DAY 6

Another small front delayed the start of the day, but by 1:00 pilots were loading their gliders onto burros for the hike up to San Juan launch, just outside of San Juan. Burros and ponies carried the gliders, and pilots made the 30 minute hike to the southeast face above the valley. The wind was strong when the group arrived and low clouds and mist kept the tropical heat at bay, but soon the overcast layer broke up and the sun began heating the valley again. By 3:00 it was apparent that the weather wasn`t suitable for a valid task, but some pilots enjoyed ridge and thermal lift before the valley wind became too strong.

Pilots arrived back in San Juan with just enough time to rinse off the dust and get ready for the Fiesta Dominicana (Dominican Party) at the Hotel, where there was much Salsa dancing and Rum consumption.

DAY 7

The Final Day of the Ozone Caribbean XC Challenge was spent swimming at lakes and relaxing in town after a front moved in and covered the San Juan Valley with a layer of overcast. 4 days of valid tasks saw the Slovenian brothers Aljaz and Urban Valic in first and 2nd place, and Giuseppe Sigismondi in third overall. However, the field was divided into DHV categories, so pilots were competing with others who were flying wings in their DHV class, and prizes were awarded appropriately. A truckload (literally) of prizes were passed out, and everyone at the awards ceremony won something!

Congratulations to Benoit Pichot of Chamonix, France, who won the glider raffle and plans to order an Addict XS!

At the awards ceremony Jocky claimed that this was the best Competition he had ever attended, and most of the pilots present were in agreement. Four days of great competition flying, an excellent organizational staff, and most of all a friendly and relaxed group of competition pilots made the Ozone Caribbean XC Challenge a wild success. Ozone would like to thank all of the pilots who made the journey to the DR to fly the Caribbean with us! Also, Ozone sends a huge thanks to Julian Molina of Caribbean Free Flying, and to Jocky Sanderson for a week of endless support in the air and on the ground.

For full competition results, go to www.CaribbeanXC.com