Alex Ploner (33 yrs), of Italy, the new Hang Gliding World Champion:

Task 8 was a 152 km task.

The day became one of the most technical and challenging days of the comp.

Today's hang gliding, Task 7

Here's what we do when it's too windy for a hang gliding task:

Above: World record holder Klaus Ohlmann and I, flying his spaceship through the local Alps

We finally pulled off another task for the 2009 Hang Gliding World Championships.

The day was PUMPING, as it delivered incredibly dynamic lift and sink, all before the clouds OVERdeveloped into a major storm.

Day 5:

Amazing flying conditions on both days with strong climbs (1200 feet /min).

We've been flying the valleys and the diving deep in to the mountains. 

 Yesterday, Task 1 of 162 km, there was drama at the goal line as about 10 pilots didn't quite get through the sinky air, and landed JUST short of the goal line.  -I was one of them.

Jeff O'brien, of USA, smoked the day with a confident win.

DAY 1 and Day 2: cancelled due to high winds.

BUT, the forecast looks good for the next few days!

Pic above: Flying above the main launch last week.

Photo below: Lucas, on the safety committee, using “Bader-Scale” hair-meter to flag any high-velocity gusts.

NEWS: After completing the Australian competition season, I've now locked in my spot on the Australian Hang Gliding Team!

The top four Aussies will be heading to France this June, to compete in the 2009 Hang Gliding World Championships.

   READ MORE and/or BUY a T-SHIRT!

Here's a sweet T-shirt that you can now buy. Also, the proceeds of these shirts will go directly to the big costs of chasing the title. Thank you for your SUPPORT!

Back graphic:

Here's the front of the shirt below:

Above: Curt lovin' the Moyes Litespeed RS and the Big Air in Dalby

Day one's task was set LONG at 338 kilometers, starting at Dalby and finishing at Mitchell to the west.

This year's Australian Nationals were held at the 21st annual Bogong Cup, in Mount Beauty, Victoria.

Task 3: Launching in my Moyes Litespeed RS4 at Tawonga Gap
Photo by Lotte Barthelmes

This year’s event attracted hang gliding pilots from Austria, Germany, USA, Switzerland, Russia, Holland, Spain, Japan, and Australia.

I'm really looking forward flying a few of the Australian comps this year, and if all goes well, flying the World Championships in France in June 2009.
Finally, after the Australian immigration, and launching Warren Windsports Australia 1.5 years ago, I now feel that it's a good time to fly a few comps again.