Stéphane Malbos<<stephane.malbos>>
writes:

This July 3rd, Masakazu Kobayashi, a 44 years old Japanese pilot,
passed away after hitting a cliff in the Lake Annecy area at Lachat de Thônes.
The organisers express their sorrow to Masakazu’s family and friends, and to the
Japanese pilots. A police investigation is being held and will find out the
causes of the accident.

Yesterday, the flying conditions were mild and there was only a few gliders in
the area. Some pilots saw Masakazu’s glider turn sharply toward the cliff for an
unknown reason. The glider then spiralled down to the forest. Emergency aid was
requested immediately and an equipped helicopter took off immediately.

Pilots and organisers alike are overwhelmed by sadness and grief. They gathered
this morning of July 4th at the competition headquarter to evoke the memory of
Masakazu Kobayashi. The Japanese team leader expressed his sadness and described
Masaku as a family man, father of two girls, passionate about flying. He whished
that, to honour Masakazu, pilots would fly today. Unfortunately, due to bad
conditions, this was not possible. The Japanese team will attend the closing
ceremony of the competition on July 5th.

The organisers are answering as far as they can to the needs and wishes of
Masakazu’s family and team. Masakazu’s unfortunate accident concludes a
competition otherwise seen by pilots and team leaders as safe and well organised.