Russell Ogden won the US Paragliding Open in Chelan last week, with Galen Kirkpatrick winning the Women’s class. Nate Scales and Nelissa Milfield won the Sports Class. “We had six out of seven tasks with a total task distance of 564km,” said organiser Matt Senior.
The 90-second highlight videos of each day’s flying are a masterclass themselves in comp reporting: each one gives a unique insight into the task setting and tactics – as well as the amazing flying – involved in competition flying.
TASK 1
First Task of the US Open of Paragliding 2023 takes the pilots along Lake Chelan towards Stormy Mountain to then cross the Columbia into the flats for a 100+km task to Mansfield, WA.
TASK 2
Second Task of the US Open of Paragliding 2023 takes the pilots on a short trip out to the flast for an in-out-in around Mansfield to avoid potential weather in Chelan.
TASK 3
Third Task of the US Open of Paragliding 2023 after waiting on the weather takes the pilots on an out and back into the flats to avoid potential rain in Chelan.
TASK 4
Fourth Task of the US Open of Paragliding 2023 the start gaggle gets split in two sending one group to the mountains and one to the flats for the start of an interesting race
TASK 5
Fifth task takes the pilots on a short mountain leg before heading north up the Okanogan Valley to Tonasket, WA
TASK 6
Sixth task takes the pilots out to the flats on a blue sky day to the north end of the Grand Coulee
WRAP UP
The week wraps up with 6 out of 7 taskable days sending the pilots home safe and happy, see who won the 2023 US Open of Paragliding in all classes. Already looking forward to next year!
