32.881678,-111.854982,Francisco Grande, Casa Grande, Arizona,
USA

Ricker Goldsborough <<gci>>
writes:

This year's Santa Cruz Flats Race was packed full of surprises and
successes as well as a very long pilots list for the Flex Wing division. This
division included most all of our USA National team pilots as well as a few of
the top world pilots.

During this event the Cloudbase Foundation wanted to raise some money for our
approved projects. To assist in these fundraising efforts Jeff Shapiro, USA
World Team member, donated some KEEN shoes to be sold. Terry Cruthirds spent
many weeks making jewelry to be auctioned off during the event and then there
was Blueye - USA who donated three pair of sunglasses that were to be given out
to anyone donating $500.00 or more. However, the big surprise was when Terry
Cruthirds decided to put together a Calcutta event allowing all in attendance to
bid on teams with the understanding that 50% of the money raised would go to the
Cloudbase Foundation. This was a huge success and after everything was said and
done, the foundation raised over $2,000.00 during the Santa Cruz Flats Race.

During this years event a number of film crews could be seen throughout the
seven days of flying as well as quite a few spectators. Although at times it was
difficult to distinguish hang gliding spectators from golfers. This is due in
part to the fat that the event is held at a Golf Resort. We were truly spoiled
after having had flown all seven days, after being catered to at the on site
restaurant and bar, swimming in the huge swimming pool/hot tub and being allowed
to land at the hotel. That is for the pilots that had the skills to make it back
when the task allowed it.

So what about the conditions you might ask! Wonderful on all accounts. 10k MSL
start circles, 80+k tasks and long final glides. Lots of fun for sure!

If you have not attended this event I urge you to do so next year. The sunsets
and sunrises are breathtaking. We already mentioned the flying conditions but
the most important thing of all is the efforts that go into making these events
happen.

We must properly mention Jamie Sheldon and thank her for making sure that this
event was such a success. If it were not for her, the tug pilots, the ground
crew, the retrieval drivers, the manufacturers of our equipment and the
management of the facility that this event is held at each year, we would be
sitting at home watching TV. Right? NOT! But it is nice to count on this each
year. Make your plans now because it fills up fast.

Please visit the Cloudbase Foundation website at
www.thecbf.org and let us
know how you wish to help. Thank you for your support.