UHPC

UHPC 2014 XC ULSTER OPEN COMPETITION

THAT WAS THE ULSTER OPEN 2014 THAT WAS!

SECOND CHANCE TO WIN THE FREE HOLIDAY

Flying on Saturday 24th May was scrubbed in advance due to the forecast and the comp entrants met on Saturday evening at the Kilcronaghan Centre for a meal, drink and some craic and entertainment by club members with skills other than paragliding or hang gliding.  It was good to see the contingent from our neighbours 'down south'.

Sunday dawned with low cloud sitting on the hill and wall to wall cloud cover.  The RASP however offered some encouragement if we could just get a few holes in the cloud cover. 

After briefing and parawaiting for hours on the top of Slieve Gallion the cloud lifted sufficiently to allow flying but with cloudbase only 100ft above the top of the hill options were severely limited.  To increase the chances of participants registering some flights in the difficult  conditions the usual minimum 5km open distance requirement was reduced to 2km and the 'window' opened.  Some very creditable attempts were made at flying well out in front and using the weak cloud suck to remain airborne but as time moved on conditions became lighter and most people were scratching and practicing their slope landings.

With one minute to go to the window close time and with a very dark cloud with following squall line approaching slightly off to one side of the hill, our club treasurer headed off in final desperation to see what 'suck' he could find beneath this.  Not really connectiing he flew an extended glide straight out and made 2.1km!!!  The only qualifying flight of the day, the winner of the comp and flying a B wing.

Maurice has been flying for many years and is an experienced XC pilot, he is both delighted and slightly embarrased to win the comp with such a short flight, but rules are rules and everyone had the same opportunity. Well done Maurice!

Although very grateful for the prize, Maurice feels somewhat guilty and has declined to accept the fly-guide holiday. As a result, with sponsor agreement, the prize is being held over for pilots to compete for later. Details as above.

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FREE FLY-GUIDE HOLIDAY TO BE WON

UHPC 2014 XC Ulster Open
Sat 24th and Sun 25h May

Format: Historically this informal XC (cross country) competition has been a straightforward open distance goal for both hang gliders and paragliders. However, weather permitting, the exact format will be decided by the Meet Director at morning briefing. Competitors should acquaint themselves with the UHPC XC rules, viewable on the club website’s XC League page.

Location: The competition base is again the Kilcronaghan Activity Centre near the village of Tobermore in County Londonderry / Derry. Visit www.kilcronaghan.co.uk for directions. Many of the club’s most popular and frequently used sites are within a half hour’s drive of the centre but, as usual, the weather will dictate which local sites are suitable.
Sharing overnight accommodation is available at the Centre for the very modest cost of only £18/night for up to nearly 50 participants/partners/friends. This will be allocated on a first come first served basis and requests should be directed to the club Chairman ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), please do not leave this to the last minute. If all on-site accommodation is taken, efforts will be made to find other ‘local’ accommodation, please contact one of the Ulster Open committee (see below).

Catering for Saturday’s evening meal and Sunday’s breakfast is included in the entrance fee at the Kilcronaghan Centre.

Qualification/insurance: Minimum BHPA Club Pilot rating and insurance is required, or equivalent. Evidence will be requested/required during registration on the first morning of the comp.

Payment: Entrance fee is £15 or €20 Euro if received by the treasurer BEFORE Sunday May 11th
and £20 or €25 AFTER for each competing pilot, payable by one of the following methods:

* Sterling cheque (in advance) made payable to UHPC, and posted to M.McBride (treasurer), 61Marina Park, Belfast, BT5 6BA. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
*Credit transfer to the UHPC bank account 98 01 50 03553055 Please describe your payment as [“Your Name” 2014 Open].
*Paypal account: There is a paypal button on the 1st page of the club website. (Note: entrants are responsible for paying paypal fees, please select appropriate options before transferring fee as only fully paid-up entrants will be eligible for prizes). http://www.uhpc.co.uk/
*Cash (only), on the first day of competition, prior to the morning briefing.

No refunds will be possible. Every effort will be made to run the competition on the above dates, however entrants will be aware that our sport is weather dependent. If a day proves not to be flyable, even on the dunes, then there are options to watch the Motocross racing at the track right next door, go mountain biking on the excellent Davagh Forest mountain trails or surfing in the Atlantic. Just bring whatever kit you might need. The decisions of the meet director and/or
comp safety committee will be final.

Visiting pilots from UK mainland should contact one of the Ulster Open committee (see below) if requiring assistance with travel arrangements, accommodation, or general information.

Prizes: all prize winners will in addition receive a ‘shield’ with their name engraved on, i.e.:

• Paragliders: 1st , 2nd , 3rd
• Hang gliders: 1st only (it’s not fair that every entrant gets a prize!)
• Best Novice

In addition, our sponsors, including Simon Murphy's Flying Circus and Independence Gliders have provided a number of prizes which will be raffled on the Saturday evening. The biggest single prize is from our long time sponsor FlySpain who are offering a free week’s guided flying holiday in Algodonales to the best performance on an EN ‘A’ or ‘B’ paraglider!!

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UHPC ULSTER OPEN 2014 (24 & 25 May)
ENTRY FORM

Name and Initials: ................... ...................................
Address:............................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Post Code: ………………………………….. ............................eMail ..........................................................................
Tel. No. ( mobile )............................................ (Home):.......................................................................................
Next of Kin contact details. Name....................................................... Tel. No. ...................................................
1.My Pilot Rating is: ...............................................................

2.Glider: Make,Model and class: ..............................................................................................................................

3.My BHPA membership No. is: ………………………………

4. Non BHPA members alternate insurance details: (minimum cover required = £2 million 3rd Party liability):

Insurance Providers Name: ……………………………………… Policy Number: ………………….

5. Club membership info: UHPC: Yes / No IHPA: Yes / No OTHER CLUB: .........................................................

• I accept that paragliding is a sport involving potential risks and that flying in a competition involves some additional risks including but not limited to crowded air space and pre-set flying routes.
• I accept that each and every time I fly I do so by my own choice and that I have the final say in the route I choose to fly.
• I agree to obey the rules of this competition and comply with the instructions of its officials. I accept that the rules of this competition have been made available for me to read.
• I accept that the competition rules do not in any way supercede normal Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and any other relevant rules regarding my activities during the competition.
• I accept that it is my responsibility to ensure that both myself and my equipment are fit to fly and that my equipment is compatible with competition requirements.
• I accept that it is my responsibility to perform thorough pre-flight checks prior to each and every flight.
• I accept that it is my responsibility to fly within the limitations of my equipment and my personal skill level/competence.
• In all cases including accident or death, I release the organisers of this competition from any liability whatsoever.

Date:................................... Signature: …………………………………………………….

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