Day 7 (August 23)
    Glorious day with a base of 3200mt and the Brazilians invent a task of 192km with a speed session of 178km!! This gives the confirmation that the pilot's level of the competitors is really high! In fact at least 40 pilots reach goal amongst whom 5 Italians; Christian (11th), Filippo (12th), Tullio, Davide and Alex. Federico lands at 44 km from goal.

    The incredible Manfred wins the task; at the last glide Manfred is at ±1km behind Mario Alonzi, he overtakes him at ±100 metres from the goal line. Third, right behind, is Robert Reisinger, who establishes his second position in the general results. Slightly in delay is Betinho, and a bit later arrives Antoine Bosselier.

    Alex, instead, is the author of a sensational recovery at only 50mt from the ground. While he prepares himself to the final landing he notices that the plants below him are moving a lot and sees that a plastic bag is rising quickly. He immediately realizes that there is a formation of a dust devil and therefore decides to try to turn the glider. The first turns in thermal are made at ±65km/h, with his hand firmly to the speedbar. The generated thermal allows Alex to arrive at goal.

    Thomas Wiesenberger is less lucky, he makes a tumbling right after the first turn point and is forced to open his emergency at more than 2000mt (1000mt from the ground).


 Photo Flavio Tebaldi

 Photo Flavio Tebaldi

    Luckily Thomas does not suffer any consequences, apart from having lost his flight instruments.

    The Italian team recovers 300 points on the Austrian team, but still remains behind the Austrians, Brazilians and French.


Manfred Ruhmer's comment:
    It was a SUPER day with a SUPER task. Most pilots took the first start gate so there was a real racing mood. Especially about ±30km before goal the pilots in the leading gaggle try different ways to get ahead. The best is Mario Alonzi, who is the highest and at ± 30km before goal he started his final glide.

    I was in another thermal at ± 25km from goal and higher than the other pilots and so could keep a good eye on them. As I reached enough height for the final glide I could see Mario already quite ahead and at the same altitude as me, flying towards the goal.

    At this time I was sure that I could not reach him anymore, but all the same I tried. From the beginning with 80km/h to 100km/h gliding I could slowly reach Mario. Right before the goal I managed to fly wing by wing with him, said hello to him and left him a few seconds behind to win the day.