BGD’s Weightless is back in January 2020, this time in Roldanillo, Colombia.
The competition scores pilots in weight categories, the thinking being to even things out with a handicap system that favours lighter pilots. Organisers say:
“Being big has less of an advantage, and carrying excessive ballast will not help you so much. We want to have a fun week where everyone feels like they have a chance of scoring well, regardless of what they fly, and how heavy they fly“.
Organisers can’t praise the venue enough, listing off attributes including: “grassy launches, colourful valleys, masses of landing options, some of the friendliest people on the planet, sun, flowers, music, good food and loads and loads of good flatland flying which everyone can enjoy”.
A brand new BGD glider is the most coveted prize in the raffle, but there are lots of other goodies to be won too including Naviter flight instruments.
The competition precedes the British Open and Colombian Nationals to be held at the same venue, so if you have the time and the inclination there’s the possibility to do all three.
The 2020 Forbes Flatlands Hang Gliding Championship 2020 takes place at the Bill Moyes International Airport at the beginning of January.
A practice day on 3 January will be followed by eight competition days starting 4 January.
Launch is by aerotow (the aerotow is organised by Mr Bill Moyes himself), so pilots must be aerotow qualified and bring their own tow release and bridle. HGFA membership is compulsory.
The entry fee is $350 before 7 November, $400 before 7 December, $450 at registration. An aerotow feee of $450 covers unlimited tows and 10 days’ club and site fees.
Register at forbesflatlands.com
The Open Andes 2020 will take place at Loma de los Angeles in Merida, Venezuela, from 7-11 January.
Photo: Ozone
The British Winter Open 2020 will take place in Roldanillo, Colombia from 18-25 January 2020.
The British Championships will be determined by the combined results of this competition, and a Summer Open.
Flying is in the foothills of the Cordillera Occidental. The Cauca Valley is now well known as a cross-country paragliding destination, thanks to its good infrastructure and plenty of open space to land.
More information on Airtribune, Registration here.
This year’s Bright Open will be organised by Wally Arcidiacono in conjunction with the Australian Paragliding Squad. Members of the squad will be responsible for various aspects of the competition organisation prior to the competition start date, and any profits made will be directed back to the Australian Squad for training and coaching purposes.
Mentoring will be available, and the event will be run in parallel with the Gundowring Open using Mystic, Gundowring, Ray’s Hill, Mt Emu and Tawonga Gap sites.
The Flow Corryong Open takes place at Mt. Elliot in Queensland, Australia which is ” just a few thermal glides from Mt Kosciuszko, the highest mountain in Australia”.
It’s mountain flying, and organisers say “the valley system makes the flying spectacular and the retrieves easy and quick”. Pilots need to organise their own retrieve drivers.
It’s a high-level comp aimed at experienced intermediate and advanced rated pilots. It’s the last AAA event of the Australian season, and the last chance for Australian pilots to gain Ladder points.
Overseas pilots should know about rules to do with preventing bushfires, including no smoking and no rocket flares.
The New Zealand Paragliding Open/New Zealand Championship is set to take pace in Roturua, the “thermal wonderland of New Zealand’s North Island”, from 29 February to 2 March 2020.
Organisers say the venue is within reach of two of the North Island’s top sites: the Kaimai Range to the north and the Paeroa Range to the south.
In case of non-flyable days, there is plenty to see and do in the area which is renowned for geothermal activity and Maori culture.
Pilots must be NZHGPA members to take part, and must have a tracking device (Spot or similar). Details on Airtribune.com
The Stubai Cup is back! The 28th event will take place from 6-8 March 2020, and will host the Paragliding Accuracy Cup.
There’s always a great atmosphere at this open-air trade show and testival, and it’s a great way to meet up with old friends and kick-start the 2020 European flying season.
The 4th FAI Pan-American Paragliding Championship / Brazil Open will take place in Baixo Guandú from 7-14 March 2020, hosted by Hipoxia Adventure Sports.
This annual speedriding festival takes place from 28 March to 4 April 2020. All levels are welcome, and riders will be mixing with and learning from some of the world’s top pros including Martin Schricke, Francois Bon, Maxence Cavalade, Yo Casta and Jules Gentet.
It’s run by skiandfly.com, who offer various packages which include accommodation (various options), daily workshops and clinics, plus there will be equipment available to test and social activities. Private coaching sessions are available at extra cost.
