Heavy clouds and overcast conditions proved a deterrent as the 130 pilots at the AAI Paragliding World Cup sought to display their skills in the shortened fourth task here on Friday.
After a late start to the 93.8 km route for the day, the task committee stopped the task at 34.87 km citing dangerous conditions.
France’s Julien Brung, who was leading at the time, was declared the winner of the fourth task.
Overall leader Xevi Bobet Dalmau of Spain, however, maintained his hold on the top with a whopping 2,499 points. He was 10th on the day. Germany’s Michael Kuffer stayed second overall with 2,464 points despite a 16th-placed finish on Friday. Julian Wirtz of France, winner of Task Three, was third and has accumulated 2,448 points.
On the day, Matt Senior made use of his experience at the pre-World Cup event here in 2013 to collect 203 points. He finished second in the fourth task and was followed by Maxime Pinot of France, who pocketed 193. The home pilots too had a decent outing. Ajay Kumar continued his good show and finished 16th (184 points) despite pain in the neck. Gurpreet Dhindsa was 35th with 175 points, while local boy Arvind Paul was placed 65th.
In the women’s section, Poland’s Klaudia Bulgakow showed why she is the best in the business taking the top spot on the day with 173 points. Czech Republic’s Petra Slivova and Annalena Hinestroza of Germany were second and third with 157 and 154 points, respectively.
