Gary Osoba <<wosoba>>
writes:

This Sunday, January 13th, the New York Times will run a long
article (2 pages) on the Zapata World Record Encampment. Some of the history of
the event will be chronicled along with more of the outstanding World Record
flights flown last year by Dustin Martin and Johnny Durand. I just spoke with
Arthur Sulzberger, son of the Publisher and Chairman of the Times to obtain some
details. The article will appear as the front page story in the Sports Section
of the Sunday times, and will run in both the print edition and the online
version. Print copies can be obtained in the United States and some
international locations at many local Starbuck's locations, or possibly your
favorite bookstore.

This article continues the excellent coverage that the WRE has received in many
publications of international caliber. Although the policy of the NY Times
precludes releasing entire articles for review prior to publication, many of the
portions which I was able to review by phone sounded quite good in that they
should acquaint the public with hang gliding in general and the remarkable
flights that have been flown from the WRE. During its history, more world
records for hang gliders, paragliders, and sailplanes have been set from the WRE
than any other venue.

Last week, US climatological services released preliminary findings and
forecasting outlooks for 2013 in the US. Based upon this information and other
data I have been studying, it would appear that the 2013 season may be even
better than the conditions we experienced last year. This very well may be the
year that a human will break the 500 mile barrier in a flex wing. Indeed, on
Dustin and Johnny's record breaking flights last year, 500 miles would have been
possible as the conditions would have supported a launch time at least an hour
earlier than when they left. If the conditions this year prove to be better, as
forecasted, who knows how far pilots will be able to fly?

We are going to open registration for the event at this time, and depending upon
the level of interest may have an expanded level of participation available. We
plan to begin on June 20th, with the event running for a minimum of 2-3 weeks
and a maximum of 5 weeks, depending upon the weather and other factors. Much
planning remains but if you are inclined to attend, either for record attempts
or simply personal bests in distance, please contact me for more details. I will
be traveling to Middle America over road for the next several days but will have
email access once I stop traveling.

I had extensive conversation with Arthur, who is a paraglider
pilot, and have every hope that the article will be accurate and lauditory.