Vicki Cain <<Vicki>>
writes:

Keeping the dream alive... Hang gliding competitions in Australia
have always had the reputation of the being more than herculean, Forbes
Flatlands 2019 held true to that reputation.

This year we were able to set 6 tasks from 8, one of which was stopped because
of a storm on course. The 5 completed tasks totalled 853.4 km averaging over 170
km per task! We had lots of pilots in goal most days.

With super consistent flying Jonny Durand took the competition win, his 8th
Forbes Flatlands win! Attila Bertok in 2nd and Olav Opsanger in 3rd.

L – R Back Petr Benes, Rohan Taylor, Filippo Oppici, Steve Blenkinsop, Ollie
Chitty, Guy Hubbard, Josh Woods

L-R Front: Attila Bertok, Jonny Durand, Olav Opsanger

Our Emma Martin Memorial award went to Yadi Wu from China. Yadi came to the
Sport Class competition with only 5 hours airtime and no cross country
experience. On her first flight she managed 35 kms and on her 2nd 61 kms!

We had 8 contestants in Sport Class this year with 2 new pilots to Forbes from
Indonesia. Bin Duan from China took the win with local pilot Alisdair Bramwell-Davis
only 2 points behind, in 2nd place and Peter Garrone another local pilot in 3rd.

L – R Peter Garrone, Bin Duan, Alaisdair Bramwell-Davis

Huge congratulations to all the winners!

Thank you to our major sponsors, Forbes Council, NSWHGPGA and Moyes Delta
Gliders and of course Bill and Molly Moyes, you’d have to say our Patrons of the
Forbes Flatlands Competition.

To all our crew, I can’t thank you enough. Everyone goes above and beyond,
travelling from afar to come to Forbes and to get all the pilots in the air as
quickly and as safely as possible. And having as much fun as we can! The
camaraderie is amazing!

Thank you to all the pilots coming from all over the world and all over
Australia. We hope you had the time of your lives!

Vicki Cain

On behalf of the Forbes Flatlands Hang Gliding Championships and the Sydney Hang
Gliding Club.

Photos credit to Peak Pictures.