6th September - First flight on my IP6

I LOVE IT!

5th September - Europeans Championship 2012

12 th FAI Paragliding Europeans Championship 2012 update as to today's events.
Sadly they are not tasking today. I'm sure everyone is frothing at the bit to get the competition underway and hopefully the sky will "play ball" in the latter part of this week moving forward.

Suunto t3d Noir Poli | Suunto

Suunto t3d Noir Poli | Suunto
This looks a great piece of kit to monitor one's personal training.
Definitely on my next "wish-list".

12th FAI Paragliding Europeans Championship 2012

Steve Senior and I were in St Andre les Alpes, France, yesterday for team registration, safety briefing and the opening ceremony of the 12th FAI European Paragliding Championships 2012. 

Team GB. From L-R: Russ Ogden, Jamie Messenger, Neil "Slapper" Roberts, Adam Hill, Steve "Serious" Senior, Adrian "Prof" Thomas, Emile Van Wyk, Kirsty Cameron, Tom Payne, John "Sonic" Stevenson

Emile Van Wyk, Steve Senior, Myself, Adam Hill, Sonic at the parade

Parade through St Andre town

The Team Belgium kit.

Luc Armant receiving instruction from the Italian Coach!

 Although the conditions were a little cold and windy due to the tail end of the mistral, spirits were high and very positive with a now confirmed team coached by Kitt Rudd.

GB Team Briefing

Blogs from various teams can be found below, but most importantly, our own team's blog, hot off the press from 400km south of here: 

Our own official blog can be found here:
Team GB blog
Usually updated daily by one or several members of the squad.




And below, known blogs from other participating european countries:
Team Portugal
Team Swiss
Team Italy
Team German

The opening video of the competition, which think is rather good, can be seen by clicking here:
Video European Championship 2012

Although the cut-off date for this year's GB Team selection mean't that I didn't make the squad on this occasion, I will be gunning for a team place next year. In the meantime, I'll be heading back down to St Andre next weekend to report live from the Team GB HQ and share the skies with the 150 participating pilots.

Enjoy!

1 Sept - Ownership negociations over my new IP6

Yesterday afternoon the long-awaited box arrived from Niviuk. Thank you :-)

I've been patiently waiting for the new production of the 21, and shipment arrived a week early.

My new glider, the IP6 21 Cloud.

The wing is very looooooooong!

Looks like I have some ownership competition going on here! :-)

My jack-russell terrier, Gin, thinks it's hers!

Neatly packed and folded with tissue paper between the lines. Lines loosely bundled and knotted with a bag to protect the risers. Rucksack, inner bag, strap, T-shirt, brand stickers, repair sheets, replacement mini maillon stoppers, and a cute metal box containing the Niviuk mini USB key.

The rucksack looks quite big, big enough to fit my Gin Genie race harness and flight deck.

Now all I need is for the rain to go away so I can go out and play!