Monday July 9, 2001
    "So, this here, this is it. That blurred, shitty curve.", Petr Dvorak describes with relatively precise expert terminology the satellite picture of the cloud cover over Europe, in the organizers' cabin, and points to some light, stretched spots while outside it begins to rain from the totally overcast sky.

    At the briefing, which takes place this time under the organizers' tent, the decision on today's discipline is postponed for later. Bohdan Wojkowsky is then applauded, along with Ondrej Nezbeda, for yesterday's sacrifice of landing and rescuing the Polish pilot. And because the organizers add a point bonus to the applause, there are some changes in the overall placing this morning.

    Shortly before 11 a.m. it stops raining, but the decision on today is once again postponed, this time until 1 p.m. Some cannot handle this psychologically and leave for the pizzeria and to tour the ice caves. Others go to the swings to prepare themselves and their stomachs for potential turbulence in the air.



    An hour after noon, thanks to an improvement in the weather, it is decided after all to head up to the lowest starting ground, Golte-Planica and because the cloud cover is breaking up and the sun is shining through and rapidly drying the slopes, a start window is even opened at 3:30 p.m. The discipline is one over four turning points with a goal at the village of Varpolje near camp.

    The overall length of the route is 24 kilometers and the minimum distance set at 22 kilometers. This means then that to qualify today's discipline, at least 20% of the total number of pilots must practically reach the goal. A truly difficult to meet criterion when after a subjective evaluation of the conditions more than 20 pilots aren't even flying.

    Already just past 4 p.m. the first racers appear low over the goal line. Unfortunately it is on their way to the first turning point. Many of them are unable to do even this and Karel Vrbensky even heartily runs through the goal line, but following a short foot hike and his equipment all packed on his back.




    The only one to make two of four turning points today is Jirka Prochazka, who, following an hour-long battle, lands on the 17th kilometer of the route. And because no one makes it past the minimum required distance of 22 kilometers today, today's discipline is declared not valid and the overall placing from yesterday morning remains the same.

    The weather forecast for the next days is not entirely clear, but optimistic. In any case if the weather permits at all, there will be racing tomorrow and the day after.