Richard Westgate test flying the XC3 made 132km and 109km on his first flights! Richard says "I can realistically say that it is the best glider that i have ever flown. despite the high aspect ratio, launching is effortless and handling is incredible".  The glide is amazing and fast at trim speed (40kph), the speed bar is light and useable. The wing is so reassuring that within 30 minutes I was thermalling with one hand taking photos and gliding at 1/3 bar with my hands off the brake handles. If you are ever thinking of giving up paragliding give this wing a go and rediscover the dream!" Kitt Rudd also made 119km on his first flight and was similarly impressed. The Gradient-Wings team Congratulate the designers Ondrej Dupal and Vaclav Sykora  for this really superb high performance Avax XC3. Cheers! From Brad, Kitt and Richard.

Gradient's new EN-B Golden3 is a sweet flying machine. Improving on the G2 in performance the Golden3 is also easier to fly! Gradient aims at a wide range of pilots from ambitious newer pilots to experienced XC hounds who want high performance and easy flight control. 

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!

If there was an XC-league award for best value per kilometer it should shurely go to Philip Wallbank, currently 4th place overall in the league. Phill bought his Aspen(original) second hand from Snowdon Gliders last season for something of a bargain and is showing us all you don't need to spend a fortune to score well in the XC-league. Being a good pilot on a nice wing is enough, well done Phill !