Sky Rocket Media's Flying Blog

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

10th August 2013 British Nationals

10th August 2013 British Nationals Ager, Spain. Some views to remember...

With little time to do a proper blog, these photos hopefully go some way to illustrate why hang glliding is such an amazing sport. Task 4 delivered some epic views as I climbed up the side of clouds with Gordon Rigg (GB) and Glen McFarlane (AUS). I then I lost sight of them. Nothing to do with cloud - they just flew so fast that I couldn't keep up!

The full results of the competition can be found here on the official BHGC "Welcome to Goal" website (www.bhgcomps.co.uk).

Clouds forming over launch

I just love my Wills WIng T2C! Big thanks to Cloud 9 for supplying such a beautiful, sweet handling glider.

Approaching cloud base

A localised lowering of cloud base

Starting to climb up the side of the clouds

Just beautiful - following a glider through a cloud tunnel!

Keeping a close eye on gliders nearby

The Ager ridge with swirling clouds forming beneath

Sunday, 4 August 2013

3rd August 2013 Belgian Catalan HG Open Closing Ceremony

3rd August 2013 Belgian Catalan HG Open Closing Ceremony

After four very good flying days, the wind became too strong with too much East to allow for safe take off at Ager so there was no more flying after Task 4. The Closing Ceremony and Prize Giving was held on Saturday 3rd August.

The full results can be found here:
http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/

And a few pictures...

Ager ridge from the "Pig Farm" bottom landing

Belgian Catalan Open podium

Belgian Nationals podium

Rigid winners

Catalan winners

Sports class podium

All the winners

Sangria by the bucket

Ready for BBQ and party

Saturday, 3 August 2013

31st July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 4

31st July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 4

http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/

Task 4 track and route

Climbing at the start circle

Gliding at start

Meeting the lead gaggle on their way back from TP2

Climbing out of danger - where are the landings?

"No Land" zone

Gliding to TP3

Getting low around TP3

Concentrating on landing!

So close yet so far - goal only another 4km on towards the ridge

30th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 3

30th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 3

http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/

Task 3 track and route

29th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 2

http://www.belgianandcatalanopen.org/

Task 2 and my track - ran out of time to complete the course!

View towards the Big Stuff from launch

Ben rigged

A wind dummy launches

Andreas and Gordon

Landing options????

North of the lake heading south to the ridge

Hunting for lift on the way to TP2

Climbing before TP2

Darren at TP2

Ben in landing field

Private airstrip!

Brett takes a spring shower

Monday, 29 July 2013

28th July 2013 Belgian Catalan Open Day 1

Hi All,

After two stints as Team GB Manager, I am now on a flying trip to Spain, this time as a pilot.

The first week from 28th July to 3rd August is to fly in the Belgian Catalan Open in Ager as part of the BHGC www.bhgcomps.co.uk Training Camp - an in initiative to coach up and coming competition pilots to widen the net for potential British Team members.

And then from 4th to the 10th August the British Nationals take part in the same place - so two weeks of solid flying, weather permitting of course!

I will upload photos as often as possible but will probably give myself a break from actually writing a blog. Hopefully the pictures will tell the story...