Troy Whitmore
writes:

This weekend the open distance hang gliding record in Ontario
which has stood for 12 years was shattered by 60 year old pilot Ken Kinzie from
Kitchener, Ontario.

Ken who has been flying hang gliders since 1980 was towed up Saturday afternoon
by an ultralight airplane near Arthur Ontario (West of Orangeville). At a
release altitude of two thousand feet Ken started on his quest.

Landing 7 hours later, 3 kilometres North of Napanee Ontario for a total
distance of 281 kilometres.

Ken is president of SOGA.ca (Southwestern Ontario Gliding Associaton). A hang
gliding club of over 35 years with approximately 50 members from across Southern
Ontario.

Before starting out on this record breaking flight Ken when asked "what his goal
was" replied that he only hoped to beat his personal best distance of 150 km.

Ken says, "I only used my GPS for monitoring my proximity to Pearson airspace. I
intentionally did not check my progress in distance as every time I anticipated
a record breaking flight in the past I ended up short.

I just stayed focused on centering in the mostly weak lift and finding the next
thermal. After landing I almost fell over when the data showed I had flown 281
kilometres !

Armand Acione of King City who set the previous record of 202 km 12 years ago,
spoke to Ken twenty minutes after he landed congratulating him.

Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (HPAC) president Domagoj Juretic
comments:

"In our sport which depends greatly on the unreliable Canadian climate, records
are few and far between and they are usually achieved in BC and Alberta which is
our sport's Mecca in Canada. This time this record was achieved in Ontario which
makes it even more special. Being an easterner myself I rejoice in this record
which shows the potential for great flights in this part of the country. I am
also happy that this record was achieved by one of our long standing members and
a true "gentleman pilot"."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGUxNDFIEEY