27/08/2019

Excitement is building for the world-renown Forbes Flatlands Hang Gliding Championship, to be held from Friday 3rd thru Saturday 11th January. It is expected to be a great turn out with over 60 pilots from Australia and across the globe set to take part in this thrilling event, that has been running for nearly 30 years.

Event organiser, Vicki Cain said the appeal of Forbes lies in its consistent flying conditions, the great hospitality shown to the hang gliding fraternity and the competition organisation from the local community. “Forbes is also a great competition for new pilots wanting to further their skills. Competition flying is the best way to whet your appetite and at the same time boost your enthusiasm to chase your dreams of competitive free flight,” said Vicki.

“We encourage participation in the sport class for pilots entering their first competition. They can get a real taste and experience first-hand what an internationally renown competition is all about. There is great camaraderie amongst all the pilots, and even the most seasoned pilots still get a buzz out of seeing new pilots achieving success and earning their stripes.

“Forbes offers great flatlands flying with consistent weather and racing conditions. There are plenty of landing options in the open fields and a great road network for the retrieves.”

The eight-day competition will again take place at “Bill’s Paddock” fondly named the “Bill Moyes International”, north of the Forbes Airport. Headquarters this year will be at the Van Den Berg Hotel. We will again have the live tracking available so, family and friends from afar can watch.

“Just two years ago, we were able to call the longest task ever in a hang gliding competition; 389km from Forbes heading north to Manilla,” said Vicki.

“Of the 46 competitors, 16 pilots – made the 389km task, including Sasha Serebrennikova from Russia, which set a new Women’s World record.”

The competition is run through the Sydney Hang Gliding Club with generous support from the NSW HGPGA and a host of volunteers from all over the country. It is rewarding for all of us to know that we play a part in hosting this world-renowned competition which lays the platform for these amazing pilots to achieve these milestones.

“We are hoping for a great turn out of pilots this year and hope to see some more personal bests and record-breaking tasks,” said Vicki.

Registrations are now open for the 2020 event. Pilots can register at Forbes Flatlands.