Distance record set in tandem paraglider flight
• Wanaka
By Marjorie Cook
Competitors in the New Zealand Paragliding Championships took to the air this week, after a welcome change in weather. On Monday, the first day of competition, Auckland pilot Hugo Brighouse (38) and passenger Ruth Lyons (61) of Hawea Flat broke the New Zealand distance record for a tandem flight. The pair flew 48km from Treble Cone to the Lindis Pass, bettering the previous record by 1.5km. Queenstown pilot Angus Tapper, Grant Middendorf (Wanaka) and Mark Hardman, of Queenstown, were first, second and third respectively on Monday. Harmony Gaw, of Wanaka, flew 54km to win the women’s competition. She was 13th overall. Competition spokesman Peter Groves of Wanaka said yesterday nine of 51 pilots made the 69km Ahuriri River goal on Monday. To have so many people achieving long distances from Treble Cone was “particularly special”, he said. Middendorf, Tapper, Bryan Moore (Wanaka) and Russell Read, of Picton, continued to fly on and beat the 100km mark. Read completed the longest distance, reaching 125km. “To do a flight over 100km is pretty rare in New Zealand, actually. We’ve had quite a few this year, so we’ve had a pretty special season,” Mr Groves said. The New Zealand Paragliding Championships and earlier paragliding festival had been grounded for most days since December 31 because of strong northwest winds. The conditions on Monday were ideal, although thermals were still strong and “punchy”, with a 20kmh-25kmh tail wind, Mr Groves said. Paragliders normally travel about 38kmh and with the tail winds on Monday, were reaching speeds of about 65kmh. Strong winds returned yesterday, causing turbulence and disrupting competition. Most pilots did not make it past Glendhu Bay and none made the Cardrona Valley goal. Yesterday’s event does not count towards national rankings. Northwest winds are forecast to return today and tomorrow before conditions for flying improve again later this week. Competitors’ daily results will be collated at the end of this week, with each pilot required to complete three valid tasks to count for national rankings. PHOTO: PETER GROVES On their way . . . New Zealand tandem paragliding record holder Hugo Brighouse, of Auckland, and passenger Ruth Lyons, of Hawea Flat, pass over Wanaka on Monday during their record flight.
