The Theatre of Life
There was no task today.
We found this out as we presented ourselves at 9am for the transport to launch. At the team leader’s meeting earlier in the morning a request had been received from several teams to have another day of rest due to Stefan’s accident on Friday and to dedicate this in his memory. In the event the Organisers decided to take us all to launch and to hold a ceremony there followed by a fly back to Valle de Bravo with flowers supplied to everyone so they could drop them over the place where he lost his life.
Most pilots took off clutching the flowers that the organisation had arranged to be delivered to take off and soon the sky was full of gliders making their way over to the infamous ‘Wall’ where the accident occurred. Soon the sky was full of falling flowers as one competitor after another dropped them from cloudbase
Earlier at the ceremony Martin Scheel, the Swiss Team Manager, had said a few words about how sports like paragliding occasionally lead to a tragedy but that they enrich people’s lives, not only the participant’s lives but those of others who are inspired by the ideas they represent. ‘For a certain type of person we must remember that the quality of life is more important than the quantity of life’, he said, ‘and Stefan in particular, and more generally pilots, live their lives in a way that gives much quality but sometimes shortens the quantity. However the decision is one they make by their own choice.’
The meet director, Karel, then said a few words about how in Mexico people consider life to be like a theatre and that each person has a part to play in that theatre. When somebody dies prematurely they have just completed their act earlier than expected and we should applaud their performance rather than stand by silently. So we were all asked to show our appreciation of the act that Stefan played in the Theatre Of Life by applauding him for one minute to celebrate how he lived and inspired those around him in his short time here.
For a full minute the take off rang to the deafening clapping, whistles and cheering of over 200 people as the early morning sun filtered through the trees whispering in the first thermals of the chilly morning air…
Mark H
The ceremony at take off
Swiss team leader Martin Scheel and Meet Director Karel Freudenthal
Flowers ready to be dropped by pilots
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February 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Really touching. Thanks for sharing Mark
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
What a lovely, sensitive, touching piece. If anyone got to the end of that without reaching for the tissues, they’re a stronger person than I am. Well done Mark.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I must say this post brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing with all of us who have been following the competition and the events around the accident.
Chris
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Catching up after a couple of weeks away I’ve just read all your blogs through in one go, chronologically. Top writing Mark, you’re a man of many talents but I didn’t think this level of journalism would be one of them!
Having lost more than a few buddies in military flying accidents I know how you guys out there must be feeling right now. I fully agree, we subscribe to the quality, not quantity, theory of life. For that reason you, the Brit team and your fellow competitors will go forward tomorrow, celebrating life and embracing the remaining tasks.
Very best wishes for personal and Brit team success and, above all, safe flying for all the competitors.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
A great and wonderful tribute to a fine fellow pilot, fine sentiments and thoughts indeed from those who know us and understand why we fly.
Thanks Mark for sharing this most succinctly, and all the best wishes to all for a safe and enjoyable event. These games we play for life.