Swiss Nic <willswing>
writes:

http://www.fai.org/civl-awards/civl-individual-disciplines

This Medal was established in February 1993 in memory of Pedro
Paulo "Pepe" Lopes of Brazil who was the World Hang Gliding Champion in 1981.
His energy and good humour played a big part in developing Brazil as an
important centre for international competitions. He died during a hang gliding
competition in Japan in 1991. The Medal may be awarded annually, on
recommendation by the FAI Hang Gliding Commission, for outstanding contributions
to sportsmanship or international understanding in the sport of hang gliding.

The year 2012 winner, my personal hero : 2012 Conrad Loten (New Zealand)

On the 24th of December 2012 at about 1.30, Conrad Loten and Roberto Nichele
(Switzerland) aka ‘Swiss Nic’ launched hang gliders in the Hunter Valley NSW
Australia. Conrad launched first successfully. Unfortunately Nic crashed below
launch on a cliff face. Conrad landed and returned to launch by which time Nic
had been hanging in his glider unconscious head down in 40C for some one and a
half hours.

Emergency services had difficulty affecting a rescue. Conrad took it upon
himself to climb down to Nic, as he assessed the situation as critical with Nic
having sustained head injuries. Due to legal reasons, emergency services were
not able to assist Conrad. Although he is a highly qualified medical
practitioner he has no recue training.

With great difficulty and danger to himself, Conrad was able to get to Nic and
using basic tools cut through his glider, raise his head and administer first
aid. Eventually with Conrad’s help and insistence, Nic was extracted and
evacuated to hospital. He was found to have cerebral bleeding and was placed on
life support. He is now on a recovery program for his brain injury and hopes are
held for a good recovery. There is little doubt that without Conrad’s selfless
act, that went well beyond what is expected of a doctor, the result for Nic
would have been considerably worse and most probably fatal.