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).

Looking ahead to record breaking in South Africa

More evidence that we need a strong El Nino for 500km record breaking weather conditions in South Africa. The attached article clearly shows a correlation between El Nino and less rain and higher average November and December temperatures. ENSO is currently neutral and predictions are that we may have to wait until 2009 for an El Nino to develop.

In the meantime, a massive thank you to Gradient for building a special Bi Golden Tandem with unsheathed lines and a new speed system to join the race for the first paragliding 500km.

I will post photographs later...

Cris Miles flying a Gradient Avax XC2 wins the BPC

Congratulations to Cris Miles for winning the 2008 British Paragliding Cup aboard his Avax XC2. The Cup was plagued by bad weather this year with only 5 valid tasks. Congratulations also to Tony Spirling (3rd Avax XC2), David Thomsom (6th Avax XC2) and to Ruth Churchill Dower (8th Aspen 2 and 2nd best female)


1 MILES, Cris (Gradient Wings / Stay High) Avax Xc 2 1902
2 SANDWITH, Martin (Gin / UKAirsports / Aerofix ) 1720
3 SPIRLING, Tony Avax Xc 2 1658