La Nina forecast to be strongest since 1955/56

UK Paragliding XC League 2010

Congratulations to all participants in this years Paragliding National XC League for making it another record year. Again, in terms of total KM flown, the top three pilots would have won any previous year.

The League was won by Richard Westgate (Gradient XC3) with 837.5km, the highest total KM ever accumulated (an average of almost 140km per flight!). This is Richard's third XC League win and his second in 3 years. The end of the season battle is summarised here.

Mark Jones on his Avax XC2 was 10th with 623.0km (and 2nd in the Serial Class) and in the top 50, 16th Philip Wallbank (3rd Serial Class) 552.1km, 24th Jon Collie 474.7km, 26th Julian Robinson 465.9km, 27th Ian Miskin 464.0km, 28th Burkitt Rudd 458.1km, 29th Graham Richards 449.4km, 30th David Thomson 432.0km, 41st Martin Nichols 344.7km, 48th Gary Puhl 324.8km.

Gradient did well at Club level again with the following podium places:


Avon League: Graham Richards, Aspen 3, 1st; Martin Nichols, Aspen 3, 2nd
Condors League: Simon Fouracre, Aspen 3, 3rd
Cumbrian League: Burkitt Rudd Avax 1st
Dover League: Tim Pike, Avax XC2, 2nd
Gap League: Mark Jones, Avax XC2, 2nd
Joint Services League: Alistair Andrews, Aspen 3, 2nd
Thames Valley League: Mark Jones, Avax XC2, 3rd
SHPF League: Julian Robinson, Avax XC2, 1st; Ian Miskin, Avax Xc2, 2nd; David Thompson, Avax XC2, 3rd
SMPC League: Ian Miskin, Avax XC2, 1st
Wessex League: Shamus Pitts, Golden 2, 1st;Martin Foley, Aspen 3, 3rd

Gradient Avax XC3 tested in latest Parapente Magazine

Philippe Lami has just tested the Gradient Avax XC3 (24) for Parapente Magazine (no.132, 6th October 2010)

The glide was measured at 10.3 (at 39kph), top speed at 59kph, min sink below 0.99mps and a fast trim speed at 40kph.

This confirms the fantastic performance that I have experienced, having flown this wing for the second half of the season.

Jochen Schweizer on a Gradient Tandem

The end of a dream - for now

My brothers Guy's amazing Swift Display Team had a spectacular incident last month at the Shoreham Airshow. Luckily, pilot Mike Newman, will make a full recovery.

Walter Neser in action, from Extreme Wildlife, BBC Wildlife Films

Flying with the Vultures at Thabazimbi, South Africa. To wet your appetite this winter!

The Distance Record Season is almost upon us

GRADIENT XC AFRICA OPEN 2010
De Aar, South Africa, 27^th November - 4^th December 2010
Entry Fee: R1000.00 per entry & includes:
A winch release, T/shirt, scoring or wireless internet for uploads (avoid cues),
winching facilities, Prize giving function, medals for each class, briefings, weather reports,
Cell phone tracking & local maps. Excludes recovery!