Day four: The sky is blue and some small clouds are starting to build. The day looks very promising. And since we are in Fiesch nobody cares much about the inversion which the emmagramm is showing. A task over 70km is set with a early deadline because of the prize giving. But as we all got in the air we find quite stable conditions. The first turn point is already very difficult for most of the pilots, because it is in a bowl and many people are too low to get close enough to the turnpoint. With some passion and a small detour to the next mountain I finally got the turnpoint and continued on the track. I knew if I wanted to be in goal before the deadline, I had to hurry. So I flew as fast as I could in these stable conditions. Gladly there was also a lot of free flyers around, so I got an idea where it will climb. The second waypoint was up in Goms and quite easy to take. Then we had to go to the same one as first time again before crossing the valley in Brig. I was sure that now the conditions would be better and the turnpoint easier to take. But I should be only right for the first few pilots. By the time I was there, nobody was able to make the cylinder. People where soaring there for a long time. The mountain I climbed up first time did not work any more either. So was that it? The time was going to stop in half an our anyway. But suddenly I saw some people going around the mountain, inside the valley towards the glacier. Yes, that’s it, the turnpoint must be reachable from the back! First I was a bit scared about the outflow of the glacier, but then realised that the whole ridge was in the luv side of the valley wind and not dangerous at all. It worked out very well and I was mad about me not have thought about that earlier! Then the time was running away, I just flew fast to the other side and almost reached the next, second last turnpoint on the other side of the valley. Then soaring up and free flying back to fiesch. Only 7 Pilots made it back to goal in time.

Soon after landing I found out, that de girls on second and third position did not take that third waypoint. Uf, would I get enough points more to overtake them? A medal would be very nice! After some nervous waiting for the results I was extremely happy to see it was enough! I made second place behind Anja Kroll. And on top of that I made best lady on the task today.

I went to the swisschampionships with the goal to get a medal. That it would not be gold, I was quite sure, because Anja is just flying too much better than me. So I am very happy to receive silver medal. 

Best Ozone Pilot was the german Rüdiger Gördes, 13. overall on his Mantra race.

Susanne, Interlaken 25.08.08