6th British Winter Open

Roldanillo, Colombia 2025

By Richard Meek

The second event in Colombia 2025 competition season was the 6th British Winter Open. The event, established in 2019, allowing British pilots to gain currency during the depths of the northern hemisphere winter, WPRS ranking points and PWC qualification letters. A strong field of 130 pilots registered for the event, generating a WPRS forecast of 91.6 points, which puts it on par with many PWCs. With the previous event having enjoyed 7 tasks in great conditions, expectations were high for more of the same.

The event kicked off Sunday 19th January with another cracking sky and an 88.1km task was set. Leg one headed north east towards La Victoria, leg two SSW to Bugalagrande then u-turn back to goal at La Victoria 26k away. 

Fast and furious from the outset, the lead chopped and changed hands multiple times. Roger Aeschbacher (CHE) took the majority (161.1 of 162) lead out points and first to cross the finishing line in 1:56:29, averaging 39kmh and scoring 999.1pts. 

Craig Morgan (GBR), former double British Champion, showing a remarkable return to form was the first Brit in 10th overall, crossing the line 1:57:53 for 978.7 with Josh Sanderson 18th on 967.5 points. Katalin Juhasz (HUN) was the first woman with Ali Matthews, the first British woman, and 4th overall.

Day 2, task 2: 92.9km, a complicated east-west zig zag across the valley working from north to south before returning to goal at La Victoria. Conditions slower than day 1 with Luis Martinez Iturbe (Spanish national resident in England) averaging 31.6 kmh in 2:35:07 walking away the full 1000 points. 

Craig showed day one was not just a flash in the pan and came home in 5th followed by Martin Long and Josh in 6th and 7th. Magdalena (Mags) Janaway was 1st overall & British female with 967.7 points.

The kilometres notched up again on day 3 with a 101.0 km task taking the field north to La Union, south towards Tulua with a goal at Bugalagrande. Roger Aeschbacher once again took the win in 2:17:21 at 38.78kmh. Martin was first Brit in 10th place, with 958.5 with Craig hot on his heels in 13th 957.0. Mags 1st female with 911.5.

Wednesday 22nd January the task committee kept the pressure on with a 95.8km task running along the mountains south before a 38km leg north to goal at the Obando airstrip – the closely cropped grass a welcome sight after the semi-building site of the Bugalagrande goal field.

Irish hotshot Bogdan Bialka took the win in 2:34:40 with Martin first Brit in 21st for 954.8 points and Craig 38th for 937.0 pts. Craig maintained his lead in the British overall rankings with 2919 followed by Martin on 2902, Josh on 2900 and young hotshot Jacob Aubrey nipping at the heels on 2852.

Thursday the 23rd was a long one ! 123.6km to Piedechinche. Mixed conditions with shade3 over the mountains east of Buga slowing things down, but then some ferocious climbs when the sun shone through. Bogdan took the win again, averaging 33:47 kmh in 3:28:56. Craig was back to the top of the British stack, scoring 980.1.

Friday, Day 6, Task 6. It’s relentless, but fortunately, the task committee took pity on the field and set a modest 81.4km over four legs to goal at Obando. Super tricky day with over 50% conducted under complete shade – it’s truly amazing to see the gaggle at work making the most of the meagre lift. Those weak conditions meant the winner, Peter Vyparina (SVK), averaged 25.82 kmh scooping 994.8 points. Martin was 4th overall, scoring 987.7, Craig had a bad day bombing at 55km but FTV allowed him to remain #1 in the Brits with Jacob in second and Josh in third as they headed in to the final day.

Last day, Saturday 25th January, a surprisingly long task of 93.6km goal was set with goal at Obanbdo. The Irish supremo Bogdan took the win in 31kmh with Josh in 9th scoring 967.9 which with a couple of places back in 25th. This was sufficient for Craig to retain the number one spot with Josh in second and Jacob in third. Awesome result with two young pilots chasing the hand. Mags took the win in the British female category ahead of Ali Matthews and Agnieszka Zaborowska. Top three overall; Bogdan Bialka (IRL), Robert Berg (POL) and Andrei Gaia (ROU).

The final day was marred by the death of Swiss national Franz Schilter, a long time competitor and friend to many throughout our community.  

The post 6th British Winter Open first appeared on British Paragliding Competitions.