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most of the 48 pilots that attended the European Open in Morzine-Avoriaz
/ Les Gets on June 22-30, this was a fun, stress-free competition
with good flights and a nice atmosphere. The Pre-Europeans
had the mission to test or verify important aspects for next
year's European Championship, like the launch sites that will
be used or the emergency procedures in case of an accident.
Even the president of the Free flight Commission of the FAI
(CIVL), Flip Koetsier, came one day to see how the Open was
going on and to wish the pilots "a safe competition";
and two FAI stewards stayed during the week to watch the championship.
Some things happened differently than planned for the organizers
though. The original meet director, Ali Gali,
suffered an accident just before the Open and had to be replaced
by Xavier Murillo (from the Paragliding World
Cup Association) at the last moment. Ali is now recovering
well and, if everything goes as expected, he will be the meet
director at the Europeans -as he is one of the persons who
better know the area and has a wide experience in paragliding
competitions. Also, there were fewer pilots registered than
expected by the organizers, which forced them to deal with
a lower budget. In the end, things worked out well and the
general organizer, Jean-François Charriere, was happy
with the results and very optimistic about next year major
event: the European Championship.
Four
tasks were flown in 7 days and Jean Marc Caron
(FR, UP Targa 2) was first in two of them, keeping the leadership
until the last day. For him this was the coolest
competition in a long time and was happy with the tasks every
day: “I felt no pressure at all, just like in the early
days!” he said. Second best was Philippe Broers
(BE, Aircross Ultima 3) who won the 4th task and was fast
and efficient in the air. Third on the podium was Mexican
Santiago Baeza (Gin Boomerang 4), who hiked
up to launch every day training for the next X-Alps! Six women
competed (a 12%) and Marina Olexina (Gin
Boomerang 4) from Russia was the winner, followed by Anja
Kroll (CH, Gin Zoom Race), and Marie-Hélène
Leduc
(FR, Airwave) in third place.
The
weather was hot and sunny during most of the week, with cloudbase
between 2900 and 3600m, good thermals and only one day of
strong turbulences in some places due to the breeze coming
from the Lac Le Man (Geneva lake) that made the lee sides
quite technical. The only accident of the event happened that
day to a British pilot, Charlie Merret, who was caught by
a rotor and crashed, ending with a broken arm. He was quickly
rescued by helicopter and will be ok soon.
The organizers made good efforts to put up a safe and fun
championship. A special protocol was used to report the conditions
through the security frequency: level 1 for 'safe', level
2 for 'risky at some places', and level 3 for ‘dangerous’.
They, together with the local town-halls, also organized welcome
drinks at goal, a BBQ, a few dinner parties for all the pilots
after the tasks, and some technical talks about various subjects.
There was a friendly atmosphere at the event and everybody
had a good time, and enjoyed the flying. Among the competitors
there were some non-europeans, coming from countries like
Japan, USA, India or Mexico.
The
area showed its great potential for paragliding and all the
beauty of the alpine landscapes. Furthermore, the towns of
Morzine and Les Gets are
wonderful places to stay, offering a solid touristy infrastructure
with accommodation to suit all budgets, plenty of places to
enjoy the delicious alpine cuisine, great possibilities
for non-flyable days or companions, comfortable lifts to reach
the take-offs, and everything the Alps are famous for! |
*Thanks to the organizers of the European Open, especially
to Jean-François Charriere, for their help to make
this report possible. Their website is www.europaragliding.com.
Also big thanks to the Tourist Office of Les
Gets that offered us their hospitality to
stay in the village during the comp. +Info, activities, accommodation,
etc, at:
www.lesgets.com |
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| The
podium, from left to right: Philippe Broers (2nd), Jean
Marc Caron (1st) and Santiago Baeza (3rd) |
The
best girls: Anja Kroll (left) and Marina Olexina (right) |
The
Competition
Three of the tasks started from Mont Chéry
(1800m), a take-off easily accessible by telecabin and chair lift
from the village of Les Gets. One task launched from Col du Fornet,
Avoriaz, at 2119m. The first task was a race
to goal of 44,4 km. 15 pilots reached goal, Jean Marc Caron first,
followed by Philippe Broers, Stephan Drouin (FR, Aircross Ultima
3), Nick Greece (USA, UP Trango 2) and Olivier Tops (FR, Mac Para
Magus). No women in goal today. The second day had storms forecasted
and the task was cancelled.
Task
2 - Day 3
We arrived in time to follow the second task (without
the difficult parts ;-) to make pictures. The pilots launched
from Mont Chéry (Les Gets) and had to fly 61,1
km. There were a few difficult points that left some
pilots grounded before goal, but most of them completed the task:
36 pilots in goal! The first was, again, Jean Marc Caron.
After him came Philippe Broers, Erwan Didriche (FR, Aircross Ultima
3), Olivier Tops, Santiago Baeza, Marcus Malmqvist (DNK, Gradient
Avax RSE), Simon Issenhuth and Charles Cazaux (FR, Gin Glider
Boomerang 4). Caroline
Brille (FR, Advance Omega 6), who did not fly all the
tasks, was the first woman in goal today.
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The
wonderful take-off of Mont Chéry, right above Les Gets. |
Starting
to climb.
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Le
Roc D'Enfer (the Hell's rock) helped us as the first point of lift
on the second task. It was an easy and quick climb on its sides
and was used both ways before the pilots flew over the ski station
of Avoriaz. |
European
Championship 2006
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Jean-François Charriere, Organizer:
"This
is a wonderful area to host the Europeans"
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| The
main organizer of the European Championship 2006, Jean-François
Charriere, has been living in Morzine for 10 years and loves
it. After the World Cup event of 2002, he and other local
pilots thought it would be a good idea to bring a big event
to the area, and started working on the candidature for
the Europeans. And they won!
Now, they have a lot of work to do to receive nearly 150
pilots from all over the continent to fly the Championship
next year. But a big part of the work has been already completed
during the European Open. This event was the opportunity
to verify important things for next year’s main continental
event.
“This is an important challenge for us and we
needed to test many things, like the new take-off
of Avoriaz that had not been used for 12
years and proved to be a good starting point”
he said. Actually, the east-faced slope of Col de Fornet
receives the sun rays since very early making possible to
start a task at 11-11:30 in the morning!
Other aspect tested during the Open was the time needed
to reach the take-offs from the headquarters in Morzine:
the longest, although comfortable ride was to Col de Fornet,
about 1000m above Morzine, using the ski lift –specially
opened for the comp. The landing zone in Les Gets was also
new: a grassy field just behind the tourist office that
showed to be perfect for the task.
“The emergency procedures were carefully arranged
and, unfortunately, we had the chance to test them during
the 3rd task: It only took 25 minutes for the helicopter
to rescue the pilot who had the accident, since the time
it was reported by other pilots on the radio”
explains Jean-François. He remarks that security
is very important for the organization of such a big event.
Next year, the HQ will be again at the Ecole du Ski Français
chalet in Morzine, a building with wi-fi internet connection
and all the comfort for the high number of people expected
to attend. There will be a Press Office in Les Gets,
big enough to accomodate 300 journalists -proved during
the world championship of mountain bike last year- also
with all the facilities for the media. We might not make
300, but surely all the specialized press will be there!
The work for the organizers now is to make a good staff
of around 20 persons that will work during the Europeans.
The meet director of the Open was Xavier Murillo due to
the accident suffered by Ali Gali, but
Ali is the person that the organizers hope will be in charge
of this job next year. He is one of the pioneers of paragliding
and a much respected pilot who has been free flying for
more than 25 years (he is 53 now). He’s also one of
the persons who better know the area, and Jean-François
believes he’ll be able to design the best possible
tasks for the conditions, even longer than 120 km!
“I am sure that we have good chances to have a
wonderful championship next year”, he says.
+Info:
www.europaragliding.com
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Transitions
were done mostly at half speedbar -except for the leading group
(they were fast!). The air was not turbulent. |
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| The
orange gliders of the Palsecam Team are easily recognizable elsewhere |
Climbing
in the Alps
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Glide in front of "Dent du Midi" (CH) |
Going to the turnpoint of Avoriaz |
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Happy
faces at the LZ, next to the comp HQ and with a bar onsite...
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Task
3 -
day 4
The
ski telepherique of Avoriaz was put to work today exclusively
for the PG pilots of the Open. The take-off of Col de Fornet,
at 2200m, had not been used for 12 years and it is located at
a protected natural area. The task started at 11:30 and had 77,1
km with goal in Morzine, next to the HQ. The slope on
the right offered some lift but the best first climbs were found
a bit to the valley. Cloudbase was easily reachable over the take
off. The task took the pilots north, towards the Lake of Geneva,
where they found strong turbulences on the lee sides. There was
one accident but the pilot was quickly rescued by helicopter.
24 pilots reached goal, the first Charles Cazaux
-8 minutes before Jean Marc Caron, who was 2nd. After them: Philippe
Broers, Stephane Drouin (FR, Aircross Ultima 3), Santiago Baeza
and Jacques Fournier (FR, Gradient Avax RSE). Marina Olexina
was the first woman in goal, in the 11th place overall.
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The
launch of Col de Fornet is special, quite steep at some points and
perfectly faced to the east. This, together with its good altitude
(2200m) makes possible to start flying very early. Today the window
was open at 11:30 and there were good thermals already. |
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Cloudbase
was not so high today - around 3000m |
The
accident happened at the left side of this ridge (Mt Chaufeé).
It was a very turbulent area and Charlie had his glider in deep
stall when he hit the ground, and broke his arm. Minutes of nerves
and adrenaline for all the pilots above. Fortunately, he was evacuated
very quickly. |
Straight to the peak, Dent D'Orche, the turnpoint in front of Lake
Leman. Although the prevailing breeze was coming from the lake,
the thermal was well defined on the lee side and the climb was easy. |
About 25 km to the next turnpoint. There were difficult parts of
strong winds where most pilots were low, and others with poor conditions
that made us exercise patience while soaring... |
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The
fastest pilots in goal were those flying with Targas 2, Ultimas
3 or Booms 4. Nevertheless, some more basic gliders could make it
too, like a Gin Ganster or the Arcus 4 (DHV1/1-2) that we were flying
to make the pictures for this report. |
Once landed, all our desires reduced to a shade and a freezing-cold
beer! (at least for me!) |
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Task
4 -
day 5
Today, a task of 47,3 km and 6 turnpoints
is set. The pilots launch from Mont Chery (Les Gets) in weak conditions
that will improve slowly during the afternoon. 31 pilots manage
to make goal in Morzine, the first Philippe Broers,
second Santiago Baeza and Jean Marc Caron third. Right after them
came Stephan Drouin, Erwan Didriche (FR, Aircross Ultima 3), Charles
Cazaux and Jamie Messenger (GBR, UP Targa). The first woman
is Marina Olexina (17th overall).
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| Waiting
for the window opening |
Greg
Blondeau, ready to launch his Magus 4 |
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Stein Tore E. from Norway. |
Sharing the thermal with 2
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Marina Olexina, on her very small glider
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Max Petersen from Groenland, saying hi! |
The
site:
Morzine - Avoriaz & Les Gets |
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The European Championship 2006 will be
in the same area of the Open, some 80 km south east from
Geneva, in the French Alps (department of Haute Savoie).
The competition headquarters will be in
Morzine, where there’s one official
landing field. The take-offs that will be used are Mont
Chéry, in Les Gets, and Col du Fornet
in Avoriaz. Both have easy, quick and comfortable access
with telepherique, telecabin, and chairlifts.
This alpine area has hosted five Paragliding World Cups
and a few French Championships, in which many wonderful
flights have been achieved. The flying zone is in the middle
of a non regulated area (FL 195) which gives the meet direction
the opportunity to set long tasks, even of more than 100
kms.
Mont Chéry (1825m) is a south, north
and west take-off with three landing fields.
Col du Fornet (2119m) is a south/southeast
take-off facing the prevailing breeze above the inversion
layers. Early tasks can start from here before noon.
The village of Les Gets is a quiet, charming
location, famous for biking and paragliding in the summer
season, and very busy with skiing in winter. The Europeans'
press center will be based here.
Morzine-Avoriaz is a winter complex comprised
by the town of Morzine and the ski centre of Avoriaz, about
500m higher. It has a busy paragliding season in summer,
with two schools and many tandem pilots based here.
Both places offer a solid touristy infrastructure to welcome
the paraglider pilots and their companions during the Europeans.
Morzine has 53 hotels, 30 of which have
swimming pools, plus some tourist residences, blocks of
flats, apartments and chalets to rent. There’s a 10%
discount for hotels if you mention “Europaragliding”
when booking accommodation by phone: +33(0)4 50 79 11 57.
www.resa-morzine.com.
In
Les Gets there are many apartments for
rent and prices are quite fair. There are some good hotels
too. You will find very useful info and even easy online
booking in www.lesgets.com |
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Charles Cazaux
(F), with the "Dent du Midi" (Switzerland) on the background
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The thin and long Ultima 3 |
The new competition glider from Aerodyne, the Massai, in the hands
of Nicolas Pisar (FR) |
Smily People & cool atmosphere
On the last two days of the Euro
Open there was bad weather. It rained all day on Wednesday so we
had a free day for walking, sightseeing, using internet, biking,
eating, sleeping or whatever... The organization arranged a talk
about FAI and World Cup competitions and the selection system to
enter. On previous days there were other talks, one about the subject:
'how to win a task' (given by the day's winners). During the week
there was also a spaghetti night, a BBQ, a welcome cocktail at the
LZ in Les Gets, and a 'sangria' evening at the HQ. Good for meeting
the rest of the pilots and share the day's experiences! On Thursday,
the last day, we had a cloudy sky that slowly cleared, but the clouds
were very low. That, and the anounce of a front coming from the
west pushed the organizers to cancel the task and let the pilots
fly free. There was a nice session of acro following...
Full results of the Open and +info at www.europaragliding.com |
Jean Marc Caron, the number 1 |
Organization at launch |
Xavier Murillo, meet director and photographer |
Leroy Westerkamp from the Netherlands |
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The
girls: Marina Olexina from Russia. She's been competing
for just 2 years, getting good results. She flies an XXS
Boomerang 4! |
Heike
Rummens, from Belgium |
Nicky
Moss (UK, Advance Omega 6) was in the British Team at the Worlds
and hopes to be next year in Morzine! |
Aki
Murakami from Japan (Advance Sigma 5) says she is "very
conservative" but flew bravely across the turbulences
on the 3rd task. |
Right
and below: Relax time at launch and LZ. Good for watching
other pilots' acros, reading or listening to Philippe's music (coming
from his harness!) |
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Philippe's
way: The Belgian pilot made the harness himself to fit
a couple of speakers on the top, so that he can play music for his
mates in a thermal, or just fly in a disco mood... The devil-woman
gives him inspiration to go fast... |
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Nick
Greece, from USA |
Max
Petersen from Groenland! |
Greg
Blondeau - France |
Erwan
Didriche - France |
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Santiago
Baeza, hiking to launch. In one hour he can climb 500m, he says
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Yves
Gueslain, explaining some routes across the Alps to Santiago -who
will compete in the X-Alps in August. |
Nicky
Moss and Mark Graham (UK), a PG couple living in Spain |
Jeff
Huey, from the USA |
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Adie,
from India (he lives in Japan though!) |
Marcus
Malmqvistd, Denmark |
Barbecue
night at the HQ: Philippe, Daniel+Claudia from Ojovolador, Paula
(Santiago's girlfriend) and Santiago |
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Next
year, more: The Europeans!!
See ya there... |
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