Tuesday July 10, 2001
    "It'll clear up!", Milan Michna comforts the others and maybe himself as well in the morning, when seeing Petr Dvorak with his head in his hands over printouts of synoptic maps and meteorological charts. At an altitude of 1,900 meters there is 81% humidity while at the same time an inversion layer is to be found at this altitude which will cause the spreading of the already rapidly forming cloud cover, the bases of which, thanks to the high humidity can be expected below an altitude of 1,500 meters.



    While the weather doesn't look all that pessimistic, just a high misty layer with rapidly forming clouds which indicate that the prediction of bad weather won't be far from the truth.





    At the usual camp briefing at 9 a.m. it is decided to drive up to the higher starting ground of Golte-Boskovec, to an altitude of 1,450 meters and try to come up with a realistic discipline. Following the usual trek from the parking lot to the saddle, up through the woods, to the starting ground it is shown that the forecast didn't lie. The lines of cloud roll across the starting ground and only at moments is it possible to see for a while down into the valley. A discipline 35 kilometers long is announced, but the decision as regards to the opening of the starting window postponed indefinitely. The long wait for the sun begins.





    The wind at the starting ground gradually turns West and begins to pick up, which on a slope facing the southeast isn't exactly the best direction. At 1:00 p.m. a group pack up begins, a hike back to the parking lot in the saddle and a move to the lower starting ground Golte-Planica. But already along the way through the forest the first sounds of thunder are audible. On the starting ground of Golte-Planica at an altitude of 1050 meters above sea level, a brisk west wind blows, which is an even 90o from the right and even the most optimistic begin to give in to dejection.

    At 2 p.m. beneath a hopelessly overcast sky today is declared a non-competing day and that's that. Some racers leave for camp to pack up and head home. Along with ten believers in good food and morals I head for the pizzeria below the starting ground of Tirsek near one of the turning points. At the restaurant we choose from the categories of, "Kadilci - Nekadilci", rather non-smoking and already ten large pizzas with olives and some of that "Salatni Krosnik" and for dessert, understandably, "Palacinke z Orehi".




    Delicious food in a pleasant atmosphere is embellished outside by ice cream and the sun is shining again, just like yesterday in the late afternoon. In the camp, meanwhile, the more sport-oriented participants have been playing volleyball for several hours, until the sweat pours off them and they await 7 p.m. for the verdict of the organizers as to what will ensue.



    At 7 p.m. it is decided to stay and place all bets on tomorrow. Yesterday's overall placing of the race stays valid after today and tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. it will be decided whether to drive up the mountain or drive home.

    The evening party is perfect as always and embellished by several competitions, including "Miss Wet T-Shirt". But because this contest doesn't seem to bring the potential competitors running, all of the present girls are taken and thrown into the nearby stream and it's done.







    "Look, that there when you took my picture with him/her, that one, don't put that one in please.", I hear this same line from various people all night, and even from those of whom I'd never expect it. And because in the end they even threw me into the stream, I chose from the 56 photos of the evening very carefully. But one day ...