CIVL Bureau decisions & actions – February 2007

During the past month, the following decisions and actions have been taken by the Bureau, on behalf of CIVL: 1. The CIVL Bureau Meeting minutes and the CIVL Plenary Meeting minutes have been published on the CIVL website. See: http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/meetings/bureau/2007_feb and http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/meetings/plenary/2007 2. An ‘Approved Local Regulations’ section has been set up on the website, and the first entry under this heading is a link to the Local Regulations for the FAI World Hang Gliding Championship 2007, Big Spring, Texas. See: http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/LocalRegulations

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CIVL President takes to the ice

Because I think that there should be better and more frequent communication between the CIVL bureau and the pilots and because I wanted to get acquainted with one of the CIVL’s smaller, but fast growing disciplines, I travelled to Trakai in Lithuania in February, where the 4th FAI World Paragliding Accuracy Championship was held.

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Slovenia takes gold in Paragliding Accuracy

For the third time in a row, Slovenia takes home the gold medals for Paragliding Accuracy. Matjaz Feraric is the FAI World Champion for the second time, and his team took first place once again. Silver medallist is Andy Webster from UK. And 16 year old Martin Jovanoski of Macedonia won third place. In the team competition, Czech Republic took second place and UK gathered the bronze medals.

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Tension mounts for the 2007 Paragliding Accuracy World Champions

The tension is wound up to full now, with 11 out of a possible 12 rounds flown. Tomorrow, Friday, is a rest day, and pilots, organisers, judges and jury will attend (and some will participate in) Trakai’s famous ‘Catch the Wind’ festival, held every year on Lithuania Independence Day.

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Slovenian stamina shows at Paragliding Accuracy Worlds

With just three rounds to go, the Slovenians, twice world champions, are striding ahead once again at the 4th FAI World Paragliding Accuracy Championship, on Lake Galves, Trakai in frozen Lithuania. With pilots in 1st, 2nd and 10th places and top team position, Slovenia is pulling ahead in these tough, cold and nil wind conditions. Czech Republic is closing fast on the team stakes, while pilots from Bulgaria, Serbia, UK, Macedonia and Ukraine are chasing the individual medals. With stronger winds today, some are anticipating there could be some change at the top.

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2007 Plenary Meeting – Rules rationalised

After much debate, new rules were agreed on determining PG team size, re-allocation of extra places and pilot qualification criteria. Other key issues included scoring software, WPRS improvements, HG sprog setting checks and competition safety. The 2009 World Championship for paragliding was awarded to Mexico and paragliding accuracy to Croatia. With at least three proposals at the 2007 CIVL Plenary concerning the setting of PG team size and pilot qualification for paragliding Category 1 competitions, it was not surprising that this topic dominated the discussions both before and during the meeting. The PG subcommittee meeting on the day before the Plenary overran by four hours, as team size and related issues were hotly debated.

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Competition hots up on Lithuania’s frozen lake

Now half way through, the 4th FAI World Paragliding Accuracy Championship, being held on Lake Galves, Trakai, Lithuania, is shifting gear, as individuals and teams run a closely run competition. Six of a possible 12 rounds have been flown as we move into Day 5. Although Slovenia leads the team competition, there is not such a huge gap between them and second placed Czech Republic and UK in third. Former champion, Matjaz Feraric (SLO) is leading the individual competition, with surprise newcomer Tzvetan Tzolov from Bulgaria in second, and Andy Webster of UK in third place. Another rising star, Irina Avane of Latvia is leading the womens’ competition.

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Minutes of the February Bureau Meeting

The Minutes of the CIVL Bureau Meeting held in Talloires on 1 February 2007 can be found at http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/meetings/bureau/2007_feb Significant decisions made and issues discussed include:

• Financial planning and budget proposals for 2007
• Need for revision of Organiser Agreement
• Ensuring competition results are received from organisers
• Plenary preparations: - handling proposals in SCs and Plenary - re-ordering Agenda items
• Subcommittee Meetings at future Plenaries should run over two days
• Website responsibilities and keeping it up to date
• Minuting of Bureau decisions between Bureau Meetings must be done monthly

First winter Worlds underway

The 4th FAI World Paragliding Accuracy Championship, in Trakai, Lithuania is well underway, and with three rounds flown, can be validated. With 69 pilots, including 9 women, from 14 countries, the competition is the first FAI event to be held in winter, and will mark the first womens’ championship in this discipline. The opening ceremony took place on Friday 9th February, with the charismatic Competition Director and general organiser, Violeta Grigoraitiene in charge. Local dignitaries included the Mayor of Trakai, the Lithuanian Government Minister for Sport and the President of the Lithuanian HG & PG Federation.

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2007 CIVL Plenary - Information on Talloires

For further information on the CIVL 2007 Plenary Meeting at Talloires, near Annecy, France, please go to: http://www.talloires-lac-annecy.com/chapitre1_fr_6.html Detailed information is provided on accommodation options, with online booking and payment facilities, how to get there, and transport arrangements. The registration form allows you to indicate which Subcommittee Meetings you plan to attend and to reserve the lunches organised by the hosts.