Paragliding
The Swiss mountains are calling
Leading group of athletes enter high mountain territory.
Just two days after setting off from Kitzbühel - Kirchberg, Austria, the leading group of athletes had crossed the Alps to Italy, journeyed into Switzerland and by late afternoon, were starting to think about the next leg to Mont Blanc, France.
The 32 athletes have faced storms and strong winds so far but on the third day of the race, the weather gods finally delivered, allowing athletes to cover over 150km of the course line through the mountains of Italy and Switzerland.
The day began in the Venosta Valley, about 40km west of Merano. Athletes can officially start moving at 04:00 but for six athletes serving a three-hour time penalty, it meant starting at 07:00. For every athlete, it involved a steep and long hike up the flanks of this valley to get into a position to unfurl their paragliders and continue in the air.
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Athletes soon formed into groups, working together to find thermals, the elevators of warm air that allow them to gain height and make distance. Having missed out on being first on his home turf, Turnpoint 4, Merano 2000 yesterday, Aaron Durogati (ITA1) landed beside the crystal-blue waters of Lake St. Moritz at 13:35. Shortly after him Patrick von Känel (SUI2) arrived.
Aaron Durogati (ITA1) landing at the X-Turnpoint in St. Moritz
© zooom / Sebastian Marko
Chrigel Maurer (SUI1) gliding into the landing field
© zooom / Sebastian Marko
Tommy Friedrich (AUT3) signing the X-Turnpoint in St. Moritz
© zooom / Sebastian Marko
Third to arrive at the Turnpoint was the Brazilian athlete Gabriel Jansen Rabello (BRA). He was immediately greeted by a swarm of Brazilian fans and supporters. “I’m having such a good day. I woke up a little behind the main group but I managed to catch up, I’m so happy to be here with my friends,” he said.
On their way to Disentis Sedrun
Athletes wasted no time getting on the move again, racing to the Turnpoint sign in the center of St. Moritz before hiking once again into the mountains. The next Turnpoint is Disentis Sedrun – a distance of 81km. By late afternoon it looked likely that several athletes would make it.
“Yesterday was a very tough day for athletes with very tricky flying conditions,” said the race co-founder and organizer Ulrich Grill. “We appeal to them to use their common sense when it comes to safety. We do have rules to punish reckless behavior, but ultimately, it’s up to athletes to make their own decisions. Fortunately, yesterday’s strong winds have subsided, and the weather is looking much better from now.”
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