After filming for a week, the world’s best extreme sports athletes and exceptional production teams turned in their five minute films for judging on 21 January. According to Tristan Carné (director and jury president), the jury deliberation was an enriching experience with a true debate. There were questions posed about the scenarios, the importance of the athletic performance, the film trailer style chosen by some teams versus a true short film… After viewing the films several times, the decision was finally made:

The GoldenPeak award went to Team Argon; the jury’s Special Award to Team Golgoht and the Best Sports Sequence award to Ride the Planets.

Watch some clips and see some fantastic photos on the event’s website, http://winter.outdoorgames.org

A note from Mads Syndergaard: www.nordic-open.eu is now accepting registration fee payments using major international credit cards.

Mads says, “I’m hoping pilots will appreciate the increased comfort of this compared to bank transfers, and it turns out much cheaper for all parties too!”

Best photographer of the 2009 Nissan Outdoor Games was awarded to Christoffer Sjöström of team Ride the Planets. The winning photo of snowboarder Geraldine Fasnacht (CH) won almost unanimously. The jury loved the way the snow and clouds blended together to accentuate the force of the action.

http://winter.outdoorgames.org

UP Kantega XC intermediate paraglider

UP’s long-awaited Kantega XC is almost ready for distribution: expected to attain LTF 1-2 / EN B in all sizes, delivery from stock will begin in April.

The Kantega XC was designed for intermediate pilots with a yearning for thermals and XC adventures. UP says that “Its forgiving nature coupled with very efficient thermalling characteristics, and its awe- inspiring glide at all speeds right up to the impressive 53km/h top speed, make it the perfect companion for everything from local flights up to long XC flights”.  The good glide on bar means it should perform well on into-wind or cross wind glides.

www.up-paragliders.com

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Mac Para has two new gliders for the 2009 season.
The Progress is their new school glider. Designed in consultation with paragliding schools, its emphasis is on safety, user-friendliness and durability. Its large cell openings mean it has little tendency to pitch forwards and long brake travel means that even the least sensitive beginner will be hard pushed to accidentally stall it.

The Eden 4 (EN B certification pending) replaces the acclaimed Eden 3. It has been credited with a better glide (even in accelerated flight) and more direct handling than its predecessor but it retains the light brake pressure, excellent launch characteristics and stability. Swivel brake handle and magnetic clips are standard.

www.macpara.com

Extremechalets.com are running what they believe to be the first ever parahiking course, in the Chamonix area of the French Alps this summer (May / June). Lightweight kit (around 6kg) is provided, and the 7 days paragliding (5 days tuition) comes in a package with chalet B&B accommodation.

The 2008 Madeira Open International online paragliding competition finished on 31 December, and was won by Hartmut Peters (DE, U-Turn Obsession), with Pal Takats (HU, U-Turn Apex XP) in second. 

It is already underway for 2009, and there are some great monthly prizes as well as for the end of year overall winners. Pilots should register with the Aeroclube de Madeira then log details of up to six XC flights (from Madeira or Portro Santo islands) onto the server at www.paraglidingforum.com. A map of the 18 sites on the island can be seen at www.paraglidingearth.com

www.madeira-paragliding.com

Austrian Michi Friesenbichler and Australia’s Curt Warren are teaming up for a “Flug Rally”, in which they will guide hang glider pilots in the Austrian Alps from 5 – 9 August 2009. The area offers epic flying conditions and this is peak season. Walter Geppert’s current world record for longest triangle flight of 407km was set from the Greifenburg launch, so this has been chosen as the starting point for the five day rally.

www.warrenwindsports.com.au

Advance test pilot Kari Eisenhut’s company, Chill Out paragliding, is relaunching the new chill out base and Advance test centre in Interlaken’s main landing field, Switzerland. It will provide a bistro, shop, weather and site information and accommodation. A grand opening on 11 – 12 April will give pilots a chance to meet Advance’s test pilots and will include presentations by Advance designer, Thomas Ripplinger, and meteorologist Micha Schulze.

The program of Chill Out camps for 2009 includes three 5 day courses in English, tailored to the needs of the international flyer: a Sigma 7 camp (for current or prospective owners) 19 – 22 April, an advanced XC camp 17 – 22 August, and basic XC, 7 – 12 September.

www.chilloutparagliding.com

The World Cup Association has confirmed its approval for Porterville as the venue for the first leg of the 2010 PWC.

This event will take place from 13 – 19 December 2009. Selection and registration will be directly through PWCA. Organisers plan to precede this with a five day All-Africa Open (6 – 10 December) to allow
some ‘practice days’ for PWC newcomers. PWC numbers will be restricted to 100 entrants and the AAO 130 (dependant upon the organisers finding funding to enlarge the launch). There are also discussions about holding a hang gliding comp during one of the events.

www.porterville.co.za