Sofia. The military servicemen, from the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, returned to Bulgaria, Focus News Agency reported. Bulgarian Minister of Defence Gen Anyu Angelov and Chief of Defence Gen Simeon Simeonov welcomed the soldiers at the Sofia Airport.
Do extreme skiers observe warnings about the danger of avalanches? Do they realize the risk when skiing outside the marked zones? Is the establishment of controlled free ride zones a resolution? Member of the Bulgarian Extreme and Freestyle Ski Association (BEFSA) Danail Angelov answers those and other issues in an interview to FOCUS News Agency.
Focus: Mrs Angelov, in the view to the last tragic incidents in the mountains can people be ordered to go skiing in the marked tracks only? Danail Angelov: This cannot happen. The history and the attempt of the people in the world, who surpass us, prove it. A rescuer, a friend of ours, said the English queen have forbidden her people to do alpinism because lots of them have died. However, the first people to climb Everest were English. This cannot be forbidden. The idea is the reason for that is not searched. Noting can be reached by imposing bans.
Focus: How the analysis of the tragic incidents can help? Danail Angelov: A common discussion between the parks, resorts (concessioners), the Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) and the people like us, who are practicing extreme skiing or snowboard outside the marked zones, should be held. Big part of us has enough knowledge about the avalanches, rescuing, where and when to go skiing. The incident in Bansko winter resort was with a rescuer. The matter is point is he, knowing about the danger, has hot allowed the other four people to go skiing outside the marked zone and they are alive. A common discussion is needed, as well as putting marks, signs at the right place. The signs “Attention! Avalanche danger!” do not work down but up in the mountain.
Focus: Do extreme skiers observe warnings of the Mountain Rescue Service for danger of avalanches? Danail Angelov: Of course. I cannot speak at the behalf of everyone but at the behalf of people who are doing extreme skiing. They certainly have the knowledge and know when and where no go out of the marked tracks. I have gone skiing outside Bulgaria several times. Free ride zones have been established everywhere. People are observing the danger. For example, no one goes skiing at Vitosha Mountain. People who do not have enough knowledge should not be allowed skiing at the free ride zones.
Focus: Your colleagues have made statements, the warnings of the Mountain Rescue Service for highest danger of avalanches are made every day during the whole season. Do people realize the problem? The Mountain Rescue Service noted the people who are doing extreme sports are risking the lives of the rescuers. Danail Angelov: I have read that statement. We cannot be an excerpt for all people. We are co-operating successfully with the Mountain Rescue Service. We are making lectures on danger of avalanches together. The thing is not to forbid but to teach people about the real danger. Young people are the one who do not observe the recommendations of the Mountain Rescue Service. But what is said for us-we are doped or we play Russian roulette are sheer nonsenses.
