fix the problems.

All of our pilots are now back and the results are now available online.

In the end we got 82 pilots in goal (although we couldn't tell because there was absolutely no cell signal in the goal field) so its been a day of technical problems...

2018-04-19 10:42

The task is set - todays race is a 71.71 km Race to Goal The window will open at 10:30 Local Time and the Start is at 11:30

2018-04-19 08:46

The sun is out in Baixo Guandu this morning. There is some high cirrus but, generally, the sky looks promising. Everyone is en-route to takeoff and we should have task details at about 11am - more soon.

2018-04-18 18:28

It was a tough race which rewarded patience today. 21 pilots stayed the whole course into goal.

The results are now available to view from the links above.

We start again at 0800 tomorrow.

2018-04-18 10:29

The task is set - todays race is a 71.54 km Race to Goal The window will open at 10:30 Local Time and the Start is at 11:30

2018-04-18 09:07

The weather seems to be improving at last. This morning is sunny with a light south-easterly wind and is all looking good for a task. The pilots and gliders are all on the way to take-off and we expect task news at around 11:00 - more soon...

2018-04-17 14:47

test2

2018-04-17 14:47

Owen Shoemaker test

2018-04-17 14:46

test2

2018-04-17 14:46

Owen Shoemaker test

2018-04-17 12:47

However a lot of pilots are taking off and having a free flying day.

2018-04-17 12:40

The wind dummy is climbing under an urubu vulture, who is also obviously impatient to get a task in today. However, another rain storm is on its way and clearly visible to the south of launch so today's task has sadly been cancelled.

2018-04-17 12:27

Wind dummy Bill Hudson has just taken off.

2018-04-17 12:13

Well miraculously it does seem to be clearing up. There are even patches of blue above launch. All we need now is a lightning strike on the Hell's (very out of tune electronic) Bells in the church tower in the village square and we might have a very nice day.

2018-04-17 12:03

Well done to the those who finished in the top ten in the Pan American comp flying in the World Cup: JEISON ZEFERINO BRITO (1st), FEDERICO RODRIGUEZ (6th), FRANK BROWN (7th), PETER NAEGELE (9th) and KLAUDIA BULGAKOW (1st lady, 10th OVERALL).

2018-04-17 11:55

Well done to the those who finished in the top ten in the Pan American comp flying in the World Cup: JEISON ZEFERINO BRITO (1st), FEDERICO RODRIGUEZ (6th), FRANK BROWN (7th), PETER NAEGELE (9th) and KLAUDIA BULGAKOW (1st lady, 10th OVERALL).

2018-04-17 11:54

We've seen a massive improvement in the quality of flying by the Brazilian's over the last five years, largely thanks to lots more competitions being held in Brazil, like the Pan American 2018 competition held here two weeks ago.

2018-04-17 11:53

Everyone is so keen to get a task in today, we won't give up unless we really have to.

2018-04-17 11:51

The monsoon has now passed but the sky in front of launch is looking rather grey and uninviting.

2018-04-17 11:20

I am sure the paperazzi will all be hoping to see Méryl Delferriere one of Font Romeu's most famous ladies.

2018-04-17 11:16

They are all really looking forward to organising the Pre World Cup at Font Romeu this year from the 3rd to 9th of June (Pyrénées-Cerdagne Targasonne). Let's hope they have better weather than here in Brazil.

2018-04-17 11:15

The latest group of youngsters who have come through this system and qualified for the World Cup when they were under 21 and competing here today: Téo Bouvard, Tom Chauvin, Méryl Delferrière, Lois Goutagny, Grégoire Lombardi, Constance Mettetal, Simon Mettetal and Simon Pellissier.

2018-04-17 11:14

Once again competing with us (or rather sitting in the rain with us) we have a lot of very talented young pilots who have come through the French "Pole Espoir" system, located at Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees. It allows students to combine sports training with their studies. Paragliding World and Super Final champion Charles Cazaux was one of the first to pass through its now famous doors.

2018-04-17 11:10

And on that rather over optomistic note, time to run for cover as the entire Baixo Guandu valley is obscured by a rain storm.

2018-04-17 11:09

A 65 km task has been set zig zagging north.

2018-04-17 10:53

Also creating a lot of interest, we have two RFC (Ready For Certification) gliders in this competition being flown by the manufacturer's test pilots. Michael Sigel is putting the Gin Boomerang RFC through its paces and Tim Rochas is evaluating the Niviuk Icepeak RFC.

2018-04-17 10:50

A provisional task has been set - todays race will be a 66.09 km Race to GoalThe window times and start time are not yet declared - an update will be published when they are set

2018-04-17 10:43

Check out https://www.instagram.com/xcmag/ and https://www.instagram.com/nicgreece/ for updates and interviews.

2018-04-17 10:42

Also on a media front, Nick Greece will be posting Instagram stories on Cross Country's Instagram account and his own during the World Cup.

2018-04-17 10:41

World Cup cameraman, Philippe Broers, has made a stunning video of task 1. 'Another Epic Ride Across the Sky,' shows the on launch ambience followed by absolutely stunning inflight footage of the race, the lush green countryside and exceedingly muddy river, the Rio Doce. In short, an absolute masterpiece which you can view by going to World Cup TV on the left hand side of the World Cup website.

2018-04-17 10:37

Apologies for the technical problems we had yesterday. The only electronics which seemed to work here during task 1 were the excruciating church bells right next to HQ, making everyone look skywards and say something very unreligious. Let's hope everything will work better today.

2018-04-17 10:32

So, we have Michael Sigel, the 2013 winner of the Baixo Guandu World Cup in first place on a Gin Boomerang RFC and the 2015 winner, Marco Littame on an Ozone Enzo 3, in 2nd place, only 5 points apart.

2018-04-17 10:32

Well done to task 1 winners: Michael Sigel (1st), Marco Littame (2nd) and Clement Latour (3rd), top lady Klaudia Bulgakow (7th), top team Gin Gliders and top new comer, 17 year old Simon Mettetal (11th =).

2018-04-17 10:27

After a day of rain (keeping up our reputation of bringing drought relief to countries around the World) there is a lot of humidity still in the air and on the very very muddy track to launch, however we might get a window of flyable weather, although I fear it might be more of an arrow slit.

2018-04-17 10:24

Bem vindos a Baixo Guandu – welcome to Baixo Guandu where it is rather over cast this morning and even blacker clouds seem to be coming towards us.

2018-04-17 08:44

Its very cloudy in Baixo Guandu this morning but it looks like it will improve soon. The pilots are all on the way to takeoff and we will wait to see what happens with the weather...

2018-04-16 17:06

Owen Shoemaker was here

2018-04-16 17:05

The first word that comes to mind when you drive into Baixo Guandu for most people is 'wow'. Massive black granite domes rise vertically out of the leafy jungle forests and bright green fields.

2018-04-16 17:04

Alexander Coltman was here

2018-04-16 17:04

Owen Shoemaker was here

2018-04-16 17:02

Alexander Coltman was here

2018-04-16 17:01

Owen Shoemaker was here

2018-04-16 16:44

Alexander Coltman was here

2018-04-16 09:32

There is heavy rain on the launch (09:30) and the sky is grey and cloudy. Today is cancelled - we will try again tomorrow.

2018-04-15 18:30

Its been a great first day here in Baixo Guandu (for the pilots at least - we've had a bunch of technical problems in HQ but we're getting them under control)

53 pilots made it to the goal today and another 25 made end of speed but no quite into goal.

Users of the app will have noticed some problems today but we have fixed them so it should all be good for tomorrow.

The results are now online and available from the link on the PWCA.org home page.

2018-04-15 17:43

However, the final word for good sportsman (or sportswomanship) today has to go to Benedicte Saury for waiting patiently for partner Olivier Henry before crossing Ess and landing in goal together, bringing a fine (if a little damp for some) day to a conclustion.

2018-04-15 17:39

Well done to Michael Sigel and Marco Littame, first to cross Ess today.

2018-04-15 17:28

Marco was really pushing out a lot today. He won here back in 2015 and is keen to do the same again. Climbing better than the others was the key he told me, well of course that's easy (not) in a field of 13 World Cup winners. There was no room for mistakes today. You had to make your decisions thermal by thermal, you couldn't plan the route in advance. You had to juggle the sun and shade - and get it right.

2018-04-15 17:24

Next to try Marco Littame and Michael Sigel.

2018-04-15 17:22

Unfortunately they both landed short.

2018-04-15 16:43

Just short of ESS he got very weak lift as the whole area north of the river was shaded over. They saw the others catching up with them, left for goal too early and landed 0.3 km short of goal. Ouch!

2018-04-15 16:39

So what happened to Andreas Malecki who had such an amazing lead at one point?

2018-04-15 16:25

Owen Shoemaker did indeed cross ESS in 6th position but unfortunately, Alex Coltman was flying as Klaudia Bulgakow, and vice versa as it were.

2018-04-15 16:22

Well having said that, let me explain the curse of the commentator.

2018-04-15 15:44

That simplicity was shown today. Well done to team Tree Environment Agency with Owen Shoemaker and Alexander Coltman in the same team crossing Ess 5th and 6th.

2018-04-15 15:38

Thus the score depends on at least half the team doing well – both the first AND the second pilot in each team need to be fast. Therefore there is no need to do lots of complicated mathematics adding up all the team pilot's scores. This simple, but incredibly effective idea, was the brain child of Xavier Morillo.

2018-04-15 15:38

Each Paragliding World Cup partner has a team. Each team can have up to three pilots and at least one female pilot. Points are given based on the position of the 2nd person in the team. When the second pilot in each team comes into goal decides the whole team's position in the team rankings.

2018-04-15 15:38

Just a note on the teams.

2018-04-15 15:26

Each pilot's score is made up of 3 parts. Time points (how fast they got to goal), points they only get if they get to goal. Distance points (how far they flew). Lead out points (how much of the time they were with the leaders).

2018-04-15 15:25

Whilst we wait for the tracklogs to be down loaded here is a reminder about the scoring.

2018-04-15 14:42

As today's goal seems to be in a GSM sink hole, we'll need to wait for the tracklogs from each pilot's Flymaster tracker to be downloaded to find out today's winner.

2018-04-15 14:37

Andreas Malecki, Joerg Ewald and Russell Achterberg were storming ahead to the north of the river but then got stuck and the gaggle to the south of the course line then overtook them and got to goal first.

2018-04-15 14:32

So what happened in the competition at the point when the deafening din from the church bells in Baixo Guandu (unfondly known as Hell's Bells) took out our internet connection?

2018-04-15 14:20

Also on a glider front, 'LE big news' in this competition is that Tim Rochas (5th placed Super Final pilot here) is flying the Niviuk Icepeak RFC.

2018-04-15 14:18

Gliders wise in this competition, all eyes are going to be on Felipe REZENDE flying Flow Paragliders' new XCRacer, the new EN D competition glider.

2018-04-15 14:11

Other ladies here who have won ladies World Cups: Daria KRASNOVA (2), Yael MARGELISCH (1) and Emanuelle Zufferey (1)

2018-04-15 14:10

Méryl Delferriere 10th OVERALL in the 2017 Super Final plus ladies winner of the 2017 Coeur de Savoie, France, World Cup and the recent Bright, Australia World Cup.

2018-04-15 14:09

Keiko Hiraki: 2013 and 2009 Women's Super Final champion, plus 5 other women's World Cup wins.

2018-04-15 14:09

Klaudia BULGAKOW was 1st lady in the 2015 World Cup in Baixo Guandu, 2013 Women's World champion, and has won 3 other women's World Cups.

2018-04-15 14:09

6 of the 12 ladies taking part have already been first lady in a World Cup.

2018-04-15 14:09

The women's competition this week is going to be amazing.

2018-04-15 14:06

The ladies competition is incredible today, new comer Constance Mettetal and Ecuador 1st lady Yael Margelisch are racing to End of speed neck and neck, and Meryl's tracker is off line so the women's scores will be interesting to down load later.

2018-04-15 14:01

Yes, you'll make mistakes and mess up lots of tasks, but it doesn't matter. Don't get annoyed and sulk. I used to do that a lot at the beginning (and still do a bit now). But it is a real shame to spoil competitions doing that. Once you've made a mistake, it is too late to do anything about it. Analyse your error so you don't make the same mistake again. Put it in perspective and be happy just to be out there flying with friends in amazing places!

2018-04-15 14:01

The most important thing is to have fun, enjoy competitions. Don't set yourself objectives of results but more ways of doing things. When I started, and even now, the objective that I set myself is to get to goal. That is the most important thing. Get to goal every day, even if you get there late. To get there with the leaders fly with the gaggle. Stay with the others to get their faster, more efficiently and safer (you have less chance of landing when you are with fifty others than when you are on your own).

2018-04-15 14:00

In the meantime I'd like to share one of our top ladies, Meryl Delferriere (10th in this year's Super Final) thoughts on what makes a successful competition pilot.

2018-04-15 13:57

We have had a lot of problems with the internet today and will give you a full summary of the day as soon as we can.

2018-04-15 13:56

However the church bells in the square started going off on one at just the wrong moment taking with them the World Cup server and all our internet and live tracking data.

2018-04-15 13:52

The leaders are all crossing end of speed.

2018-04-15 13:46

Richard Gallon, won one of the first ever Paragliding World Cup Tours (back in 1993). He then won the World Cup 20 years later in Val Louron, in 2013. Big respect to veteran, Andrew Smith, also competing, who won his first World Cup at the turn of the century, (Portugal in 2000).

2018-04-15 13:43

It's good to see Richard Gallon right up with the leaders again today flying with his innovative harness and home made windscreen! He is with the following gaggle to the south of the river.

2018-04-15 13:35

In the second gaggle to the south of the river we have a real all star cast: long distance record holders Frank Brown and Marcelo Prieto and 3 times world cup winner Felix Rodriguez Fernandez.

2018-04-15 13:27

Andreas Malecki is still in the lead.

2018-04-15 13:26

Keeping up with Marco is Alexander Coltman, who told me at registation he couldn't believe how high the level was for this comp and that his future strategy was going to be to try and choose easier competitions!

2018-04-15 13:22

Leading the group to the south of the river, Marco Littame, winner of the last world cup we had here.

2018-04-15 13:21

There is then a big gap before the next pilot following the north route, our new World Cup partner Juan Andrade.

2018-04-15 13:18

The three amigos out in front to the north are really pulling away and seem to have a much faster route: Andreas Malecki, Russell Achterberg, Joerg Ewald.

2018-04-15 13:15

Andreas Malecki is storming ahead taking the route to the north. Lying equal with Michael Sigel for task wins, both have the most task wins of any pilot in this comptition. 8 each.

2018-04-15 13:12

Juan Andrade, Andreas Malecki, Vitalii Umanskyi are neck and neck with the leaders but to the north.

2018-04-15 13:11

Ex British champion and tree specialist Alexander Coltman is out in front on his own taking a middle line.

2018-04-15 13:09

The leaders are crossing the river: Clement Latour, Denis Soverini, Andre Rainsford, Marco Littame

2018-04-15 13:06

World Cup winner Andre Rainsford is with him.

2018-04-15 13:05

Michael Sigel is leading the charge to the south of the river.

2018-04-15 13:04

Looking up at the sky above Baixo Guandu there are lots of little gaggles, this amazing sky has really separated the competition out.

2018-04-15 13:03

The same exceedingly muddy Rio Doce (""Doce"" means sweet in Portuguese) that runs through Governador Valadares, flows through Baixo Guandu. It looks like a ribbon of milk chocolate flowing through the exotic vegetation.

2018-04-15 13:01

Several route choices have emerged. The big choice seems to be which side of the river to take.

2018-04-15 13:00

It looks as if the skies ahead are much friendlier compared to the dark skies behind them around turn point 1.

2018-04-15 12:59

In the length of time it took me to look up at the sky and write that, I got a burnt nose - the sun is so so hot here.

2018-04-15 12:58

The lead gaggle are over Baixo, 2 groups of 4 arrived and stopped to get a climb above the thermal coming out of the church bells (at least they are useful for something). The leaders of the following gaggle have now caught up with them.

2018-04-15 12:52

The 2 levels of clouds are making it very challenging, the lower ones give lift, the higher ones cut out the sun and prevent the lift.

2018-04-15 12:51

As Bjornar Trondsen told me this morning. The shade today caused by the clouds is going to be a problem, trying to keep out of the shade will be key and give lots of options for what initially looked a very straight forward task.

2018-04-15 12:49

The leaders are approaching Baixo where there are a lot of very black clouds but also a lot of blue.

2018-04-15 12:48

The sky is a complete mix of blue, low cloud and high cloud!

2018-04-15 12:46

Where there are patches of sunshine it works well as the sun is so hot so let's see if they can make it despite the cloud cover.

2018-04-15 12:45

The first pilots have got the turn point and are now heading north west towards Governador Valadares.

2018-04-15 12:35

For Michael Sigel there was a head wind, he was sinking, he watched two brazilians who were lower than him go for it. He knew there were no more nice climbs and it was time to be cautious.

2018-04-15 12:30

If they can be patient there on ahead looks better.

2018-04-15 12:29

They need now to pass an area where the cloud cover is really cutting out the thermals.

2018-04-15 12:27

The clouds are getting bigger and darker and base isn't getting any higher. It's about 1200m.

2018-04-15 12:26

The pilots are getting to the first turn point but the thermals are very weak.

2018-04-15 12:25

The task is set - todays race is a 60.37 km Race to Goal The window will open at 10:45 Local Time and the Start is at 12:00

2018-04-15 12:20

Next to try and get to goal was Samuel Nascimento and Jeison Zeferino.

2018-04-15 12:00

The start is open.

2018-04-15 11:59

2 minutes to the Start open. The correct task should appear soon on the tracking.

2018-04-15 11:54

5 minutes to Start open.

2018-04-15 11:53

The sky has really opened up now with 50/50 blue sky and clouds.

2018-04-15 11:51

The pilots are all climbing under a nice big puffy cloud to the south of launch, a safe distance from the din on launch.

2018-04-15 11:41

You don't have to be first to cross the start line but in the top third is good. This way you don't play catch up for the first part of the race which is tiring and stressful. On the tracking on the App (search for PWCA in the App stores) the Start cylinder is in red.

2018-04-15 11:41

The start is really important, (shown in red on the App) a good start is key and gives confidence and the right frame of mind for the rest of the course.

2018-04-15 11:40

All the pilots competing here today have taken off and now have 20 minutes to get to the start. They are high and circling in the blue skies above the very noisy launch. We seem to have swapped Hell's Bells in the village square (more about that later) for Hell's guitarist on launch.

2018-04-15 11:37

And all competing here were: 1st Marco LITTAME, 4th Michael SIGEL (2017 Super Final champion and winner of the 2013 World Cup in Baixo Guandu), 6th Stéphane POULAIN, 8th Andreas MALECKI, 9th Torsten SIEGEL, winner of tasks 4, 6 + 7 (2014 European Champion).

2018-04-15 11:35

It's also worth bearing in mind from the last World Cup in Baixo Guandu in 2015:

2018-04-15 11:34

Michael Sigel was looking very relaxed on launch a few minutes ago, taking his time, despite being reigning Super Final champion he didn't feel any pressure. I'm just here to have fun and fly with lots of friends he told me. It's great that there are such big crowds here to support us.

2018-04-15 11:31

Richard Butterworth told me it's going to be very slow, a game of survival today to get to goal.

2018-04-15 11:30

Although it is very blue over launch there are still a lot of clouds out in front.

2018-04-15 11:29

The sun has come out, the sky has turned blue and after a difficult start everyone seems to be climbing nicely.

2018-04-15 11:23

Bill Hughes and Brett Hazlett have just set up on take off ready to go.

2018-04-15 11:05

It is very light conditions, the few pilots who have taken off are just maintaining.

2018-04-15 11:04

The window is open with the start at 12h in 1 hour.

2018-04-15 11:02

Loud music is pumping, pushing the wind dummies skywards.

2018-04-15 10:58

The wind dummies are taking off to great woops of joy from the over crowded launch.

2018-04-15 10:57

In this competition there are 13 Overall World Cup winners who between them have won 20 World Cups! Michael Sigel (3), Felix Rodriguez (3), Alfredo Studer (2), Stephane DROUIN (2), Michael Kuffer (2), Rafael SALADINI (1), Andreas MALECKI (1), Richard PETHIGAL (1), Marco LITTAME (1), Richard Gallon (1), Andre Rainsford (1), Torsten Siegel (1) and Andrew Smith (1).

2018-04-15 10:55

One of the biggest problems will be chosing a route to avoid the rain showers. However we have some of the world's best pilots here so let's see...

2018-04-15 10:52

At the moment the wind is from the south, south east, it will then turn more easterly and get stronger later on.

2018-04-15 10:51

The provisional task which has been set goes north east then north west to towards Governador Valadares.

2018-04-15 10:39

Just a reminder that to view the % of lead out points, glide ratio to goal and photos of some of the pilots, don't forget to upgrade to the latest version of the PWCA App, now available for iOS and Android devices, search for PWCA.

2018-04-15 10:37

The conditions this morning are rather grey with nearly 100% cloud cover. However we are confident there will be a task.

2018-04-15 10:36

Briefing is taking place for a provisional task of 60 km.

2018-04-15 10:34

The giant black granite blocks lie like animals turned to stone, motionless watching the sky full of paragliders circling above them.

2018-04-15 10:33

The first word that comes to mind when you drive into Baixo Guandu for most people is 'wow'. Massive black granite domes rise vertically out of the leafy jungle forests and bright green fields.

2018-04-15 10:31

Welcome to Baixo Guandu in beautiful Brazil, the land of the happy smiles and big skies.

2018-04-15 09:17

PWCA App - Latest News

To view the % of lead out points, glide ratio to goal and photos of some of the pilots, don't forget to upgrade to the latest version of the PWCA App. Now available for iOS and Android devices, (search for PWCA). The App also shows the live Commentary, tracking and all the scores. It includes a 'follow' button so that you can keep up with your favourite pilot. The route is easier to follow thanks to the Start cylinder clearly shown in red, the turn point cylinders in blue and End of Speed in gold.

2018-04-15 08:29

The Paragliding World Cup has arrived in Baixo Guandu, Brazil for event 2 of the 2018 season. Registration was last night and we are all ready for a first task. More details will be along soon...

2018-03-29 10:14

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to local problems in Castelo, that may compromise the support and safety of our competition, the 2018 Brazilian World Cup event - initially planned to be run in Castelo - is transferred to BAIXO GUANDU. No change in dates : 14-21 April 2018.

The 2018 Brazilian World Cup will be held in Baixo Guandu from April 14th to 21st 2018.

The PWCA is aware that many of you have already booked accomodation in Castelo and we apologize for the last minute change. The local organizer will organise refunds if an accommodation deposit has been paid. If you need any assistance please contact Frank at frankbrown70@yahoo.com.br

Castelo and Baixo are not far apart and an equal distance from Vitoria. If you are already in Castelo, there will be assistance available to move to Baixo Guandu.

The local organizer will also help you to find new accommodation in Baixo Guandu.

The Committee has decided to change the location of the event to preserve competition quality - your understanding is appreciated.

2018 World Cup - Brazil ::: Baixo Guandu

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