Rich Lovelace ~ hang gliding

Jonny Durand - Morning Glory

2009-09-30T22:11:00.001+01:00

Read all about it and see the pictures on Jonny's blog HERE

A cool hang gliding movie

2009-09-10T09:04:00.004+01:00

Great movie of the Laragne Worlds 2009

British Open Series - Round 3

2009-08-12T20:15:00.006+01:00

The last round of the BOS takes place 28 Aug - 2 September 2009.
This is a FAI Category 2 competition for both Class 1 (flexwing) and Class 5 (rigids).

Location: Lydbury North, Shropshire, England

Dates: Friday 28 August to Tuesday 1 September 2009

HQ: Powis Arms Pub

View Larger Map

GSP upload competition waypoints: from Thursday evening 27 August

Accommodation: Camping at the Powis Arms Pub - £5 per night. Tel: Gerry McLaren on 01588 680254 to book.

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Laragne Storms

2009-08-09T18:52:00.013+01:00

An unbelievable but v exciting and humbling day as the storm came from nowhere very very quickly. We all agree that we’ve never experienced a storm like it – In the orchard there were tents under 4inches of water and abandoned.

The storm started around 2pm and wasn’t over by 7pm. At some points there was a little flash of lightening and a bang immediately after which felt like someone shooting you in the head and some people screamed either in fear or delight?

The Party was ruined

Dutch Open - And the winner is....

2009-08-08T18:17:00.012+01:00

The last day of the Dutch Open took the pilots to the North side of the Charbe. The forecast was for storms and over development early afternoon and it was not wrong. There was a task called but as the wind was in the south and coupled with the towering cu the day was canned and Malcolm Brown became the Dutch Open Champion for the second year in a row. Top Dutch pilot was Koos, top women pilot was Koos's girl friend Daphne, top team was The Shaggers :-)

I had a very pleasant morning at the very silty brown watered gorge due to the storms yesterday and got back just in time for the rain/storm.

Team Shaggers

Top Bird - Daphne

You wouldn't want to walk under this?

............
.............
..............

Unless you were very small :-)

Dutch Open - Day 6 - Task 4 Stopped

2009-08-07T18:00:00.008+01:00

Aspre again today-

92km task to go south west then east then south then north into camping. There seemed to be a rush to get off as there was a potential cu nim above us :-O one near the first turn point and one toward Sisteron. Lots of lift I guess, so yea, lets av some?

I hate cloud flying and I hate flying when there are big nasties around and today I was very uncomfortable. Strange how your instincts are telling you you shouldn't take off and when you have, your senses seem to be in overdrive and all you want to do is go land somewhere nice.

The task was stopped when the big black one over Laragne started leaking and then seemed to short out a few times with a bit of wind around the edges. It has been going now for maybe 3-4 hours and its wet!

Malcom Brown it seems has taken the lead with Koos in second. Well done Malc if we don't fly tomorrow (its not looking good) .... it'll be 2 years in a row, nice one:-)

Safe n Sound

Dutch Open - Day 5 - Task 3

2009-08-06T21:58:00.016+01:00

118Km around 4 turnpoints with goal at the camping

The task saw us go back to Aspre as the wind was west again and from what Jeff, the local 'masseuse' reported from the Chabre take off it was the right call.

Most it seems had a good start with climbs to 8500 feet at the start then a nice glide with only 1 climb to the Charbe t/o.

Then onto Col St Ange and a quick squirt over to Charbre t/o and along the ridge 5km then back to a little lump called the Pic de Burre. Then back south via a small village near Beaumont and in. Easy for some eh? Seems Mr Brown is on fire again this year. Some were getting climbs upto 12000feet! Not bad for an iffy day.

I had not 1 smooth glide all day. My arms were killing me.

Malc and Koos - the race is on

Dutch Open - Task 2 Results

2009-08-06T17:14:00.001+01:00

You will find them HERE - top right under 'Newsflash' heading.

Cheers

Dutch Open - Day 4 - Task 2

2009-08-05T20:54:00.014+01:00

The task today saw us on the very pretty and easy launch of Aspre. Most of the wild flowers have gone now but the butterflies are in abundance and the wild raspberries are nearly ready for a foraging.

The task was set at the 77km mark around 4 turn points. From Aspre to the volcano then to Beaumont. From there to the big gap then a jump across onto that other big ridge heading west then into the camping. I'm great at remembering the names of ridges, hills and mountains – not!!

It was a fun day but I did have a poo poo start and a poo poo middle but otherwise a good end as I did make goal albeit a little slow:-[

The campsite is cool tonight with lots of live music from various tents. There is a happy vibe and the moon is full. Time to turn hairy.

Other bloggers:
Daphne
Zhenya
Hadewych
The results might (?)appear here?

Dutch Open - Task 1 - from the air & Results

2009-08-04T21:19:00.005+01:00

Ok - finding the results was not easy! .... but......

Here are Task 1 results which I found at the bottom of this page

Dutch Open - Day 3 - Task 1

2009-08-04T20:51:00.005+01:00

The wind eased off and today we had a 70k task:-

TP1 - 5k west of takeoff along the ridge
TP2 - across the valley to the SE at Gache
TP3 - a small village w of Sisteron along the Sisteron ridge
TP4 - Hongrie
Goal – a glide into goal at Laragne camping

It seems 3 people were in Goal. Koos I think was the first and Malcolm and myself (came 3rd and 4th but I don’t know who was 3rd and who was 4th!) landed 3k short of goal in the same field which is handy as Nicola is our faithful driver this week – thank you Nicola.

The forecast was for a very stable day with weak climbs and a lot smoother than yesterday with lighter northerly winds.

In all a very pleasant punt around the valley was had by some.

Dutch Open - Day 3 - The wind is still here:-(

2009-08-04T08:06:00.003+01:00

Even though there is little wind in the landing field there is on take off. Its still blowing North at 46kph according to the automated radio. I guess it just hasn't got the mixing going yet.

Home sweet home

My neighbours.

If you need a massage then Jeff is your man and if you need an xc bag or waterproof bag then Phil is your man. www.gliderbags.com These guys come out and live in their caravans all summer!! What a life eh? If only?mmmmmmmmm

Dutch Open - Day 2 - cancelled

2009-08-04T07:44:00.002+01:00

The second day of the Dutch Open was canned during flight due to the increasing WNW winds and darkening skies. It was very hard just to fly west along the ridge just to get the start never mind fly the 60+km task around the valley. It was one of them days where it was nice to be on the ground rather than in the air. Malcolm Brown carried on flying in wave and nearly did the course. He has no radio and no one, but no one got their legs out to show the task had been canned! I flew by at least 10 guys and not one acknowledged me. Crackers!

We will see what today brings as the sun is out and there is no wind so far.

Dutch Open - Day 1 - Cancelled

2009-08-02T21:26:00.023+01:00

There are over 40 of us here for the Dutch Open but the first day (today) was stormed out as we woke to rain and thunderstorms - some of the lightening was quite spectacular.

In the afternoon the weather cleared up a little so I had a trip to the gorge and had a snooze listening to Little Boots.

A very pleasant afternoon indeed.

Twisted metal

Reday for a fly?

I haven't seen Markus Kinch and didn't know he was here but I am told that he had a bad landing yesterday and broke some ribs and banged his head? If you are reading this Markus - Get Well Soon.

I am still struggling from a back/shoulder injury I picked up in Ager and today had a deep massage from Jeff at the Windsock Caravan. Jeff is easy to find - he has a windsock which says 'Massage' and next door to Jeff is Phil who makes glider bags and he has a windsock which says 'Glider bags' brilliant!

I had a really nice flight yesterday with unbelievable visibility - again I flew with no camera - why do I keep doing this? The wind was a little strong WSW and I flew to Pic de burre in turbulent conditions but unfortunately I couldn't get back so THANK YOU Nicola for the retrieve especially on a French black traffic weekend - to avoid the traffic we had a scenic drive around the volcano which Nicola didn't mind at all!

Forecast is for possibly a good day tomorrow - fingers crossed.

Malcolm "I hate cats" Brown :-) - Very pretty camping cat

Other bloggers:
Daphne
Zhenya
Hadewych

2009 British National Champion

2009-07-27T09:22:00.017+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Shedsy who is our new British National Champion and winner of the Alvin Russell Trophy 2nd -Bruce Kavanagh
3rd - Carl Wallbank

Ager Open
1st -Vladimir Leuskov
2nd - Dave Shields (aka Shedsy)
3rd -Bruce Kavanagh

The last day of the comp was Saturday and the task committee tried very hard to make the last day nail biting – with only a few points separating the leaders it could have all changed! A 99k task was set mainly keeping us in the Tremp valley but was stopped at 14:50.

It is unfortunate that we only had 2 taskable days – albeit very good tasks – the flying the week before in the Pre Euros had been great and I am pleased that I got to experience Ager at its (almost) best - as I’ve already said Ager is fast becoming one of my favourite sites.

Our new Nationals Meet Director Tim did a great job of leading the comp and at prizegiving added a very nice touch by asking all us Brits to stand to one side and thank all the foreign competitors for attending - with the relatively low turn out of Brits we needed the foreign pilots to make the 'competition'. I would like to thank Tim and the Comps Panel for a great organised comp. My thanks also go to super scorer Mark and of course local organiser Nicky Moss for all their help and support both leading up to the comp and during it. Thank you all.

Many of the foreign pilots commented that it was one of the best organised comps they have attended and hope to enter next year. This is the sort of word of mouth publicity that is crucial to the long term success of the Nationals. I hope more Brits make it out next year.

The overall Results are here

I am now heading over to Laragne, France for the Dutch Open - wifi access is better there so hope to be able to do a bit more blogging in the coming 2 weeks.

Random Photos from Ager

2009-07-23T17:06:00.008+01:00

British Nationals - Ager, Spain 2009

2009-07-23T14:19:00.012+01:00

Apologies for the lack of blogging – it seems to be more of an effort to do anything here, due to the heat, long days and also the fact that wifi is only available in the one place. No pictures either I am afraid it takes way too long to upload them that I gave up! (Will try a direct upload from picasa and see what happens).

The Nationals started on Sunday straight after the Pre-Euoros. We've only had 2 tasks so far due to the 'wind'! Today is another canned day with more of the same forecast for tomorrow.

Shedsy is currently winning the Nationals with Gordo in 5th place and itching for the weather to improve. Whilst I've had great flying I've been unlucky with the 2 tasks and unless a miracle happens will not be able to move up the rankings - hey ho.

Ager is an absolutely brilliant place - the flying, the drive up to take off, the rigging area, the take off, the camping - need I say more? Shame more Brits didn't decide to come (perhaps the memories of some who flew here 20 odd years ago put them off?). It is fast becoming my favourite site to fly.

Our new Nationals Meet Director, Tim Hudson along with the comps panel members here is/are doing a brilliant job. The morning briefings are filled with humour and also very useful and detailed information, we are using an SMS system to keep in touch not only for signing out but also for passing on other information and last night Tim organised a social and meal out at a local hotel which was attended by most of the pilots, their drivers and also families.

I guess the only downside to Ager is the Police – people have been fined for parking on the roadside to collect a pilot, for not having a red and white alert board and perhaps more seriously …... I was fined an amount which would buy a new carbon basebar for speeding ….... the Police man had a credit card machine in the back of his car and if I didn't pay there and then was going to immobilise the car and significantly increase the fine.

RESULTS HERE
Other bloggers:
Jamie
Zhenya
Follow Jamie on Twitter

Pre Euros - Ager, Spain

2009-07-13T16:43:00.003+01:00

The Pre-Euros started on Saturday and after fluffing the first short task, yesterday I had a good day. I flew my own flight which was very satisfying. The scenery is beautiful, the views are beautiful, the flying is great - what more can you ask for?

The task is cancelled today so catching up with a bit of sleep as there are many late nights in Spain and the wine is cheap ;-)

Follow Jamie on Twitter for news as it happens!
Jonny's blog
Jamie's blog
Corinna's blog
Ager blog

RESULTS

A new World Champion

2009-07-03T22:42:00.019+01:00

Well done to Alessandro Ploner (ITA) - the new World Champion

2nd Jonny Durand AUS My God Jonny so close

3rd Thomas Weissenberger AUT

4th Zac Majors USA

5th Gordon Rigg GBR

Well done Gordy looking forward to the Whiskey you owe me in celebration – bring on the Nationals. See you in Ager.

OVERALL TEAM RESULTS
1st - Italy
2nd - Austria
3rd - France
4th - Brazil
5th - Australia
6th - USA
7th - GBR

Individual GBR placings
5 - Gordon Rigg
15 - Carl Wallbank
26 - Bruce Kavanagh
32 - Grant Crossingham
67 - Gary Wirdnam
More News HERE
Results HERE

BRITISH HANG GLIDING HISTORY.COM

2009-06-21T10:19:00.004+01:00

Digitised versions of WINGS starting with issue No1 1975 are now available on line HERE

Check out the history and see how far we’ve come with wing developments – pretty impressive.

All magazines come from a collection belonging to Mark Woodhams.

The Worlds : 20 June - 4 July, France

2009-06-12T15:39:00.013+01:00

GOOD LUCK to the Brit team at The Worlds:-

Grant Crossingham - current British Nationals Champion (top right)
Bruce Kavanagh (top left)
Carl Wallbank (bottom right)
Gary Wirdnam (middle left)
Gordon Rigg (middle right)

Jamie is driving for the Brits and I am sure she will keep us posted with how the team is doing. Keep an eye on Jamie's blog for news as it happens. CLICK HERE

Other bloggers:
Jonny Durrand
Davis @ The Oz Report
Jeff, Jeff & Dustin

You can see for yourself what a great place to fly Laragne is:

So what's hang gliding all about?

2009-06-05T15:38:00.001+01:00

Just come across this great short film advertising the delights of hang gliding by Lucas Ridley - nicely put together

British Open Series - Round 2 - The Movies

2009-06-04T19:51:00.011+01:00

Markus Kinch has put together movies from the Second Round of the British Open Series - thanks Markus.

If you have trouble viewing the movies you can also find them HERE

The Results HERE

Shedsy @ the Swiss Nationals

2009-06-01T20:09:00.013+01:00

Shedsy has done a grand write up from the Swiss Nationals.
Check it out HERE
Results HERE

Was the last day today. He's moving on to France for the French Nationals which take place 7-13 June - lucky bu88er!

British Open Series - Round 2 - The Dales

2009-05-27T19:30:00.039+01:00

Pilots and Crew
The Results HERE

Pete - our 'new' Meet Head

The 2nd round of the British Open Series took place over the Bank Holiday Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales 22 - 26 May 2009.

Unfortunately due to not so good weather there were only 3 tasks - which was lucky for me as they happened to be on the days I was able to be there!

There were 4 flyable days out of the 5 – but only 3 were taskable. Task’s 1 and 3 were hampered by the fact that it was so windy. Task 2 was one not to miss!!

Tailbridge

The first task was from a SW site called Tailbridge which is a very easy top landable but small site with boonies over the back for miles so we had a small turn point which dragged us slightly crosswind before heading downwind in almost total grey sky – 1 up climbs, 2 if you were lucky to around ‘not very high’ ft asl. Gordon and I were together for the first climb. All I intended to do was get the turnpoint and land as it really did look pants but I got a weak one en route and stayed with it, then a wee glide to a ridge with another weak climb and then an amazingly fast glide toward the goal overtaking cars on the A66. When I turned to land I was still heading towards the goal!! It was windy but all got back on the deck ok albeit with wet feet as it was on the top of the Pennines and bog land.

Shedsy won the day flying 22.9km of the 29km task.

Task 2. Weather fell take off. WNW site but flyable round to WSW which was the 'wave' direction. A few guys took off and it did not look too inspiring as the wind was 45’ off to the hill, windy and they were not high in the blue sky. After a while a few were getting to 2000+ but then back down to low again so this was a sign that something was starting to happen..... It was time to commit to aviation.

After flying around in odd and sometimes bumpy conditions I noticed a few guys starting to speck out pointing 90’ to the hill at the N end of the valley where it opens out. Bar in and get there and low and behold a climb of 200ft-250ft pm that didn’t stop until 8200ft was reading on the alti. The views were amazing with both coastlines in view and the few cu 3-4000 ft below BUT and NO camera!

Photos by Justin Needham

After being so drunk on the view I almost forgot we were on a task and the last clock was coming up so off I went following the edge of the valley in super smooth air then a little down air to 5000ft then the next bar. I couldn’t make out if it was thermal or wave at first as it was a little choppy compared to what we had. You could see small rotor clouds forming then disappearing just as quick below so maybe I wasn’t in it proper? This went on for another 3 climbs and then I had company with Gary Wirdnam and Dave Shields (Shedsy). We glided together up to the A1 where we were now into thermal flying with very little cloud. It was amazing to see the fields of young green crop swirling away below and the air steaming in on all sides as the lift kicked off. I can’t remember ever seeing this so frequently in this country? We got a climb to 4500ft and started a glide over the top of Leeming airspace but for some reason Shedsy decided to go S following the A1. Maybe he thought he could not get over the airspace? Gary and I carried on and by now I was higher and in front by a couple of km or so heading toward my local SW site, Sutton Bank where I knew it would be working. As it turned out I didn’t even stop to ridge soar as I was 2000+ above the top so searched around down wind and found a crappy little climb which I tried to stay with but the ground falls away for a few miles and pulls the air down with it so I had a glide in very sinky air and in need of a climb I went and was rewarded just short of Helmsley with a 4up where the land once again goes flat and things start to go back to normal. This I took to 3000 and then it was an easy glide into Goal at Wombelton airfield which was built during the 2nd world war. Gary came in a few mins after followed by Shedsy. A super super day only ruined by a speeding ticket on the way back to score.

T2 - Goalfield

Bruce
Myles

Justin

Gordon and Dave

Task 3 was a frustrating day!! We couldn’t use the preferred nice hill as the club forbid more than 6 'things' flying at any one time so we went to a redundant flying site down the valley with a not too bad carry up but a crappy cliff launch with another cliff out front! The forecast was for light wind but we had strong wind. We even had to lay our gliders flat as there was so much rotor!

Graham Phipps won the day flying 34.8km of the 81.1km task.
Nappa Scar

Task 1 – Tailbridge to Eccleston Abbey – 29km
1 – Shedsy
2 – Tony Stephens
3 – Graham Phipps
4 – Rich Lovelace
5 – Paul Harvey
6 – Bruce Kavanagh
7 – Dave Matthews
7 – Gary Wirdnam
9 – Grant Crossingham
10 – Neil Atkinson

Task 2 – Wether Fell to Wombleton – 79.5km
1 – Rich Lovelace
2 – Gary Wirdnam
3 – Shedsy
4 – Justin Needham
5 – Bruce Kavanagh
6 – Myles Kynaston
7 – Tony Stephens
8 – Dave Matthews
9 – Graham Phipps
9 – Gordon Rigg
9 – Paul Harvey

Task 3 – Nappa Scar to Colywell – 81.1km
1 – Graham Phipps
2 – Steve Penfold
3 – Wayne Thompson
4 – Stewart Reid
5 – Dave Matthews
6 – Rich Lovelace
7 – Gordon Rigg
7 – Tony Stephens
9 – Bruce Kavanagh
10 – Tim King

Overall
1 – Rich Lovelace – 1869
2 – Gary Wirdnam – 1795
3 – Graham Phipps – 1602
3 – Bruce Kavanagh – 1602
5 – Tony Stephens – 1568
6 – Dave Matthews – 1533
7 – Gordon Rigg – 1449
8 – Grant Crossingham – 1355
9 – Shedsy – 1305
10 – Stewart Reid - 1264

Cheers to Gordon - Why is Gordon happy? He's going to Laragne!