PWC Bulgaria · Day 3

Stopped at 15:51 local time.

Reason: Helicopter on course

Date
Distance: 100.50 km
SSS: 13:00
Task deadline: 18:00

AI-generated feedback summary

Responses: 42
Satisfaction: 3.67/5
Safety: 3.10/5

Overall ratings suggest pilots were moderately satisfied with the task, while safety was viewed more cautiously and received notably more mixed feedback.
Several pilots described the day as more challenging than the previous one, with low cloudbase, inversion, light north wind, turbulence, punchier thermals, mixed valley air, and stronger wind or inversion effects near the eastern turnpoint. A few felt the conditions were manageable despite being active.
Many pilots felt the task involved too much main-ridge or big-mountain flying for the conditions, including low ridge racing and lee-side sections. A few pilots still described the task as good, or appreciated that there were some options on the way out to the flats.
Safety concerns were a recurring theme, with several comments linking the route choice to collapses, rescues, an altitude landing, and tricky lee-side terrain around the second or eastern turnpoint. The task stop close to goal was frustrating for some leading pilots, but comments also recognized that stopping for safety was appropriate.
Several pilots also pointed to pilot behavior and skill as part of the safety picture, saying some pilots put themselves in danger, did not react well to collapses or pitches, or should have spoken up at the briefing if they had concerns. A few suggested more attention to SIV, active piloting, and clearer thinking about what safety-relevant pilot skill means in competition.
Organization feedback was mixed but generally respectful: several pilots thanked the team, called the event well organized, and appreciated retrieval or the effort required during multiple rescues. Isolated comments reported a very poor retrieve experience, and one concrete improvement idea was to create an accident-reporting method beyond radio calls.
The most common improvement request was to reduce main-ridge and lee-side mountain legs on days with north wind, low cloudbase, turbulence, or inversion, and instead send the task earlier to the flats, smaller ridges, or a flatland zig-zag route. A few pilots also asked for more creative task design rather than routes that feel like standard XC lines.