Monday, August 4
    "I've had a defect, it must be some kind of sign," announces Juraj Kleja, first thing in the morning, as if he intuitively knew he wouldn't make the goal today. At the morning briefing in front of the Björnson Chalet a pleasant surprise awaits him however - as the winner of yesterday's discipline he is applauded and awarded a new pair of warm socks. By now clouds have begun drifting in from the High Tatras Mountains and the sunlight dims rapidly.





    Warm weather this is isn't and at the usual starting ground at 1900 meters the temperature barely reaches 11°C. Despite the fact that the sun barely shines through the even cloud cover, a 45km long discipline is announced at the briefing, this time in the direction away from the mountains. Today's starting point is the Lúčky landing field, the first turning point is Chopok, the second is the antennas at Závažné Poruby and the goal is the district of Važec. The start window will be open from 12:30 to 15:00 due to the shading of the terrain.

    Shortly after noon the cloud cover completely breaks up and by 12:52 Juraj Kleja takes off in new tennis shoes and warm socks. Not quite three minutes later he is followed by Hvôrka and in a short while both are hunting risers over the crest. A two-man crew from JoJ Television, (the Slovak branch of Czech Nova T.V.), and, besides yesterdays collisions, they are very interested in the Polish racers and their equipment.



    Even though the cloud bases lie at approximately the same altitudes as yesterday, the northwest headwind makes difficult the progress to the second turning point. A total of 21 pilots ends their flight at the Lúčky landing field or in its vicinity.

    Only 25 racers make it beyond the second turning point at the 19th Kilometer today. A mere 2.5 km separates Peter Vyparina from the goal upon his landing and the goal itself is reached by only three racers, by chance all Czech. By this time Juraj Kleja has packed up at the 25th Kilometer with 20 remaining to the goal. In the overall placing this means he drops immediately to fourth place. A flat tire and his bad luck is complete.

    The best time at the goal is achieved by Miroslav "Radar" Stehula and he becomes the winner of today's discipline. Coming in just 4 seconds later is Pavel Dohnálek and another ten minutes later is František Sperl. In the overall placing of the race then, today's victorious pair moves into first and second place and third place goest to Miroslav Matovič, who is flying in the Hobby category, for his landing on the 36th kilometer.

    "A guy was asking if I want a drink," says Robert Setnička , as he describes the first moments following his dramatic landing in the cottage camp near the landing ground. He'd barely had enough altitude to make it over the forest, without reaching the landing field. Worse luck was had, though, by Pavel "Arthur" Kvarda, who lacked several meters of altitude, and slightly damaged his chute landing in the forest. Second place in the Hobby category is lost following today, but but David Bzirský saved him from having to leave for home by loaning him his wing.




    The weather forcast for tomorrow promises more sunshine with high temperatures and northerly streaming. It looks like another racing day.