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Defending world champion, Manfred Ruhmer (AUT), dominates the Class 2 Championship!

The 20th FAI World Hang Gliding Class 2 Championship goes on from 24 July till 6 August 2017 at Aspres-sur-Buëch in the Hautes-Alpes. After four valid tasks, the world-renowned Austrian hang glider pilot Manfred Ruhmer, is dominating the competition. Class 2 world champion since 2002, he is 649 points ahead of his nearest rival, fellow Austrian Franz Pacheiner, and 674 points ahead of local French pilot, Jacques Bott. No task was set yesterday due to the strong south/southwest winds (55 to 55kph at 2000m altitude). Four more competition days are  available for competitors to try to topple the king of this discipline.

Summary of the first week:
The pilots were on site from Monday 24th July, but had to wait until Thursday 27th to fly above the skies of Aspres. A strong mistral wind prevented the ultra light gliders from taking off on the three days of training originally planned from Monday to Wednesday. Only the official training task, last Thursday, could be flown. In good conditions, they flew a 166km course between Aspres, Col St Jean and Tromas. Franz Pacheiner (currently 2nd overall) won this practice task, ahead of Manfred Ruhmer (first overall) and Jacques Bott (3rd overall).
• Friday, the first task launched in good conditions over a 181km course with three turnpoints, similar to, but longer than the day before, taking in Grand Morgon. Ruhmer wins and sets the tone for the competition, beating Swiss pilot Steve Cox and Frenchman Jacques Bott.
• Saturday, the 2nd task provided pilots with a 236km course towards Col du Noyer, Saint-Jurs near the lake Sainte-Croix, crossing to the Col de l'Homme Mort. Once again, Ruhmer competed the task arriving ahead of his rivals, Cox and another Swiss pilot, Ernst Ruppert, well known in the aviation world as the designer of the Archaeopteryx.
• Sunday, a 3rd task of 211km task took pilots from La Longeagne to Querel, Col de Cabre, Tourette, Chabanon and the Col de Pomerol. A picturesque tour of the Hautes-Alpes, which didn’t hinder the pilots from continuing their fight to stay abreast of Manfred Ruhmer, who is ever-present at these major international events.
• Monday 31th July, the fourth task in this Class 2 championship was set and flown despite fairly strong winds from the south/south east, while the Class 5 rigid hang gliders chose to stand by, delaying the start of their “Big Task Open” event until more favourable conditions. Close to 154 km for this task, pilots required some technical flying, which saw Steve Cox and Frenchman Pascal Lanser landing early after the start. Ruhmer once again scored a victory for the task, ahead of Pacheiner and Bott.
• Yesterday, Monday 1st August, the wind was way too strong to set a task in safe conditions. The day, therefore, was cancelled both for the Class 2 ultra light gliders and for the Class 5 hang gliders. Four pilots are flying well this year, fighting for the podium places in this 20th FAI World Hang Gliding Class 2 championship. The second week of the competition will be crucial for each of them. Come and see between today and the climax on Saturday how the race will be fought and won!

On photo: Manfred Ruhmer (AUT)

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On site: during the fortnight, the Chevalet airfield is open to the public and pilots. Don’t hesitate to come and meet the pilots and the organisers, they will be happy to show you their aircraft and explain how they fly.
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ORGANISATION - Association ADPUL - rue du Lac - 05700 SERRES - France - www.ultralight-glider.fr