Rovinj: Training Reactions

11/04/14

We bring you a quick summary from each pilot after the training flights today in Rovinj:

1. Matthias Dolderer (GER)

"All pilots in the race are very strong this year and all the engines are the same now so it's getting harder all the time to get on the podium. You can't afford to make any mistakes at all."

2. Martin Sonka (CZE)

"There's a higher probability of hitting a pylon on the first run when you fly through the gates. In my mind there's no reason to fly through the pylons on the first training run. That's the way I practice. When I fly above the pylons I'm trying to find the best lines. For me it's better to fly above the track the first time and get the track into my brain.

"I've got a great aeroplane now. It would be a pity to be at the back of the pack again with a plane like this. All the pilots here are great so someone has to be last. But not me. It was nice to jump up to seventh in Abu Dhabi. Now I want to jump higher and get on the podium."

3. Matt Hall (AUS)

"We're happy with the way things are going. All the indications are that the plane is very fast, I'm very healthy and ready to go. I think I can fly a pretty fast time in the race and just see what the other guys can do. The goal should always be to win the race. This is a nice environment for me. As long as the wind stays down I should be fine. Everything's looking good. It suits my plane reasonably well. It's good at turning and it's fast."

4. Hannes Arch (AUT)

"I had to fly back to refuel because I had to wait so long and that messed up my rhythm. It's tough to get ready for a race like this and this was really getting on my nerves today. At least the second training run was alright."

5. Paul Bonhomme (GBR)

"The track is challenging, it's good fun. It's interesting. I quite like this track – it's got a nice flow on the backside of it. I quite enjoy it."

6. Peter Besenyei (HUN)

"This course is quite different to Abu Dhabi, it's quite challenging. The gates are quite tight – they come very quickly and you have to find a very good line to make it."

7. Yoshi Muroya (JPN)

"Every course is different and some of the gates here are very tight. It's challenging to get through them cleanly, which will make for an exciting race on Sunday."

8. Pete McLeod (CAN)

"The track is really challenging here and everyone is having some trouble with the track. Like with the race in Abu Dhabi, I think flying clean is going to be the key to doing well here. I'm happy if I'm moving forward. I don't necessarily need to be on top of the podium for my own personal satisfaction. I want to see growth and the higher you get up the ladder, the harder it is to keep moving forward. That's the big challenge for me."

9. Nigel Lamb (GBR)

"On this track, every single flight is a big learning curve. It's really challenging just before the vertical turn manoeuvre, and it's going to be even more challenging if the wind picks up from the west."

10. Kirby Chambliss (USA)

"Be sure to keep an eye on Gates Four, Five and Six, because they're extremely tight. In my opinion, that section of the course will determine the whole race."

11. Mike Goulian (USA)

"The engine is running really nicely. Today's a new day, this is a new race, and you just have to hope for the best – and do your best. I'm glad Abu Dhabi is behind me, and we're off and running!"

12. Nicolas Ivanoff

"I hope on Sunday to fly better than in Abu Dhabi. I made a lot of mistakes in the racetrack there and I hope I can rectify this here. It's the first time I have flown in Croatia but the climate is similar to Corsica, where I'm from. It's the Mediterranean and the environment and terrain is familiar. My ideal result would be to finish in the top four. "