With forecasts of high winds, for many, today was the task that would never happen. However, the wind didn’t pick up until all the pilots had taken off and although it remained strong, it didn’t disrupt the day’s play.
A short downwind task of 51km, with one turn point, was set. This made it very different to the long tasks the pilots enjoyed on the previous days.
There were two distinct gaggles before the one and only turn point, then the pilots came together and the race to goal was on. However, Marco Littame had clocked up enough lead-out points before the first turn point by bravely pushing out on his own, which was super risky and difficult, that despite crossing End of Speed in fifteenth place, he well and truly earnt his seventh task win today.
The wind was stronger than on the previous days, but the thermals were weaker. It was very important to gain a lot of altitude before the start as finding the next decent thermal was difficult. Choosing the right line was, as always, primordial.
It was a nice speedy task with a soft landing in a ploughed field and shady olive trees to pack up underneath.
108 pilots made goal today and arrived before yesterday’s task would have even started.
The Guardia Civil are still trying to track down Baptiste Lambert who was flying at 95km/h, breaking the local speed limit! After three tasks, Baptiste is a mere 1.2 points behind overall race leader, Andy Tallia.
The first 108 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 speed point winners – the fastest pilots round the course 00:51:07: Pierre REMY flying at an average speed of 54.8 km/h 00:51:08: Julien WIRTZ 00:51:08: Francisco Javie REINA LAGOS
Top 3 leading point baggers – those who were in the lead the most 148.6: Marco LITTAME 140.4: Petr KOSTRHUN 139.1: Federico NEVASTRO
Top 3 in the task 1: Marco LITTAME 2: Pierre REMY 3: Julien WIRTZ
Best newcomer: Martin MESA (6)
Top 3 ladies in the task 1: Sandra ANTONY 2: Violeta JIMENEZ 3: Kari ELLIS
Top 3 teams in the task 1: Niviuk 1 2: Ozone 3: Parapente Mag
In the team competition the top two pilots in each team are scored and the second one gives the ranking. The highest placed second team pilot was Francisco REINA LAGOS flying for team Niviuk 1.
