Kristan Fischer and Dave Wainwright in goal
Australian Dave Wainwright won the first ever Icarus Trophy – a 1,300km paramotor race dreamt up by Adventure specialists the Adventurists, which took place in October 2016 in the USA.
The 1,300 kilometres from Seattle to Valley Springs, California were covered by Dave and fellow Australian Kristan Fischer in a staggeringly fast three days. Kristan actually landed four minutes before Dave, despite the two having chosen different routes, but Kristan was flying in the Adventure class, which is supported; Dave flew unsupported, carrying 65 kilos of kit, to win the Race Class trophy.
And to be clear, the Adventurists say:
Unsupported means you’ll be flying with everything you need to survive strapped to your very person. If you get lost, it’s down to you to get yourself unlost.
Only three pilots elected to do it this way.
Whichever class they chose, pilots had to fly from Seattle to the Black Hawk Paramotor Ranch via a route of their choice. In all 15 pilots made it in, while six retired due to injury or equipment problems.
Among the successful finishers in the Adventure class was Cayle Royce, a 29-year-old British double-amputee. He competed for his love of adventure, and also to raise awareness for UK military charity Help for Heroes, who supported him.
It’s been absolutely epic and the final flight was outstanding as we all flew in together. I couldn’t have asked for a better finish and the sunset was incredible.
The last pilot in, Hans Sprecher, flying in the Adventure category, landed on day 11. The final standings can be seen here, and applications are open already for the October 2016 event.
• Got news?
Send it to us at news@xccontent.local.
Subscribe to the world’s favourite hang gliding and paragliding magazine home
