PWC Serbia, Dilip 1st in serial class, 7th overall !!!

[arabind]

http://punekar.in/site/2009/07/28/city-based-paraglider-dilip-kotecha-wins-a-paragliding-event-abroad/

Congrats! Dilip

[Naren]

Brilliant performance,Dileep. Congratulations !!!

[falcondil]

Thanks guys & girls ! :)

I guess, now I can brag about being the First Indian to win an International paragliding competition on foreign soil! 8-)

I guess I was lucky! ;) conditions were really very very weak and it was more of who could survive in the weakest lift and have the most patience! In stronger conditions, i wouldn't stand a chance cause the speed and glide of those latest comp wings is just too good! My poor old wing is no match for them! :(

I really hope to see some more Indian pilots on the podium in the near future!

A short report for those of who might be interested!


On 19th night I drove all night from Macedonia to Nis in Serbia and did not have any sleep. 20th morning was a task but very strong gusty winds and there were not many landing options for the first few kilometres cause of forest and power lines. For safety reasons, like most pilots, I chose to remain in the valley and got only minimum distance points.

On 20th we had a 51.4 km task with very weak conditions and as the inversion was low, could not get much altitude. I knew it was a game of patience and I worked really hard and focused and milked every thermal of every inch of altitude gain. about 25kms were in the valley and then we had to leave the valley and go down wind. By this time most pilots were on the ground. I worked a thermal to get to 1700 mtrs with 2 other pilots and went down wind, slow but using every inch of lift. Only 6 people reached goal and I was the 4th that day. the 2 Boom 6s who climbed with me in that last thermal made 19kms in one single glide from 1900 mtrs to goal at about 600 mtrs!!! I had to work a lot before getting to goal!

On 21st we had again very stable weather which meant weak thermals and v difficult to climb. No one made goal that day and only about 8 pilots made more than 16 kms. After 16kms I was very low and made a big mistake by leaving a weak thermal to get the point which was only 60 metres ahead. But by the time I got back the lift wasn't there and I was on the ground.

On the 22nd was the 4th and last task of about 48 kms. I tripped on take off over a stone and twisted my knee and pulled a ligament in the right thigh. However after 10 mins of excruciating pain, i was better and took off. we were going in a direction where there was a deep and narrow gorge of 600 metres deep. getting low there meant, going down in a place with no landing as it was forest and the E80 highway. Conditions were v stable again with v srong inversion and we could not climb more that 50 metres above the ridge. I did some v dangerous flying v close to the ridge and tree tops to finally cross the 5 km gorge and then more patience found me high at the 1st point which was 22 kms away. the valley had stopped working , so no one could make goal and I was again 4th that day distance wise.

I got the 7th place overall but the 1st place in serial class and felt really good to beat some top pilots on much higher performance wings.

The Key to my success was patience, focus and to thoroughly enjoy the flight ! :)

[arabind]

Dilip, good read.
Congrats, again.
btw when are you switching to Competition Class?

[Nick]

Well done Dilip, that's a great result. You're on a roll.

Looking forward to flying with you in Nov.

Nick

[wizzman]

Hey Dilip,

Congrats...

Thats some achievement bro!
and I always appreciate your effort of sharing your experience for others. Very inspiring :D

Gr8 Job

CheerZ!

[droy]

Congrats again. Which glider did you fly Dilip?

Thanks

[falcondil]

Hi Arabind! Thanks! The comp glider decision, for me, is governed by too many parameters. so cannot really say when it will happen!

hey Nick, thanks! Panchgani is rocking so shd be great in Nov! will look forward to see you!

Wizzman, I am happy to share the experience especially if pilots enjoy it.

Deepak, Thanks!
the results for Serbia is here!

http://www.dinamik.rs/

cheers!

[ParaJay]

This is awesome Dilip! :o It is a tremendous achievement ..... You have made India proud and it is no small matter that you have done this on your own efforts! You achievements and energy are an inspiration to all the paragliding community in India..... looking forward to more of these from you.....

[Mangesh]

Congratulations Dilip. You are an inspiration to all budding young paragliding pilots. We are proud of you.