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NEWS: Adventures in Scotland |
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Scotland has seen some good flying lately. On 5th May Julian Robinson on his Aspen2 made a 109km flight across the remote and beautiful Western Highlands of Scotland. Several pilots have called Gradient-Wings to express their congratulations to Julian for having made such a great flight. Very few long flights have been made in this region where a mistake could mean a very long walk out or a difficult rescue! Well done Julian, it must have been a great days flying! 
Congtatulations are also in order for Paul Myerscough, 2nd place in the X-Scotia that took place over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of May. Paul used a lightweight harness but a standard Aspen2 to get round the course. The challenge was a 62km task around three Scottish Mountains in a 36 hour window. The weather didn't allow as much flying as hoped, so for most competitors it was a series of glides with lots of walking in between. It did however provide some incredible performances. Paul Myerscough came home second in 15hrs 44 minutes (only 2 minutes behind the winner). Paul was flying on his Aspen2 which well as being lovely to fly, is often the choice of sport flyers because of its lighter weight, lower pack volume and easy launch as compared to some other designs in this category of wing. |
The British Nationals came to a close at St Jean de Montclar after 9 hard fought tasks (4 of them from Piedrahita) Gradient pilots Toby Colombe (Aspen 3 in the piedrahita round & Avax XC2 in the St Jean round), Julian Robinson and Cris Miles (both Avax XC2) filled the podium for the Sports Class, with Cris Miles also taking the Newcomers Trophy. Special mention should be given to Toby Colombe finishing 10th overall and taking second place in the Serial Class also!
Toby Colombe had a really good run in Piedrahita in the British Championship's 2nd round at the end of June. Toby flew consistently at a very high standard to win the Sports and Serial Class on his Aspen3. Toby said he was particularly impressed with the easy speed bar on the Aspen3 and the glider's good behaviour in the strong conditions. Gradient gliders took 8 of the top 10 places in the Sports Class in this round of the British Championsips. What a result!
Julian Robinson is again leading the British XC League on his Avax XC2.
This year Julian has added to his collection of flights in the remote
Scottish Highlands with a 108km trip from Sgurr an Fhuarain Duibh in
the West Highlands and a 69km flight from Ledmore to Alness.
Gradient-Wings would also like to mention Dave Thompson of
BorderCrossings.co.uk for winning the UK winter XCleague 2009. Dave
flew nearly 300 km in six flights bewtween November 08 and March 09 on
his XC2 24. Cheers Dave!
Julian Robinson (Avax XC2) takes Best Newcomer and overall Winner of the Sports Class trophies of the British Paragliding Championships 2008! The conditions in the St Andre round were strong and pilots had to make careful decisions flying over the mountainous terrain. Congratulations Julian! 
