http://hg.sffa.org/aeros_wr/

Thomas Weissenberger <<tomtom>>
writes:

Today the Aeros Winter Race should have started like confirmed by
the Slovenian organization. Also good weather forecasts are predicted for all
four flying days this week. 55 pilots have registered and pre-paid 30 € since
November, booked their holidays and made room reservations. On the 6th of march
the comp dates were confirmed for this week: 'We will start with the competition
on the first set of dates, the registration will start on Tuesday, march 11!'
Then 6 hours later the information was that the comp is postponed to one week
later. Official statement: 'Aeros asked to move the competition start on the
SECOND set of dates, so the registration will start on Tuesday, march 18! The
main reason is pre-worlds in Mexico and lack of time for some pilots who fly
there, to come to Slovenia in really short time between the comps.'

As the technical delegate of the Austrian Hang Gliding League and international
comp pilot this procedure is ridiculous and simply unacceptable! It is showing
how unprofessional Aeros and the organization are taking this sport, even asking
for money in advance!

A) The dates of the pre-worlds were well known long before.

B) There are just three pilots registered out of 55 who were in Valle: Gerd,
Achim and Sasha.

C) The decision favors now three pilots to a kinda privileged status to postpone
a whole comp which dates were known far before!

D) The so called lack of time is just a logistic issue and even manageable, like
Sasha would have been ready to be there today. Even these two German pilots left
Mexico one day earlier than her. It is just a matter of doing the planning right
and in time. Like Aeros should do!

E) The weather this week looks great, so this decision is totally incorrect
sportive wise!

F) It is likely impossible and unfair to make people change their holidays +
room reservations in that short time of just five days, even seeing good weather
on the screens. How should they justify it?

G) Now other pilots can take their places from pilots who already pre paid! This
is the so called sportsmanlike treatment of Aeros!

H) Pilot's statements:

- 'pre-worlds date has been known for a long time..'

- 'how many pilots do you expect coming from pre-worlds? 2?'

- 'Your decision is totally disrespectful. First of all: Mexico PreWorlds date
was organized prior Aeros Winter Race date. I expect that reservation dates
ought to be chose in case of force majeure. Secondly you are not sure about the
weather on second date. We paid reservation cost. Many participants already
booked their vacation, and some pilots should not be better than others who want
to participate in this race. Everybody can choose their priorities. My proposal
for you, think twice about this decision. If race will be moved to another week,
due to facts ( that are not force majeure) I will ask my reservation back....'

- 'Uf, thanks to Aeros from pilot, who will take my place. Anyway in this sport
I’m “nobody”, but there is a question bothering me, how can organizer realize
the change in last 2 hours for the race in Mexico planned so long ago, also I
don’t remember any more when I did my application for this AWR? Since Aeros team
decided this and explained the reason, could you please share to me “nobody
audience” the list of the pilots arriving from Mexico so I can emphasize my
complex... Only hope for me is if anybody can join me next week in Vipava valey
for some flying company and my entrance fee will be spend for a beer to anyone.'

- 'you loose more pilots than you win. And you risk the whole comp weather
wise!? Pretty high gambling here...'

- 'Can't understand the decision.... I am off for the second date.'

Well, pilot's reaction tells it all. Now I just can recommend not to attend this
comp next week to condemn this suspect behavior by teaching them a lesson they
don't forget. Pilots should also claim back their pre paid money, this
organization is not worth one single cent! Also the high pressure is fading and
the upcoming rainy weather next week does not look promising at all. Well, this
is actually just a light version of my wishful thinking for hail, pouring rain
and Bora on this organization down till Ukraine!