Longest flight of the 2008/2009 season so far

Martin Gorayski flies 371.9 km from Quixada and leads the FAI World XC Online Contest and the World XContest

Gradient Aspen 3 Proto goes well in South Africa

Congratulations to Ondrej Dupal (Gradient Director) who put the Gradient Aspen 3 proto through its paces winning 2 tasks at the De Aar Pre-Xc Open. The glider should be ready by March 2009.

The competition was won by Nevil Hulett (Mac Para Magus 6) with Adam Dolezal 3rd (Gradient Avax XC2 - 2nd Serial), Jon Pio 4th (Gradient Aspen 2 - 1st Sports), Ondrej Dupal 5th (Gradient Aspen 3), Damian Sykes 6th (Gradient Aspen 2 - 2nd Sports) and ... Des Pansi 8th (1st Female).

The competition was marred by the death of competitor Wojciech Siudek from Poland. It looks like he died from Impact Trauma after hitting or turning low to avoid power lines 160km down route. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.

New South African Ladies Open Distance Record

Congratulations to Des Pansi who has just set a new South African Ladies Distance Record at the pre XC Open at De Aar. Ondrej Dupal won the first day with a flight via 3 turnpoints of 247.6km on a prototype Aspen 3, Adam Dolezal was 2nd with 238.7km (Gradient Avax XC2) and Des was 3rd with 210.1km also on an XC2. Clean sweep for Gradient! The weather forecast is looking great for the next few days. Have a look at that cloud base to the north!

Fly Pics

I have just set up a Picasa Account and will be adding web albums in due course.

Link to South African flights

Here

Very Cool Speed Flying Video - Dave Edwards in New Zealand

Big Distances in Brazil

Pilots at the XC International Meeting have been logging some impressive flights. On 2/11, Spanish pilot Lary Pino flew 298.8km in 8 hrs 24 mins and on 7/11 Swiss pilot Simon Brulisauer flew 282.85km on a Gradient XC in 8 hours both from Quixada. Simon is currently leading the 2009 World XC Contest . Also check out Leonardo.

The 500km chase continues

Pilots all over the world are on the hunt for the first 500km flight on a Paraglider. In Brazil, the amazingly successful Sol Northeast Expedition which broke the World Open Distance Record last year with 461.2km has started. Also in Brazil, the XCeara Free Fly XC International Meet runs from 1st -21st November, and the XCeara 2008 Cross Country Classic from the 22nd-30th. In South Africa, Des and Arnold are hosting the Pre-XC Open event in De Aar from 15th Nov -22nd Nov. FlyGirl has a list of registered pilots and their gliders. The most favoured wings.... Gradient of course! Two Slovenians ?! are teaming up with South African Gradient importer, James Braid, for another record attempt from 28th Nov to 16th Dec.


The ENSO cycle is still neutral and is forecast to stay that way into early 2009 so watch this space!

Gradient Avax XC 2 wins the British Paragliding XC League

Richard Westgate (Me!) wins the British Paragliding XC League flying an Avax XC2 24.

Despite one of the worst summers on record, I managed 4 flights over 100km in June and July which was enough to win the 2008 XC League. (606.7km from 6 flights).

Congratulations also to Burkitt Rudd (Avax SR7) in 4th (445.4km) and Tim Guilford (Bi Golden!) in 5th (437.6km).