STORM activity yesterday helped swell Gunnedah publicans’ coffers as international paragliders decided to play it safe, land near the town and have a decent counter lunch.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Godfrey Wenness, the organiser of the Manilla XC (cross-country) Camp 2015 paragliding competition, said a storm cell mid-
afternoon didn’t so much affect paragliders with wind, but left them wet around Gunnedah and Boggabri.
The competition, underway since Saturday January 31 and wrapping up on Wednesday has 118 competitors, with the Aussies facing the heat from competitors from Japan, Tahiti and New Zealand.
He said flying conditions for this year’s event were looking good following a week of stormy weather.
“Already ... pilots have flown as far as Walgett, Yetman and Gulgong,” Mr Wenness said.
The XC Camp events were the only high-level paragliding competitions utilising the “open distance” format where pilots tried to fly as far as possible.
“They use rising currents of warm air, just like eagles do, to provide lift to heights up to 3000 metres,” Mr Wenness said.
“By finding a number of these thermals, long distances can be flown – all without an engine. Pilots could end up as far away as southern Queensland, the Hunter Valley or Walgett each day.”
Visitors can view the competition via a two-wheel-drive access up the mountain.
“The 880-metre high Mt Borah launch site provides a great vantage point for spectators to see the colourful gliders take to the air around midday daily and offers panoramic views over the Manilla, Namoi and Peel valleys.
“If it rains on the site we don’t fly - but most of the rain’s around the region so we still keep flying.”
On Saturday, pilots got as far as Armidale, Walcha and Ebor.
