The X-Alps style paragliding and walking adventure race across France’s Drome department got under way this morning. Conditions today were said to be windy so competitors were making their way by foot to high ground hoping that it would be possible to fly as conditions eased in the early evening. Tomorrow’s forecast brings a possibility of rain, so it looks like there will be a lot of walking on the way to the first goal in Luc en Diois. You can follow the competitors, who are all carrying SPOT devices, online on Google Maps or in Google Earth.

More information on the event can be found at www.transdromoise.fr (french)

The weekend of 4 – 7 June, the fields on the shores of the Lake District’s Buttermere lake will be thronging with pilots and their families, there to enjoy what organisers describe as ‘THE UK’s free flying event of the Summer – the Lakes Charity Classic 2009′. (more…)