Honorin Hamard. Photo: Honorin Hamard / Facebook
Task 8 on Friday 19 August 2016 at the European Paragliding Championships in Krushevo was a short, tight 71km race to goal.
Joachim Oberhauser (IT) won the day, crossing the line first only seconds ahead of Xevi Bonet (ES) and Julien Wirtz (FR) who were tied for second place. Only nine points separated the top 10.
In the Women’s class, Seiko Fukuoka Naville (FR) won the day, ahead of Klaudia Bulgakow (PL).
Crucially, on a day when more than 100 pilots made goal, overall race leader Honorin Hamard missed goal by 1.4km. He placed 118th and scored only 466 on a day worth 994 points.
However, his ‘bomb’ appears to have been tactical. With a secure lead he was flying ‘for the team’, helping other French pilots do well.
All he has to do is get round in the final task and he is secure in his win. However, this is paragliding and still many things could happen.
Seiko is also favourite to win the title of Women’s World Champion. She is 110 points ahead of Laurie Genovese (FR) and 278 ahead of third placed Petra Slivova (CZ).
Honorin and Seiko are both current Paragliding World Champions. Tomorrow is a crucial final day that could see them both wearing the double-crown of World and European Champions.
In the teams, it is France, Germany, Italy in 1,2,3.
Weather permitting, follow the final task action live online at www.airtribune.com/europg2016 – France looks set to sweep the board at the Euros…
