Saturday, May 4
    "Oh to get about 200 in front of the hill…", the most daring of paraglider pilots wishes aloud at the peak of Stranik, as he struggles with his chute in the strong southeast wind before 11 in the morning. The wind is blowing at 10 and in gusts even 12 and after a half-hour battle the tough guy admits that the elements are stronger today, after all. No one else is up for it, and training is over.



    The movement of the front over the Czech Republic has stopped and warm air is streaming in towards Moravia and Slovakia ahead of it. The weather is beautiful, though not for flying.

    At noon the wind picks up to 15m/s and the anemometer indicates an even 20m/s in gusts. Most of those present are definitely packing up and leaving the hill.

    Just like during last year's race the organizers left nothing to chance. At the top of Stranik are three light shelters and a beautiful toilet has been built at the edge of the forest beneath the tall larch trees. It is a work of art and a tribute to whoever built it. Today, though, no one seemed to fee the need, and so maybe there'll be a photo tomorrow. When someone finally comes to sit down …