The 2008 New Zealand Paragliding Championships and Air Games

The 2008 New Zealand Paragliding Championships was a great success all around: six flyable days, a great variety of tasks from short 30km taks to 80+km tasks. With some weather luck and the great local knowledge of the organisers, this was one of the best Nationals ever.

Jeff Ripley, Gin Boomerang Sport, is new NZ Champion, Bryan Moore is second, and Reuben Muir is third.

The NZ Airgames were held in Wanaka in December. This was a rather unique event as it was designed to be televised and to achieve maximum effect for cameras and spectators.

Hence, rather than long difficult tasks leading far into the mountains, the task for this competition was short and fast, televised from the ground, the helicopter as well as cameras on the pilots.

At the last turn point, Jeff Ripley met up with another competitor and with help of his trusty Boomerang Sport, narrowly won a real head-to-head race.

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