Wednesday, May 8
    From 8 o'clock in the morning a brisk southeast wind is blowing across Stranik and over the Mala Fatra the first little white clouds begin to pop up in the clear blue sky. The temperature climbs quickly and the market stall next to the starting ground will sell out early today.



    "Briefing! ..." , someone calls at an unbelievable time, but so it is. A large group of pilots is assembled at the start, but not around the director of the race. Besieged by the hungry pack are two girls with "Red Bull" backpacks, from which they willingly pull out chilled cans and give them out for free. The melee is such that it is difficult to make out who's going for what.



    At the real briefing a 37 km long discipline to Cadec, over one turning point in Turzovec is announced and the start window is set for 12:30. No one too eager to take off in the strong wind though.





    Nevertheless, four wind-blown tough guys take off after all and one of them pulls off a neck-breaking stunt from over the to almost hitting the ground. However, because the acrobat in question is the world-famous Tonda Pallas, it isn't as yet clear what percentage of the manoeuvre was intentional.

    After not quite half an hour, two of them on down-turned ears, head down below Stranik to Teplicka and another two land just after them. It is clear sign for those up above and following another hour of waiting in the strong wind, today is declared a non-competing day.




    While some were evidently relieved, others unpack their chutes and try to make it up in weaker intervals. Tonda Pallas drives back up the hill from beneath Stranik, to scare the bejeezus out of tourists with his precision acrobatics.



    Parachutes hang on in strong wind over Stranik until sunset, while a spicy goulash is being prepared in a huge cauldron over the fire. Five people take turns at the tap, while the Sherpa Band (pozoun, tuba, drums and accordion), plays like they did last year. Those who are familiar with the band know what's in store, while those that aren't are in for an experience.





    At the end of today the overall placement remains the same and it is difficult to say whether or not the wind might be even stronger tomorrow than it was today.