Hans Bausenwein is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Paraglider Manufacturers Association (PMA). He has been involved in the sports of hang gliding and paragliding for a long time, and is well known by many pilots for his business activities as well as his sporting achievements. (more…)
The International Delta Swiss Championship was held in Stans near Lucerne (Central Switzerland) last weekend (May 8 - 12).
With a mind to using the event as a warm-up to the 2008 European Championship (which will be held in Greifenburg, Austria, in early June) the organisation went for quick, entertaining, and challenging tasks, with a special focus on the long, final glide. One task was cancelled due to rain.
The overall winnner in the Flexwing category was Primoz Crigar (SL, Aeros Combat), followed by Christian Ciech (IT, Icaro Laminar) and Alex Pioner (IT, Icaro Laminar). Martin Haerri was the first Swiss pilot in this class.
In the Rigid class, the overall results were 1: Jacques Bott (FR, Atos VR), 2: Thierry Parcellier (FR, Atos VR), 3: Markus Fiechter (CH, Atos VR).
Advance’s first walkers’ glider, the Alpha 4 Hike, is now in production. The first gliders will be available next month.
The R&D team were very pleased that they managed to hit all the targets set for the glider in terms of its weight, small pack size, performance and certification (EN B / LTF 1-2 in all three of its sizes (23, 25, 28)). The glider weighs in at between 3.9kg (size 23) and 4.55 kg (size 28)
It is certified for a greater take off weight than the Alpha 4, effectively enabling a pilot to choose a smaller glider, and for it to cope with stronger winds. It also has thinner lines, both of these features enhancing its flying performance, but safety has not been compromised.
Advance would like to point out that compared with a “normal” ADVANCE paraglider, an ALPHA 4 HIKE’s lifespan will be clearly shorter, especially if doesn’t get kind treatment, due to the lightweight materials used.
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
I come before FAI to present a formal complaint against the ANDRADAS CUP
– FAI II CLASS event organizers.
The Andradas Cup will also be valid as the second and final round of the
2008 Brazilian Paragliding Championship, which will select and qualify
the Brazilian Team for the Paragliding World’s in Mexico 2009
It is my opinion that the organizers should prioritize the professional
competitors who, like me, have responsibilities with their sponsors.
I would like to point out that on the ABP – Brazilian Paragliding
Association - official website, the registering for the competition
would start on May 1st, contrarily to the information presented on the
organizer’s website (who is also a director for ABP), in which the
registering began on April 14th.
All the 150 available places were taken in the first 48 hours beginning
on April 14th, not according to what was stated on the ABP website.
Furthermore, these places were taken by a mix of unranked pilots and
foreign pilots, the latter with payment privileges not extended to
Brazilian pilots. I was able to register in time but the site had
problems and denied my registering.
I sent a memo to ABP explaining what had happened and arguing that I am
a ranked pilot able to qualify for the World`s 2009, having finished the
first round of the Brazilian’s in Valadares among the first 35 and that
I must have a place in this competition.
So far my plea has been ignored by ABP.
Therefore, I hereby appeal to FAI to intercede with the Andradas Cup
organizers, a FAI class II event, to review my registering in accordance
to the reasons aforementioned.
I appreciate your taking the time to evaluate my request.
Sincerely,
Carlos Bonifacio - CIVL 3024
Paragliding Pilot since 1993.
…
As part of the Scottish Nationals series, Flying Fever are hosting an Arran paragliding competition this weekend, 17th & 18th May.
BHPA club pilots and above are welcome. (more…)
Bruce Kavanagh (Wills Wing T2) took first place in the first round of the British Open Series at long Mynd, nearly 1000 points ahead of second-placed Tony Stephens (Aeros Combat). Third was Dave Matthews (Moyes Litespeed). Bruce is now British Open Champion 2008.
The comp, which ran from 2 - 6 May, saw two good tasks (a 50km task with 7 in goal on day 2; and a 80km task with 9 in goal on the last day), two days canned and one disappointing day where a task was set but only extended top-to-bottoms possible.
The BOS is a series of 3 UK-based competitions, the second of which will be held at Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales from 9 - 13 July.
For further info on this series of comps, www.bhgc.wikidot.com
At about 23:20 last night Steve Nash arrived at the finish line and between 1 and 2 minutes later Paul Myerscough also arrived. Paul was also winner of the “longest flight of the competition” award. First female was Jitka Polechova.
Peter Brinkeby is opening a new action sport tour agency in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
He’s chosen the area as he says it’s a perfect location for water, land and air sports where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the Pacific Ocean and create a natural playground for adults.
Paragliding tours and courses, kitesurfing, ultralights, sailing and mountainbiking are just a few of the selected activities. Check out www.activ8vallarta.com for more info.
When you order a Pro Design Cuga (DHV 1), Accura (DHV 1-2) or Thema (DHV 1-2 (2)) you have total freedom to select the colours of your choice (from their available pallette) at no extra cost.
Their philosophy is that they believe “Humans are individuals. Color and design have always expressed individualism. You have furnished your flat individually, your car has a personal note. Then why do you still fly a paraglider with the same design as all the others?
Four tasks out of a possible seven were flown in this week’s PWC in Poggio Bustone, Italy, the first of the 2008 series. Urban Valic (Sl) was the victorious pilot taking gold aboard his Niviuk Icepeak. Silver went to Primoz Podobnik (Sl, Axis Mercury) and bronze to Stefan Schmoker (CH, Advance Omega). First woman, and 38th overall, was Renata Kuhnova (CZ, Sky Eris 3).
For all results, see http://2008.paraglidingworldcup.org
The next event is in Grindelwald, Switzerland, May 24 - 31.
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