The biggest week long event on the Australian paragliding calendar takes flight at Manilla’s Mt Borah on Saturday with some big distances anticipated.
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The flying conditions for the Manilla XC Camp are looking great after the extremely hot weather around the region, and pilots are expecting to cover some epic distances.
Pilots have already this month flown as far as Collarenabri, Coonabarabran, Muswellbrook and Ebor.
The XC Camp events are the only high level international paragliding competitions utilising the “Open Distance” format where pilots try to fly as far as possible for each of the 8 days.
Around 120 pilots will compete with 14 nations represented, including a large team from Japan.
The regular teams from New Zealand and Tahiti will also compete with international pilot numbers up on last year.
Local Manilla and Tamworth pilots will also take to the air.
The pilots use rising currents of warm air called “thermals” to provide lift to heights up to 3000m (10,000ft).
By finding a number of these thermals, long distances can be flown – all without an engine. Pilots could potentially end up as far away as southern Queensland, the Hunter Valley or west of Walgett.
Visitors are welcome to Mt Borah during the competition.
The 880m high 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 River valleys.