Mark Hayman reflects on his experiences at the 2011 British Championships in Slovenia

The British Paragliding open in Slovenia is over, with Mark Watts winning on an Ozone Mantra R11.

Bad weather is forecast till the end of the competition so Mark flies home. An event on the plane leaves him astounded as to one individual’s perception of risk and priorities in a crisis.

The fourth task was cancelled before it even began, due to threatening conditions and a bad forecast. The weather then improved as soon as everyone stood down. Safety committee member Mark explains how these difficult decisions are made.

Craig lead the pack from the start, but raced himself to the ground halfway round. Mark Watts won the day.

Despite some worrying incidents elsewhere in the comp and his ongoing concerns with comp wings, Mark has a great day on his serial class wing, and more positives than negatives.

Craig refrains from kicking his helmet round his imposed landing spot somewhere other than the 98km goal field, and consoles himself with a pint.

Task two, and Mark is getting into the ‘flying for fun’ thing, and has decided that smiles beat trophies, any day.

Good weather on Sunday sees the first task of the British Paragliding Open in Slovenia. Neil Roberts wins.

Mark flies his serial class paraglider for the first time in the first task, and finds it very different to the hotships he’s used to.

Friday night brought a cold front to the Soča valley, and a no-flying day on the Saturday

It’s raining and, with six Brits holed up in a small house in Slovenia, this can only mean one thing – banter

Mark Hayman and Craig Morgan report from the 2011 British Paragliding Championships in Slovenia