Mark Dowsett ()
writes:

The Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada has just
sanctioned the Canadian Hang Gliding Nationals to be in Lumby, BC.


After a one year hiatus from the National Championships being hosted in Lumby,
BC, the event is returning to the area. Lumby was the host city of the Hang
Gliding Nationals for five of the last seven years showing that it is a
desirable area to host the competition which is the most prestigious event in
this sport in Canada.


Hang glider pilots from coast-to-coast and from all over the US will flock to
Lumby in search of the Canadian National Championships. The winner is crowned
after six daily rounds are flown where competitors will launch from the various
mountainside launches and race around a series of pre-determined turn points and
usually back into Lumby where the finish line is normally located. The longest
task to date at the Lumby Nationals has been over 110km in length and tasks
often take up to three hours in duration and launches are used in Lumby, Vernon
and as far away as Mara Lake - always taking the pilots back to Lumby as the
goal.


The Lumby valley is ideal for this sort of racing as the dry climate and amount
of heat that time of year bring great conditions where thermal updrafts safely
take competitors to well over 12,000' above the ground. There are many places in
North America that these altitudes can be attained but the valleys in the area
are very friendly offering abnormally light winds and numerous places to land
should pilots not be able to make the designated goal.


Here's what Randy Rauck, president of the Lumby Air Force has to say: "Its great
to see the Canadian Hang Gliding Championships back in Lumby, BC during Lumby
Days. The Lumby AirForce started hosting hang gliding competitions in 1976 and
they have always been a great addition to the Lumby Days excitement. With the
new launch being created at the top of Coopers mountain, a longer, safer launch
area for pilots to launch will be available this year. Also more gliders will be
able to be set up at once and it will be safer for spectators. The target is 100
gliders set-up at a time so that more competition flying will be attracted to
the community."


You will be able to follow daily reports of this event and many others at
http://events.dowsett.ca
and watch animated track logs of past competitions at
http://events.dowsett.ca/results


Enquiries on the event can be made to Mark Dowsett, the event organizer at
604-630-8545 -


Register at:
http://events.dowsett.ca/2007/cdnhgnats/reg


Schedule:


Sat June 2nd - registration and practice day

Sun June 3-8th - official competition rounds

Sat June 9th - possible extra round should we require it to meet sanctioning
requirements


* * awards will be handed out on the traditional barn party the night of Sat the
9th at Randy Rauck's place


* * stay for the Lumby Air Races that are taking place that weekend (8th-10th)
in conjunction with Lumby Days