When something needs fixing, a toolbox helps. This is my toolbox where I store information I like to read through before a comptition or when my flying is a little off. I am usually an intuitive pilot, but in 2010 I am trying something new.  I am choosing to experience what it is to be a competition pilot. 

In 2011 the Paragliding World Championships will be held in Piedrahita Spain.  Piedrahita is one of my favourite sites and if I am ever going to try out for the Springbok Team, this is the moment.  Traditional Competition flying is very different to long distance flying.  I have a lot to learn and a year to do it in.

Giving myself as much competition experience as possible, I look forward to learning to fly faster and more efficiently and to make tactical decisions.  This, I believe, will help me achieve my long distance goals.  By using the 2011 'Worlds' as a short term goal, I give myself focus.

International competitions (other than XC Open World Series) 

2010 Corryong - Coming Up
2010 Bright Open - Coming Up
2010 NSW Hang Gliding State Titles
2009 Killarney Classic
2008 German Open  
2007 Czech Open

There is also information about competitions I followed from a distance

CLICK ON THE SA flag to read about South African Competitions

For 2009 - Click on the links below
SAPC - 1st Round - Thabazimbi          10 - 18 April 2009
SAPC - 2nd Round - Barberton            14 - 20 June 2009
         CAT 2 - Gradient XC Africa De Aar       14 - 21 November 2009
CAT 2 & SAPC - 3rd Round - Winelands PG Open Pampoenfontein, Porterville 13 - 19 December 2009

This category is now archived. Leonardo provided an awesome platform to promote flying achievements and tourism in our country, but with Greg Hamerton and I no longer driving this initiative in SA, it died a sudden death in January 2008.  Cross Country pilots like myself enjoyed keeping track of what flights were flown where.  It inspired us to fly more and further and brought many overseas pilots to our country to experience flying in South Africa.
Thank you to the Leonardo developers. They continue to do a great job incorporating more and more databases around the world into their system.

FLYGIRL did NOT cover the 2008 Pre-PWC in Porterville due to the banning by organiser Rob Manzoni.
Reason: Personal disputes in 2007 between Gaynor Schoeman and Rob Manzoni.
Process: Despite asking SAHPA to mediate, who in turn approached FAI and CIVL, resulting in an official investigation and SAHPA Ruling in Flygirl's favour, SAHPA found itself unable to enforce its ruling with the competition organiser. 
Result: I withdrew my entry to stop the war that was threatening to polarise our community and was penalised on the National Rankings through not being able to compete on a fair basis.  This is abuse of an organisers position. All allegations are stored here. Please keep in mind that these are Rob's words.  They are not the same as the truth.  I have not offered public defence.  There was no need to defend myself. 

UPDATE 30 July 2009:  Regarding ongoing disputes with the organiser of the All Africa Open, Rob Manzoni, SAHPA has made the following ruling which will apply to all paragliding competitions in South Africa.  This ruling is in line with AeroClubs signature motto : Yours in Preserving Free Flight!
Sanctioning of competitions at Dasklip,Porterville.pdf