With blue skies and a few clouds popping up in the mountains a 91 km triangular task was set. 

It was another classic Krushevo day. It was great to go over the back and into the higher, tree covered hills and fly the ‘motorway’ ridges. The pilots flew as far south as the lower slopes of Baba mountain with lovely views of nearby lakes Ohrid and Prespa.

Out into the flats there was a bit of divergence of opinions as to which route to take around the second turn point but everyone came back together in the end for the race to goal.

With smooth climbs in 2-3 m/s thermals, some as much as 4m/s it was very relaxed flying for a top-level competition. 

However, the crux of today’s race came a few kilometres before end of speed. There were climbs but the leaders pushed through them and onwards. It was a spectacular case of hero to zero for twenty of the leading gaggle. It was a breath-taking finish for both the spectators in the goal field and those in the air desperately trying to make goal. 

For many, their lasting memory of today will be: ‘Happiness is coming into goal with 2m to spare!’

The first 71 pilots made goal, and thus all flew the same distance, and gained the same distance points. Today’s winner is therefore the one with a combination of the best speed points and lead out points. 

Top 3 fastest pilots round the course
02:41:11: Manuel QUINTANILLA flying at an average speed of 32.8 km/h
02:41:18: Michael SOMMERAUER
02:41:25: Ulrich PRINZ

Top 3 leading point baggers – those who were in the lead the most
155.2: Manuel QUINTANILLA
152.7: Tanguy RENAUD-GOUD
152.3: Simon METTETAL

Top 3 in the task
1: Baptiste LAMBERT
2: Simon METTETAL
2: Bogdan BIALKA
2: Ulrich PRINZ

Best newcomer: Ivan CENTA (29th)

Top 3 ladies in the task
1: Kirsty CAMERON
2: Nicole FEDELE
3: Constance METTETAL

Top 3 teams in the task
1: Ozone
2: Flying Tree Environmental Management
3: Chinese Taipei Gliding Sports Association

All the results are available here: https://live.pwca.org/scores