Sunday, 28 September 2003
    They all got up before seven but it is absolutely clear that some won't be capable of flying at all and others only with the greatest amount of self-denial. But the railway worker who turns the handle and closes the wooden gate every morning at this time doesn't look much better. Fortunately for the contestants, the wind is blowing too strong and they can go back to sleep. Those interested have a chance to show off for a while. As Vlado Tranžík is preparing his double-seated tricycle with a Trabant motor, Matúš Škvarka is already gallivanting about above the airport in his harness.





    The closing ceremony for announcing the winners and handing out the huge number of prizes is scheduled for 10 a.m. and is attended by several sponsors. The winner of this year's Slovak Championship in Powered Paragliding is the Moravian Pavel Březina, while Bohemian Josef Káčer stands on the second-place platform and Slovak Matúš Škvarka takes third.



    Besides the cups for the winners, prizes ranging from propellers to flashlights to caps and t-shirts are presented to the other participants in several rounds. When that's over the only thing left to do is load up their cars with the left-over bottles of mineral water.

    To conclude I have to thank the main organizer of the competition Matúš Škvarka for providing accommodation directly at the spa, the personnel at Partizánske Airport for providing internet access, and namely Joža Kuník for his excellent guide services around the airport and the countryside around it.

    Partizánske Airport is a truly curious place. The airport building is equipped with a bar and provides cheap accommodation. The spa grounds, with park benches, thermal springs, a sauna, masseuses, and the opportunity to bathe in the bubbling hot water, extend right up to the hangar. The Russian poet Pushkin took a shining to this place a long time ago and spent a lot of time here. You won't find a place to swim in order to cool down here but rather to cook in: the water temperature can be as high as 37°C. Maybe that's why that poor guy Alexej Sergejevič got shot in that duel, who knows …



    Long live the winner of the 2003 Slovak Championship Pavel Březina! Shall we all meet again here at Partizánske Airport next year for the Slovak Championship 2004. And perhaps even at the series of competitions for the 2004 Czech Republic Championship.