14/08/2026
🇨🇭 A tough day for the Swiss team at the European Championships
Task 4 in North Macedonia promised a fast race – and that is exactly what the pilots got. The 68.5 km course was won by Slovenia’s Tilen Ceglar in just 1:32:21. 🔥
With few tactical options available, a good position at the start was crucial. Five of the six Swiss pilots managed to join the main gaggle, while Stephan Morgenthaler started around 300 metres lower.
Sarah Zimmermann faced an additional challenge even before the race began: after noticing a technical problem shortly after take-off, she had to land and launch again. Despite being the very last pilot to take off, she fought her way back and was well positioned when the race started.
At this pace, even a small mistake or one extra turn in a thermal was enough to lose contact with the group. Roger Aeschbacher and Noé Court managed to stay with the leading gaggle, while the rest of the Swiss team fought further behind.
Roger eventually finished 8th, with Noé 41st. Stephan came in 65th, followed by Tim 76th, Sarah 77th overall and Jérôme 82nd. Sarah's result also gave her 4th place in the women's ranking. 🇨🇭
All six Swiss pilots reached goal, but with only the two best results of Roger, Stephan, Tim and Sarah counting towards the nations ranking, the day cost Switzerland valuable ground.
Roger also dropped from 2nd to 5th overall in the individual championship.
Five tasks remain. There is still time to fight back. 💪🇨🇭