18th FAI European Paragliding Championships · Day 5

Stopped at 16:40 local time.

Reason: Rain in Goal

Date
Distance: 91.18 km
SSS: 13:45
Task deadline: 18:00

AI-generated feedback summary

Responses: 63
Satisfaction: 4.24/5
Safety: 4.02/5

Overall, pilots rated the day’s task very positively, while safety was also viewed favorably but with more reservations due to fires, smoke, wind, rain, and traffic.
Task quality received many positive comments, with several pilots calling the task well set for the conditions and appreciating the planning. A few pilots felt the northern point/Krushevo turnpoint was too far or placed pilots low over terrain in strong wind, and one suggested making the task harder later rather than at the beginning.
Safety concerns centered strongly on fires and smoke on or near the course line, including around B3 and a turnpoint, with several pilots unsure how close they could fly while helicopters were operating. Reduced visibility, flying near smoke, and the perception that a turnpoint was effectively “on fire” made some pilots feel the task was scary or less safe.
Pilot behavior was a recurring concern: several pilots reported that groups continued toward or over smoke/fire areas despite radio instructions not to do so, and some felt this created an unfair performance advantage. Multiple pilots suggested reviewing tracks and penalizing those who used fires or smoke for altitude gain against instructions.
Weather and conditions were mixed: strong wind at takeoff was repeatedly mentioned as unpleasant or “on the edge,” though some pilots said it was controlled well by helpers. Rain, overdevelopment, convergence lines, weak/crammed thermals, and reduced visibility near smoke were also cited as affecting comfort and safety, especially late in the course.
Organization comments were generally appreciative, including praise for helpers, weather consideration, and opening a specific cobra-launch queue. Improvement comments included clearer and calmer radio handling during strong-wind launch periods, more explicit instructions around fire/smoke avoidance, and concerns about fairness when later pilots reportedly had only 20–25 minutes before the cylinder opened.
Goal and stopping decisions drew a few specific concerns: one pilot said the task was not stopped when rain was reported along the route but was stopped before they crossed goal, which felt unfair, and another mentioned rain in the final 10 km. For improvement, pilots asked for clearer criteria and communication around stopping, goal conditions, and how pilot weather reports are acted on.