Saturday, 12th of July
    Even though the morning is sunny and relatively warm, the fast approaching high and medium cloud cover leads one to suspect that today will not witness a battle for a large amount of points. The weak southwesterly wind finally allows the starting point of Nová hola to be used, and at 11 o'clock the entire starting field takes the cablecar up to the start.



    In the meantime, however, the whole sky closes over as a result of a continuous front, with the first of the showers approaching from the west. Free flying is thus given preference before the announced discipline, and if any competition is being held at all it is subject to the rule that he who takes off quickly wins.




    At noon it begins to drizzle and the results of this year's Victoria Cup is definitely decided. It is high time to start preparations for the final party, and the best way is to begin cleaning potatoes for the goulash.

    Even though there are no actual winners or losers for reason of the invalidity of the disciplines, prizes are given out regardless, based on the number of kilometres flown during the Friday, which was the most points-rich day. The most valuable trophy thus goes to Peter Vrabec for his 37 kilometre-long flight, with other prizes going to Jaroslav Jandúch and Peter Hrivnák. Andrzej Walczak, the best of the Polish pilots is also rewarded, as is Júlia Briatková, the sole female competitor.

    At nightfal Marek, in addition to his usual guitar and mouth organ, also takes out an accordian, with two violin players joining in, with even the Polish singing.





    It's a pity that a relatively high number of pilots left Donovaly back on the Friday evening, leaving the heavy burden of responsibility for Saturday night's demanding consumption to those that remained. And the over-abundance of all manner of food and drink did not suit everyone.



    My final thanks go to Miro Jančiarov, the main organiser of the event, for accomodating me at Camp Kamzík, as well as arranging for Internet access, with my admiration going to the Polish pilots who, immediately following a very bad week of racing in Austria, managed to last another week of relatively inclement weather in Donovaly. During the seven competition days only two disciplines were flown, but unfortunately not one of these was recognised for reason of the low number of kilometres flown. In short, man cannot order the wind or rain to follow instructions. But maybe this year's bad luck has been exhausted and next year's 2004 event will bask in the same good weather which accompanied last year's Victoria Cup.