For task 7 of this seven-day comp, everyone thought a short task would be set, instead 101 km was on the menu. 

It was a day with lots of route choices right from the beginning, with pilots taking the start in four different groups. 

The first leg north saw Dominik Breitinger and Meryl Delferriere, the highest placed pilots in the competition, racing neck and neck on different sides of the crater. Meryl’s group taking the optimum route were fastest.

The conditions were excellent at the beginning, it was easy to push. The conditions were booming with 5-6m/s climbs.

After the first turn point the pace slowed down. This gave those behind a chance to catch up. 

After turn point two, the race really slowed down as the sky filled in with cloud and shade covered the landscape.

Just before the third and final turn point, as the race crossed the river for one last time, it looked as if the competition was going to go no further as everyone sunk out. However, a beautiful rainbow over the Rio Doce signalled better thermals to come. 

Initially everyone got stuck in the crater on the other side of the river, unable to gain enough height for the race to End of Speed. 

Gradually the sky broke up, the sun came out and goal was in sight. There was super buoyant air just before ESS and the aerology was very forgiving for those who got low. Little hills helped to trigger thermals. 

Today was a very interesting technical day which had everything, both fast flying and slow flying. It was a day with lots of gear changes as the conditions alternated between hot sun and covered skies, giving full shade. It was a day when patience paid off. 

Sadly, today is the last day. But what an amazing competition, with seven fully valid tasks and 571 pilots in goal.

It’s been wonderful to see so many flying friends reunited here once again, with pilots. 

On a glider front, it has been great to have such a wide variety of wings in the competition: the Ozone Enzo 3, Niviuk Icepeak X-One, Gin Boomerang 12, 777 Gambit and the Flow Spectra 2.

Felipe Rezende, from Flow Gliders, was delighted to try out the Flow Spectra 2 here in its first international competition. He was more than happy with its solidity, stability and glide at full speed when competing against the world’s best. 

As we head back to homes all over the world, we take with us precious memories of some of the World’s most spectacular scenery: The famous black granite domes and the lost world of Pancas. Thank you to the local organisers, Frank Brown and Marcos Aurelio and to Meet Director Marcelo Ratis who have laid on the best weather and most amazing competition for us. 

Most of all, thank you to the people of Baixo Guandu who have opened their hearts and skies to us. Vejo você novamente em breve.

Top 3 speed point winners – the fastest pilots round the course
03:20:08: Rafael SALADINI flying at an average speed of 28.5 km/h
03:20:10: Rafael BARROS
03:20:12: Luciano HORN

Top 3 leading point baggers – those who were in the lead the most
158.1: Rafael SALADINI
157.6: Rafael BARROS
155.4: Clement LATOUR

Top 3 in the task
1: Rafael SALADINI
2: Rafael BARROS
3: Luciano HORN

Best newcomer: Adrien RAISSON (28)

Top 3 ladies in the task
1: Silvia BUZZI FERRARIS
1: Violeta JIMENEZ
3: Marcella UCHOA

Top 3 teams in the task
1: Nearbirds
2: Niviuk
3: Air'G Products

Top 3 overall
1: Dominik BREITINGER
2: Manuel QUINTANILLA
3: Michael SIGEL

Best newcomer: Adrien RAISSON (36)

Top 3 ladies overall
1: Meryl DELFERRIERE
2: Galen KIRKPATRICK
3: Marcella UCHOA

Top 3 teams overall
1: Nearbirds
2: Gin Gliders
3: Ozone