Richard Kocurek [http://ozreport.com/emailer.php?637269747465722061742063726573746564627574746520646s74206r6574] writes:

Ever so rarely an individual comes along that not only pushes the limits of our sport but actually redefines what is possible. This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend a little time with a pilot who has flown beyond the limits of the unimaginable.

When I first met Brad Sander in Brazil several seasons ago, he was an enthusiastic yet somewhat inexperienced pilot from Colorado. Things have changed. In June of this year, he managed to fly an incredible 140 miles across Pakistan. It's not only the distance that's impressive. Brad's maximum altitude was 25,400'. Solo. Without oxygen. He had originally planned to make the flight in two days yet conditions allowed him to complete the trip in nine hours. He capped off his little tour de force by landing next to the hotel where his friends were staying. How much bigger of a flight could there be? Flying 200 miles around and above Everest or K2 without oxygen? How about 300 miles?

Last year, Brad warmed up by circumnavigating the much and rightly feared Karakorum giant Trich Mir. As a peak steeped in mountaineering legend, climbing this monster is a highly respected feat. A few years ago who could have ever imagined flying around the entire massive in a single day on a paraglider?

What's more unusual about Brad is his low key, unassuming nature. In more than 18 years as a pilot and selling paragliding equipment I've certainly met quite a few characters. Most of them just wanted to fly. A few really thought they could achieve some type of fame and/or fortune by going big or at least create the impression of importance by constantly talking about themselves and themselves. I would categorize Brad as an "anti-hero" in today's overly saturated world of endless and pointless hype. He flies for the only reasons of any importance: for himself and his love of adventure.

I am nominating Brad Sander for the USHPA Presidential Citation. This is the highest award from USHPA and I encourage each and everyone else to do the same. It really is the least we can do as a community for someone who has created a new chapter in the story of our sport. You can submit the nomination to <email>.