Tobias Grossrubatscher (ITA2) is in the air – his first short flight of the day. Under the rules of the race athletes are allowed to fly from 6am. Between him and Maurer (SUI1) the other lead athletes, including Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1), Aaron Durogati (ITA1) and Patrick vin Känel (SUI2) are also hiking to get into position, ready for when the thermals start to work.