Erick Angles <<atout.vents>>
writes:

https://www.facebook.com/events/358700320921446/

In the last couple years, the competition commission of the French federation of
free flight (FFVL) has made it a priority to try and boost the national comp.
Circuit as well the national cross country Cup, which have both not been very
popular in the last few years with very few pilots participating in both…We have
already done quite a lot in order to do so and things are better but far from
perfect and for 2015 for example, we made sure that all the national comps were
registered as FAI Cat 2 to make them more attractive and we are working on
making available a live tracking system for the comps.

So being member of the commission but also president of Atout vents, I decided
that this year, in addition to organizing the St Andre Open, I would try to
create an emulation by combining other HG events in order to gather as many
pilots as possible and mix the genres with comp pilots, cross country pilots,
rookies, all together on the same sites…

So between the 9th and the 17th of May, there is a combination of events going
on in the St Andre area:

MetAVmorphose Cross Country Course at Col de Bleyne: May 9th to the 13th

Alain Chauvet (Metamorphose Courses. Multiple French and cross country Cup
champion) and Atout Vents have joined forces to organize a Cross Country Course
at Col de Bleyne. It’s one of the best cross country site there is (Current site
record is at 300+ Kms) as it starts early with a South-East take off and is
located 45 mns driving south of St Andre in the pre-Alpes.

The course is for up to 7 pilots with a minimum of 4. If you would like to come,
we would need you to let us as soon as possible because if we don’t have 4
pilots registered by the end of the month, we will most likely cancel the course
for this year.

If the weather forecast was so bad that we had to cancel, we are contemplating
report dates right after the St Andre Open, from the 18th to the 22nd.

The cost of the course is 375 Euros per pilot and includes the shuttle to take
off, briefings (security, weather, flight), Alain’s legendary Deluxe in flight
guiding, retrieves after the flights, debriefs etc. the beer is not included ;o)
Some theoretical trainings will be fitted in between flights depending the need
of the students and the weather on hand..

Requirements:

Pilot’s License

PTT radio

IGN 158 paper map

In brief:

Where: Southern Alpes – Col de Bleyne

When: May 9th to 13th

For who: Licensed hang glider pilots

Price: 375 Euros

French info here:
http://www.delta-club-82.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5240

Contact: Erick Angles: <atout.vents> 
or +33 624 557 369

Bleyne cross country Klassik: May 11th to 13th

It’s a pretty simple concept based on the older Italian XMAX of the late 90’s
and intended to mix competition and cross country pilots: We all meet on site
fairly early in the morning with a weather and security briefing but there is no
task set, no take off window, starts, nor gaggle to endure. The pilots take off
when ever they want after the briefing and go ‘where ever’ they want in a given
perimeter or axis depending on the weather forecast of the day. This is to
facilitate retrieves and enhance the security aspect of things. Also for
security purposes, the pilots will have to land 30 mns before the end of the
aeronautical day and to report back by phone before the end of the aeronautical
day (30 mns later).

The one who does the maximum kms wins! Not sure what yet but we’ll figure
something out

So, the first French style XMAX will be from May 11th to 13th in Col de Bleyne,
in parallel of the Cross Country Course and just before the St Andre Open. It’s
one of the best cross country site there is (Current site record is at 300+ Kms)
as it starts early with a South-East take off and is located 45 mns driving
south of St Andre in the pre-Alpes.

The Local Rules are based on a classical cross country cup such as the OLC with
triangles and OR flights having a better coefficient than free distances but we
also don’t want to penalize a pilot who would go for some crazy open distance if
the weather of the day calls for it!

We will take the decision to maintain or not the challenge depending on the
weather forecast 48H prior but like for the cross country Course, we are
contemplating report dates right after the St Andre Open, from the 18th to the
20th.

The following pictures are older as I have not been flying there myself for a
good couple years now but they give a good idea of the playing field and you can
see the take off here:
http://world-phoenix.blogspot.fr/2011/06/110626-tribe-bleyne.html.

View to the North (St Andre) of Col de Bleyne by Paolo

View to the South (Coast/Gourdon) of Col de Bleyne by Erick

Climbing at Col des Portes (Between Bleyne and St Andre) by Paolo

Although it’s not a comp, for logistics and legal reasons, the pilots who would
like to participate need to register on the website as the challenge is on the
official calendar of the federation:

http://delta.ffvl.fr/open_comps_registration_form/31/list

French info:
http://www.delta-club-82.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5244

For inquiries: <atout.vents> or
+33 624 557 369

3. St Andre Open (FAI Cat. 2): May 14th to 17th

The third edition of the St Andre Open will be held during the 4 day ascension
week end (Christian holiday). Over 60 international pilots last year and the
comp is now on the Swiss Team ‘calendar’ (since last year) to earn points for
their national championship.

The entry fee is 80 Euros and includes the usual (t shirt + diner party etc.)
but this year I hope to be able to add a few services such as shuttle to take
off, retrieve and lunch boxes at no extra cost. We are still working on it as I
am still waiting to hear back on a few things including from the head of the
comp commission regarding some help with the shuttles.

Finally, I am very happy to announce that this year we have 2 new partners:

Beodrinx. They are a Swiss organic and sugar free energy drink company and they
will provide us everyday with free drinks (niceT and Trezor) for the
participants and the staff: http://www.beodrinx.com/en /

Hotel Fly St-Andre. Owned and run by Mark, English native. His place has been
voted #1 by Trip Advisor for the St Andre area and he is used to accommodate
staffs and pilots for PG comps. We might do the diner party there as the place
is quite awesome!

Their FB: https://www.facebook.com/FlyStAndre  And their website:
www.FlyStAndre.com

Foreign pilots can register here where they will find all the information
regarding the comp, lodging, tourism etc.:
http://delta.ffvl.fr/open_comps_registration_form/21/list

The FB page of the event will be up and running soon but you only have another 3
weeks or so to register at the normal 80 Euros entry fee and it will cost you 20
Euros extra if you register after 1 week prior to the event. But as usual, the
sooner we know about how many pilots come, the better it is…

Results, Pictures etc from last year:
http://world-phoenix.blogspot.com/2014/05/apres-une-premiere-serie.html

From 2013:
http://world-phoenix.blogspot.fr/2013/05/130508-12-st-andre-open.html

For inquiries: <atout.vents> 
or +33 624 557 369

Again, by grouping these 3 events on 1 week and in the same area, the aim is to
gather a maximum of pilots and boost some emulation of which all pilots could
benefit while making the transportation worth it even for the pilots living the
furthest away. Gathering competition pilots and cross country pilots on the same
sites to fly some serious distances and show the path and share experience with
the rookies while at it.