Alexandre Jofresa wins British Paragliding Open, Slovenia

British Paragliding Open 2010 in Slovenia. Photo: Tim Pentreath. flyaszent.wordpress.com

23-year-old 2007 junior French champion Alexandre Jofresa has won the first round of the British Paragliding Open that was held in Kobarid, Slovenia, from 5 – 12 June. In second place and first Brit was Jamie Messenger, with Craig Morgan in third. Eight of the top ten pilots, including Alexandre, Jamie and Craig, were flying Ozone Mantra R10.2s, two Gin Boomerang 7s making up the rest.

Britain’s Kirsty Cameron was first placed female, flying a pre-production Advance Omega 8, and Russian Marina Olexina (Gin Boomerang 7) second. Gradient’s Avax XC2 had a heavy presence in the Sports class, both winner Toby Colombé and second-placed Robert Smits (NL) flying them (six of the top ten were Avax XC2s). Tim Pentreath was third in the Sports category, flying an Advance Sigma 7.

Compared to other recent European comps, the weather was not too bad. The week of the competition was a bit on the windy side but in the main, flyable, with six tasks held over the seven days. Routes were often kept to the main valley to avoid the potentially dangerous mixture of strong winds and mountains, and were fairly short, ranging from 57 to 73 km.

The second and final round of the British Championships takes place in St André, France from 28 August to 4 September.

www.pgcomps.org.uk