Bright Open 2005 18-25.02.05

This page doesn't attempt to provide a detailed information about the competition. Its purpose is to show a few interesting photographs from the great event. For more comprehensive details and results, visit the comp website or Skyhigh. If you don't mind a bit of gloating about Gradient, this could be your choice ;-).

Bright Open was the biggest competition organized in the cooperation of Skyhigh and the NE Hanggliding  Club so far. The enormous task of having a comp with more than 100 competitors was handled with an admirable professionalism. A number of volunteers from both clubs worked literally around the clock to make sure everything is 100% right. I'm not even attempting to name them - whatever I'd do, I would always miss somebody. You may recognize some of them in the picture below (Presentation Night) - others were still working on a variety of tasks associated with closing the comp. 

 

                                        some of the volunteers who helped to make the comp as good as it was

 

The competition was tough. Besides of the Aussie top guns - Fred Gungl, Rhett Rockman, Craig Collings, Enda Murphy and others, some excellent overseas pilots took part as well - Steve Ham and Claus Vischer for instance. A number of sponsors from within the paragliding industry and outside as well helped with the financial part of the comp and provided prizes for the winners.

 

                                                  the regular morning briefing in the Bright Tourist Centre

 

The weather was the only factor the organizers couldn't control. The first 2 days were not flyable due to rain and thunderstorms. Then a low inversion kept everybody close to the ground and the takeoff. But the last day compensated for all, with over 2000m cloudbase and lift just about everywhere.

 

                                                      Even the eagles couldn't get too high on Thursday...

 

                                 Much better on Saturday - Viv Williams is "cranking it" above Black Fellow Peak.

 

                                                       It became very busy there shortly afterwards.

 

                                    Antje Daehler and Zoltan Toth (?) gaining altitude for crossing to Clear Spot.

 

                                                 Patricia Eramirez watching the gaggle above launch.

 

                                                                               What a sight!

 

                                                   catching up with the gaggle shortly after takeoff

 

              Only the Goal Marshal used the shelter at Mt. Beauty airfield on Wednesday. Nobody made the goal.

 

                                                                             bit too close for my liking...