Cross Country Open 27 - 31 December 2008

New Zealand Nationals (FAI Cat 2) 2 - 10 January 2009

This is the sixth year of the Wanaka Paragliding Festival.

The format of the Festival has changed from year to year but the underlying motivation has remained the same.

The Festival is designed to promote new participants into the arts surrounding performance flying, renewing friendships and yet still provide world class activities for the competitive and/or experienced pilot.

As in past years we expect the regulars from overseas and within New Zealand to return to provide their wisdom to the less experienced newcomers.

Designed to embrace the spirit of friendship and learning between pilots from many countries, backgrounds and ability ranges, the Festival also serves as an important competition within the New Zealand circuit.

With relatively unrestricted airspace, a sunny climate and thermic alpine conditions, Wanaka is arguably the most scenic and best place to free fly in New Zealand.

This year the Festival is divided into two distinct events.

Firstly - The Cross Country Open with its focus on mentoring pilots will be an informal free flying event, where the pilot may choose their own takeoff time, site and route. (Possible to have more than one flight per day). This will allow low airtime pilots and those wishing an introduction to thermal flying the chance to gain experience and receive valuable insights from the more experienced amongst our sport. It is a competition where points are earned for kilometers flown in either a straight line, out and back, or a triangle. Your results can be added to the New Zealand XC Ladder. Past open distances have exceed 130 kms during this period. If requested by a pilot a mentor will be assigned on a 1:1 or 1:2 basis to provide answers to the questions, and to provide local knowledge and insights into the likely sites and routes that may be used. Seminars and forums will be held covering items such as - mountain flying, weather, competition tactics, instruments, rules etc. Verification is by honesty but if you wish flights to be lodged in the NZ XC Ladder, then a 3D track log is required. Each day the morning briefing will discuss weather forecasts, the previous days performances and other matters that may influence our air activities and non flying time in Wanaka.

Secondly - The New Zealand Nationals a FAI category 2 sanctioned competition. As the name implies experienced international and local pilots will be attending yet provision is made for, and encouragement given to, first time entrants.