FLATTER THAN THE FLATLANDS 1998 SUMMARY

by jorj adamson

There are not a lot of reasons your average person would choose to spend their Easter break in the small, flat and sleepy farming town of Birchip in Victoria’s North West. For a hang glider pilot, however, there is one fantastic reason - the “Flatter than the Flatlands” Hang Gliding Competition.

This competition, now in its sixth year, is a wonderful first step into the competition circuit. A GPS is definitely an optional extra, you get penalised if you use a databack camera (there are no turn points or start gates) and at only $50 entry fee, there’s nothing to lose. There is no better opportunity to fly with and learn from so many other pilots with such a huge pool of experience.

Some treated this comp. as a big fly-in whilst others took the opportunity to go head to head with their peers in a serious attempt to discover who is the best. All had a ball and every entrant and driver really did win a prize. Granted, some of the prizes, like the very attractive gorilla slippers you would not actually want to win, however, others, like the Danny Scott flying suit, were definitely worth battling for.

Birchip is well known for its fantastic flying conditions but unfortunately at this years competition only two out of the four days were flyable.

Friday saw 14 pilots out of a field of 53 make it into goal on an 85.5km task to Manangatang in a light southerly. Alan Beavis, Brent Telford and Trevor Sangster were the first pilots in with times of 154.5, 156 and 163 minutes respectively.

Close to nil winds in the tow paddock made landings interesting so at least those who had difficulty leaving the paddock were entertained by some amusing “arrivals” by surrounding pilots.

Saturday provided another opportunity to practice near nil wind launches and landings, this time with a light NNW breeze. Mild dust devils and farmers burning off stubble in their paddocks provided good thermal indicators, as did the multitude of pilots along the 55km course line to the huge metropolis of Litchfield ( OK so it’s a silo). Eighteen pilots made it with Tony Lowrey (132 minutes), Colin Macrae (134 minutes) and George Kambas, Ian Reece and Marlies Eicher all coming equal third in a time of 137 minutes. A special mention must be made of Trevor Sangster who, after complaining that the task was too short in the tow paddock, landed 1km short of goal!

Rain on Sunday prevented us from flying but enabled those willing to show their prowess at Volleyball, Basketball or Table Tennis in the Birchip School Gymnasium. It’s true, the only injuries sustained over the competition occurred at the stadium (fingers, egos etc). As they say, “Damn dangerous sport that volleyball”.

Sunday night was the inaugural free grog and video night. Wallace and Gromit’s “A Close Shave” provided an excellent warm up to the main feature: “Twister”, which illustrated just how mild Australia’s dust devils really are!

It was strong gusty winds that cancelled Mondays flying. Surprisingly the paddock was dry as a bone despite an inch of rain (the first in 4 months) the day before. Flexible Volunteers from the CFA enabled organisers to bring the CFA BBQ and presentation forward so everyone could hit the road earlier than normal.

Congratulations to the following pilots who won places and especially Tony Lowrey who although entered in B-Grade, actually beat the A-Grade pilots too. A fantastic effort.

Open

1 Tony Lowrey 1901

2 Brent Telford 1840

3 George Kambas 1807

B Grade

1 Tony Lowrey 1901

2 Either Eicher 1729

3 Peter Davies 1690

C Grade

1 Gavin Nicholls 1195

2 Derek Robinson 1177

3 Phillip Cambell 1154

Thanks must go to South Australia for allowing us to kick their butts again this year in the inaugural Vic/Sa challenge. Now if we can just get the AFL Cup as well….

Congratulations are in order for those pilots who achieved personal bests or made goal for the first time. There were some VERY happy people at goal again this year.

Of course, an event like this doesn’t just happen. It takes a great deal of time and effort and in this competition all of the organisers and officials give their time for free (that’s why it’s such a low entry fee). Special thanks to Warwick “Guru” Duncan - Comp. Director extraordinaire (to illustrate just how relaxed this competition is , Warwick is able to fly in it himself). Thanks also to Alan (Beavo) Beavis who must do a lot of admin. for the event just because he happens to flat with Warwick. Beavo is also a one man weather bureau and task committee during the comp. Thanks to Wes Hill for finding time between drinking Strongbows to do the scoring, Carol Binder and Barrel Girl Nicky for their help, the Birchip Lions Club and CFA who, without there generosity the competition would definitely not happen, Ian and Ann Mc Clelland for once again allowing us free reign over their prime real estate, Mick Hogan for the use of the back room of the Birchip Hotel, Don Rottman and Peter Lissenberg for creating, in a couple of days, the best T-Shirts of the season, our generous sponsors Dynamic Flight, Aussie Skins, Moyes Gliders and Airborne, and of course, all of the drivers who always give so much.

To say this competition is popular is an understatement. Our team received four phone calls from desperate pilot trying to plead/ beg/ bribe their way into our team.

Places are limited so you’ll need to be quick when entries open in December 1998 for next year’s competition.

Article by Jorj Adamson