7 years ago (2017-01-28 20:12:03) :
     One last interesting piece of information before the results of this incredible 2016 Super final in Governador Valadares go on line. %D%A%D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:52:32) :
     One thing to bear in mind when trying to anticipate the scores: By finishing so far ahead of everyone else, Maxime Pinot will have compressed all their points. This means that there will not be as much change in the overall scores as you might think.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:08:35) :
     Nicole Fedele has just come into goal. Well done to both Seiko Fukuoka Naville and Nicole Fedele.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:07:13) :
     Seiko Fukuoka Naville passed end of speed 13 minutes ahead of current overall leader Nicole Fedele.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:05:06) :
     Aaron Durogati and Stefan Wyss were laughing about a low save they got together today. 2 of paraglidings great sports men.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:02:04) :
     Stefan Wyss and Aaron Durogati are talking to each other in the middle of the goal field.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 19:00:09) :
     Aaron Durogati passed end of speed 4 minutes after Adrian Hachen.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:59:00) :
     Jean Marc Caron has arrived in goal and almost admitted that today was difficult.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:57:33) :
     Aaron Durogati has just arrived in goal, looks like he's in a good position to take the title.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:56:45) :
     Julian Robinson has just arrived in goal, 10 days in a row well done Julian.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:55:05) :
     The rescue boat is just being lowered into the Sweat River by the local rescue team holding their noses.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:53:20) :
     2 parakeets have just flown across the goal field looking very frightened

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:52:30) :
     There are a lot of very sweaty bodies in the goal field, definitely clean t-shirt day tomorrow.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:50:00) :
     Did the new hair cut help? Definitely he replied but unfortunately it only works 50% of the time.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:48:36) :
     Maxime Pinot said that tactically it was the best task he had ever flown

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:45:33) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez is downing a well deserved beer.I was pushing and pushing, I had to beat them he told me

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:42:53) :
     Luca Donini, Torsten Siegel and Luc Armant have just landed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:42:17) :
     The sky is absolutely full of gliders, the first 50 past end of speed are all in the sky above goal.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:40:26) :
     Honorin Hamard is coming into goal he was 3rd to get end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:39:21) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez has just landed in goal to very loud applause. I think the crowds thought he was Brazilian

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:37:49) :
     The top 40 have passed end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:37:15) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez is doing a full on acro display above the goal, I hope he isn't intending to use the muddy waters of the Sweet River next to goal if it goes wrong

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:34:35) :
     Thomas Gury, Clement Latour, Durali Karaca, Torsten Siegel, Russell Ogden and Adrian Hachen have got end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:32:56) :
     Xavier Pujol Barricarte and Stephane Drouin have passed end of speed. The big charge is on for end of speed by the big gaggle led by Jungman Choi

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:31:29) :
     Is just being congratulated by Ulric Jessop and camera man Philippe Broers.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:30:23) :
     Maxime Pinot is being cheared into goal by the crowds. Big applause.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:27:48) :
     Luca Donini and Honorin Hamard have passed end of speed, 7km to go to goal.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:26:55) :
     Maxime is doing wing overs in front of goal much to the delight of the crowd.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:25:06) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez and the rest of the gaggle are 7 km from end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:21:50) :
     Maxime has taken the goal line in orbit.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:20:30) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez has been caught up by the main gaggle.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:19:58) :
     Maxime Pinot Is a speck in the distance, little by little coming into view of the waiting crowds in the goal field.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:18:10) :
     He's 12km ahead of Felix Rodriguez Fernandez. What an amazing effort by an ex Super Final winner. This is what the SF is all about

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:16:35) :
     Maxime Pinot has just taken end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:15:55) :
     Maxime Pinot is approaching end of speed

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:05:39) :
     Maxime Pinot has 14 km to go to end of speed. He's flying at 75 km/h.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:04:51) :
     Maxime is coming into end of speed cross wind/ down wind. Those who take the cylinder further to the north will have more of a down wind leg to end of speed.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:04:38) :
     Maxime is coming into end of speed cross wind/ down wind. Those who take the cylinder further to the north will have more of a down wind leg to end of speed.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:03:19) :
     Maxime Pinot has crossed the river, taken the turn point and is taking the south of the river line back to GV and end of speed section.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:02:02) :
     Simon Pellissier, one of our youngest competitors is right in front of the lead gaggle behind Maxime too.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 18:00:48) :
     Maxime Bellemin is one of the front fliers today, trying to make sure that he doesn't have to buy any more microwave ovens for partner, Super Final competitor, Laurie Genovese today.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:58:44) :
     Michael Sigel on his Boomerang 11 is 3 km behind Maxime on his Ozone Zeno, this is nail biting, what a race, what a Super Final.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:57:28) :
     Maxime Pinot's tracker is showing that he doesn't need another climb to get to end of speed section, but as always the conditions will dictate the reality of that.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:56:14) :
     Adrian Hachen is 41st at the moment but they are all so close together. Aaron Durogati is 57th in the gaggle behind Maxime but both Aaron and Adrian's trackers are out of date.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:52:37) :
     The next 50 pilots have about 1 km between them!

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:51:39) :
     Hot on Russel and Honorin's heals are Lucas Bernardin, Yoshiki Kuremoto and and Gianbasilio Profiti.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:47:39) :
     European and World champion Honorin Hamard (677 m) and fellow Ozone designer and test pilot Russell Ogden (1010) are 1km behind also on Zenos.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:45:37) :
     The conditions are really difficult as they battle into the easterly wind to get turn point 3. Maxime is at 1027 m and climbing and Felix is 4km behind him at 1409m, this is going to be really close.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:40:33) :
     A lot of people have asked why we didn't do longer tasks given the longest flight from GV is double what we have been doing most days: 210 km%D%A%D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:34:53) :
     Adrian Hachen is currently lying 55th in the task today but his tracker is off line and Aaron Durogati is 28th position and his tracker is ok. Nail biting.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:33:36) :
     As Marc Wensauer told me on launch, turn point 3 which Maxime and Felix are approaching, is going to be the decisive moment, will they go north or south of the river to get end of speed? Which side, north or south will be the fastest? This will be such a fast racing down wind leg to get end of speed.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:29:03) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez has closed the gap whilst Maxime Pinot had to find a climb to avoid the snakes. They are both at about 800m.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:27:19) :
     The top 3 women are also very close overall: Nicole Fedele (6117), Seiko Fukuoka Naville (6090) and Laurie Genovese (5975). Nicole could be beaten by Seiko so first lady is far from sure.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:25:40) :
     As Cody Mittanck told me today a lot of pilots won't be being conservative, either they have a poor day to discard or they aren't doing well and have nothing to lose. Then of course there is one pilot in the comp for whom a snake phobia is the all important factor of how low you are prepared to go.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:22:04) :
     Maxime Pinot is very close to the last turn point, but painfully low.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:16:53) :
     Maxime is getting painfully low, careful Maxime, this is what we have seen so often in this comp, the leaders pushing out and bombing. As we've said before, Hero to Zero, there's nothing easier.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:15:37) :
     Famous acro pilot Felix Rodriguez Fernandez, also on an Ozone Zeno, is next behind Maxime.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:14:18) :
     Maxime Pinot is really on it, he's 5km ahead of the next pilot, the thought of all those snakes waiting for him in the long grass in those lush green fields below his feet is speeding him on his way.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:11:12) :
     There is still a fair bit of wind around and the thermals are a bit broken up.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:10:17) :
     The top 30 have now got the turn point.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:08:16) :
     Closely followed by Aaron Durogati.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:07:31) :
     Adrian Hachen has just got the turn point in 10th place.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:07:08) :
     The lead gaggle are now all getting the second turn point. Eugene Claase, Yael Margelisch, Stephane Drouin, Jonathan Marin, Marco Busetta and Durali Karaca. But no sign of our 2 leaders: Adrian Hachen and Aaron Durogati.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:04:24) :
     For those interested in statistics, I think the world's entire range of paragliding t-shirts has been modelled at this competition. One of the best (and cleanest) was Pierre Muller's with 'Official Air Dealer - Paragliding Instructor' written on it.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:02:11) :
     Eugene Claase is taking the cylinder much further to the east to make the next leg less into wind.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 17:00:07) :
     Felix is lot further east.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:59:37) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez tracker has just caught up showing him having just made the turn point.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:58:28) :
     As far as the women in the competition are concerned the level is absolutely incredible. All the previous female Super Final winners are here. Out of the 11 women in the comp, 5 have won the women's super final before:%D%ASeiko FUKUOKA NAVILLE, Laurie GENOVESE, Keiko HIRAKI, Nicole FEDELE and Petra SLIVOVA. Klaudia Bulgakow was World Champion in 2013. %D%A%D%A

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:56:46) :
     %D%ANo one (overall) has ever won the Super Final twice. The winners so far have been: %D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:53:35) :
     Adrian Hachen has just gone into 2nd place - the race is on for winner of the 2016 Super Final. Aaron Durogati is still down at 33rd place.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:51:58) :
     Gildas Ben from Reunion Island is right up at the front too today, along with Eugene Claase this is also his first Super Final. %D%AThere are 35 pilots in the competition (out of 123) for whom this is their first Super Final. The best new comers at the moment are Xavier Pujol Barricarte 14th overall, Hernan Pitocco 19th and Peter Nagele 20th overall. %D%A%D%A

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:48:52) :
     Felix Rodriguez Fernandez is out to the west of the gaggle but his tracker has been off line for 20 minutes so he is probably approaching turn point 2 as well.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:46:59) :
     South African new comer to the Super Final, Eugene Claase, is leading the gaggle behind him.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:45:35) :
     Maxime Pinot has just taken the 2nd turn point.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:45:11) :
     As Flying Scotsman Brendan Reid told me on launch, 'tiredness is bound to be having an effect on a lot of pilots by this stage in the comp, this is the first ten task long Super Final so pilots are bound to be tired and more likely to make stupid mistakes.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:41:46) :
     The drop out rate today has been fairly high, normally an hour and a half into the task virtually all the pilots would be flying, today only 98 out of a possible 120 are still in the air.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:37:40) :
     Taking of long distance endurance races like the XAlps, it's worth noting that the current trend for 'light' gliders and material doesn't really apply to racing gliders, here it's all about performance Torsten Siegel told me.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:35:39) :
     They are now flying a difficult cross wind leg to turn point 2. Brazilian champion Christian Biasi and XAlps contender Russell Ogden are in the lead. Both high and climbing.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:35:29) :
     They are now flying a difficult cross wind leg to turn point 2. Brazilian champion Christian Biasi and XAlps contender Russell Ogden are in the lead. Both high and climbing.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:35:28) :
     They are now flying a difficult cross wind leg to turn point 2. Brazilian champion Christian Biasi and XAlps contender Russell Ogden are in the lead. Both high and climbing.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:25:21) :
     %D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:21:15) :
     It's also been great to see so many young pilots here too who were brought up by paragliding parents: Idris Birch, Tim Bollinger, Louis GERIN-JEAN and Antoine GERIN-JEAN who started flying when they were 11 years old and Tim Rochas who started flying at 10 yrs old in his Dad's flying school.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:18:42) :
     Maxime Pinot is well ahead now and high at over 1000m.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:17:27) :
     Reflecting on the last 20 years of competition flying Bjornar Trondsen told me that he initially avoided competitions as he didn't like the twitchy competition wings. He feels that the Zenos are really changing that perception and that modern competition gliders are much more collapse resistant because they are built with speed in mind. You get a lot more feedback through a comp wing than through an EN B, so they are easier to correct. The increased speed range, especially at low speeds, also makes them safer. Bjornar feels that the situation is much healthier than it was when he flew in his first competition 20 years ago and hopes that the manufacturers will continue to focus on safety. %D%A%D%AWell done to all the manufacturers with wings in the Super Final.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:15:54) :
     Torsten Siegel told me it has been a real bench mark test to see how Gin's new wing the Boomerang 11 would perform. They have been extremely happy with everything, it's a well balanced wing which is super nice to fly, great all round in strong thermals and also in weak conditions.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:13:33) :
     It's been great to see so much development and new equipment in the sport at the moment and to be able to see it all in action here at the Super Final. %D%A%D%AWhat a great competition for the manufacturers to put their new gliders through their paces. There is an impressive group of designers and test pilots flying in the Super Final: %D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:11:24) :
     One thing that has come across very clearly in this Super Final is how much fun the pilots are having. The answer most of them give as to why they do the PWC is because they love flying in different places all over the world from Argentina to America, from South Africa to Slovenia from India to Japan. Flying with all the friends she has come to know through paragliding is the best thing for Czech pilot Petra Slivova.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:10:26) :
     We've notice a lot of acro pilots like Felix coming to the PWCs. I asked top acro pilot Hernan Pitocco why this was, why did he get into XC flying 'because I'm old', he replied grinning.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:10:03) :
     Joachim Oberhauser, Maxime Pinot and Felix Rodriguez Fernandez have crossed the river and are now heading directly north. Joachim is low and deserately needs a climb.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:09:59) :
     Joachim Oberhauser, Maxime Pinot and Felix Rodriguez Fernandez have crossed the river and are now heading directly north. Joachim is low and deserately needs a climb.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:09:54) :
     Joachim Oberhauser, Maxime Pinot and Felix Rodriguez Fernandez have crossed the river and are now heading directly north. Joachim is low and deserately needs a climb.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:07:47) :
     Today should once again be petty much a 1000 point day. 8928 points have been available so far, plus 1000 points today, which will make this by far the highest scoring PWC event ever. The pilots who have got to goal every day have flown 848 km, the equivalent of Paris to Barcelona. And if the 3 (Julien Robinson, Aaron Durogati and Emmanuel Nicolas) who have made it to goal every day get to goal today they'll have flown the equivalent of London to Milan.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 16:06:57) :
     They are now all flying back up towards take off, the leaders are about to cross the river and pass the sprawling town of Governador Valadares. I can almost hear the 23m high statue of Nossa Senhora das Gracas signing 'not them again'. %D%AWhat I should also point out is that she is surrounded by the most tasteless collection of radio antennas and microwave dishes - enough to make any saintly statue put their hands up in the air and start talking to paragliders. %D%A%D%A

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:59:21) :
     Tim Bollinger is taking a completely different route out to the east and on his own. 'It's a difficult place and a difficult competition to beat the gaggle and break away, take and keep the lead,' Super Final Technical Delegate Ulric Jessop told me. So Tim is being pretty brave venturing off.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:56:55) :
     Gaspard Petiot is out infront and nearly back at launch but he's low and not climbing.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:52:20) :
     %D%AHow do you mentally prepare yourself for the last task when you are in the lead by just 43 points? If you are Aaron Durogati you go to the local park at 6.30 in the morning and do a couple of hours slack line practice before a breakfast of 4 hard boiled eggs and half a water melon. %D%A

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:51:19) :
     Out 2 top pilots over all in the comp, Adrian Hachen and Aaron Durogati are flying pretty conservatively. Adrian is about 30th and Aaron is way back.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:47:09) :
     Tim Bollinger on his Boomerang 11 is leading a group heading directly into wind east. At the start of todays task, in the top 10 there are 5 Gin Boomerang 11s, 4 Ozone Zenos and 1 Ozone Enzo 2.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:44:31) :
     Gaspard Petiot is very used to big mountain flying as he lives in Haute-Savoie in France%D%AHe has done really well over the last few years in hike and fly comps and was%D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:40:42) :
     The leaders are taking very different lines north to the second turn point. Gaspard Petiot is leading with a more westerly route and Yassen Savov is out in front of the gaggle to the east.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:35:02) :
     We've had great weather forecasts during the comp which has really helped task setting. A big thank you to Dr Lucas Machado who has provided us with excellent detailed weather forecasts and synoptic charts every morning. %D%A%D%A

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:33:30) :
     The top 50 pilots have all got the first turn point to the south of GV. and are now struggling back north with an easterly cross wind.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:31:41) :
     Yassen Savov has got some good music on today and is currently leading the field.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:30:35) :
     Local legend Moises Sodre who flew down with the Olympic torch, has risen like a Phoenix from the flames and is leading the gaggle.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:28:35) :
     None of the current overall leaders in the comp are at the front.%D%A%D%AThe top 10 pilots overall after 9 tasks are: Aaron Durogati, Adrian Hachen, Stefan Wyss, Charles Cazaux, Michael Sigel, Xevi Bonet Dalmau, Torsten Sigel, Jurij, Vidic, Idris Birch and Jean Marc Caron.%D%A%D%ALess than 200 points separate the top 10 places. 43 points separate the first 2 places. 94 points separate the top 3 places. %D%A%D

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:27:15) :
     The leaders have just got the first turn point: Russell Ogden, Gaspard Petiot, Yael Margelisch, Gleb Sukhotskiy and Pierre Remy

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:15:46) :
     Task 9 winner was Gin Gliders

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:14:53) :
     The team comp is going well too. Task 8 winner was Air'G Products who make mainly acro gliders.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:13:01) :
     As Bjornar Trondsen told me before he launched today it is a bit windy but most of the task is cross wind so they should be OK.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:12:38) :
     As Bjornar Trondsen told me before he launched today it is a bit windy but most of the task is cross wind so they should be OK.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 15:00:48) :
     The start is now open

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:59:10) :
     The text at 12.12 should have been every take off NOT every thing. Bloody predictive text

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:49:07) :
     Latest films on the site are tips on what to wear to win a Super Final from Aaron Durogati

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:48:22) :
     Once again there are some great films on World Cup TV.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:42:31) :
     A few are low and struggling a bit in the lee of the hill in front of launch

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:42:08) :
     Virtually all the pilots are off and getting into position for the start

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:34:21) :
     Wow he got off no problem, what a pro, well done Semih

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:33:23) :
     Semih Sayir PWC veteran is laid about to take off across the slope

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:30:14) :
     The wind is coming up the nose but once pilots get height it's fine. We've had some level 1 calls so far which means pilots sending them are OK

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:29:52) :
     The wind is coming up the nose but once pilots get height it's fine. We've had some level 1 calls so far which means pilots sending them are OK

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:25:19) :
     Stefan Wyss is off no problem and climbing well

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:22:46) :
     Lucas Bernardin Is looking dubiously at the feisty take off conditions

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:21:12) :
     Reigning champion Stefan Wyss is laid out ready to go on the south launch but not looking happy about the conditions

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:19:12) :
     Launch is proving less than easy with big woops from the crowds every time a wing folds up

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:16:20) :
     Laurie Genovese and Benedicte Saury are trying to decide whether to battle through the crowds to get to the north launch

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:14:30) :
     There is a real swing vote on which side to go from.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:13:09) :
     Launch is an amazing site, gliders laid out on every centimetre. The crowd going wild with everything take on off.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:08:35) :
     Pilots are taking off both sides. Anyone trying to change sides has had it, the road between north and south take off is packed full of spectators.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:00:58) :
     The window is open

7 years ago (2017-01-28 14:00:35) :
     As Cody Mittanck told me the further east at the start you go will give the option of a nice climb over launch between turn pt 1 and 2.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:53:17) :
     10 minutes to go before the window opens for this all important last task with all to play for still.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:46:00) :
     Luc Armant also told me that his other big tactic for today that he's not going to share with the other pilots is to not fly on his own, stay with the gaggle.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:43:30) :
     With an East North East wind pilots like Luc Armant will take the start to the east of GV to make the race to the first turn point as down wind as possible

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:33:40) :
     As Julian Robinson told me this is a very challenging task with lots of cross wind parts and choices to be made about where to take the start.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:31:28) :
     Although today's task is around GV it is by no means a wind down end of comp anticlimax.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:29:28) :
     Briefing is underway. Ulric Jessop is just explaining that it is still all to play for today. Aaron Durogati 's first place is by no means a given.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:18:08) :
     Today's task also puts us in the record books as being the first ever 10 tasks flown PWC Super Final.

7 years ago (2017-01-28 13:15:34) :
     How do you become a Sky God? Answer: Win the Super Final. In about 5 hours time we'll know who are this years new Sky Gods.