A performance
Airlinks Academy’s instructor, Charles Cazaux is looking back to his last performance during the PWCA Superfinal in Roldanillo (Colombia).
« I flew only 1 minute and half with my brand new Enzo 3 since september in my favorite flying home site before leaving to Roldanillo. I added 5 hours more in the typical Valle del Cauca thermal conditions to be fit enough! I came with a big motivation and a full capacity to be able to keep concentrate the all comp.
Turning left, right, handling my wing in the thermal, choose the right place to glide at the best speed. It sounds pretty easy to fly competition. As soon as you add 120 pilot around it makes the show more spicy. Especially when you have to deal with your mental skills… Following the best pilot even low or be clever to take your own decision. This makes the game quite complex to face yourself and the pack of pilot.
Mental, technique, physical.
Since the last 2017 World Cup in Swiss this summer, I started to work with Thomas Theurillat (ONE DAY Coaching) well known as Chrigel Maurer’s supporter and mental coach. Goal, dream, desire, reality… We worked together to set the right goals: the first step and a main one to start our plan. The french open in Laragne few weeks later was a good opportunity to test it, and regardings the result it looks the right direction to go! Then this year in Colombia, Superfinal was probably one of my best comp ever according to my flying style, my decision and finally result comes as well.
Building confidence during the automn helps me to come focus and relax. High ranking in competition during the year, years of experience, SIV training to understand better my skills, my wing and improve my reaction. It was usefull in 120 pilot gaggle with some moments when we are very close each other.
I worked with a physical coach to be fit for a long paragliding competition and keep energy for the all race to take the best decision or at least make a minimum of mistake. I feel the 5 first task quite easy then came sickness due to cold and fiever… Hopefully I still have enough energy to fly safe. Each time it became hard, I just have to remember hard time running in the snow, pulling weight in my cold garage.
Energy level.
I realised something I already observed in the past: I am flying better when I am tired! 5 tasks sick, 5 tasks to fight to wake up and stand up, 5 tasks to finish the day completely tired… But finally 5 tasks with my optimum energy level. It seems I have to much energy when I am fit!
A bit tired, I feel out of the competition scene, my handling is more smooth, I am focus only on the important thing and I am pretty relax to deal with the race. So now I have to work to find again this proper mind setting for the next comp as it looks efficient.
Girls were at the front all the comp and showed that with a good wing they can fight with the best pilot! Motivation, discipline, focus, respect of their strategy. All the work they did during the past years with less performance glider is helping now. Boys, girls, there are only light or heavy pilot now! Girls show they are strong pilot too!
Last task? What happened? Few word?
One thermal from goal, my group is gliding to goal… We need to climb more…
Shaddow on my right, sun on the left. I decide to take the upwind outside of the group. May be a bit to much on the left when the furthest on the right got the lift. We all moved to him but I arrived the last and lowest… No climb…
Zarzal is facing to me and I have to land… Watching the other climbing and gliding to goal… It is finished…
I will remember a great comp sharing nice vibe with the pilot on the ground, great adventure, nice view and scenario during all our stay there. »
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