Bordairline paraglider races: 2011 dates

There will be four races in the Biotech-sponsored Bordairline hike-and-fly races for 2011, in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The first is unusual in that it is a 12-hour race. The  dates for all events are as follows:

14 May – Werfenweng, Austria
17 – 18 June – Klagenfurt, Austria
2 – 3 July – Samerberg, Germany (Crossalps)
3 – 4 September – Interlaken, Switzerland

With the Bordairline races, pilots choose their own route. The idea is to get as far as you possibly can whilst making it back to the start, in 33 hours, with at least 20% of the route having been flown.

There is a bonus of 20% for getting back to the start within the alloted time, and penalties for not flying enough or not making it back.

Each pilot carries a GPS and a tracker, and athletes’ progress can be followed online.

Chrigel Maurer won two of 2010’s three events, but did not take part in the third, giving Martin Steinbichler the overall win with 153.95km flown and 281.08km covered overall. Second was Gerald Gold and third Stefan Wiebel.

Biotech are sponsoring three of the Red Bull X-Alps athletes: Heli Eichholzer (AT), Paul Guschlbauer (AT) and Chrigel Maurer (CH).

www.bordairline.com