Monte Cucco

Umbria

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Tim Hudson

Sadly after such a spectacular day on Tuesday, yesterday was yet another wet day, with no competition flying.

The British Team have been moved to 5th behind Japan, as the results from the second task have been updated. However, we are only 27 points behind the Japanese and 366 points behind the Austrian Team. If the weather improves enough to allow another task, we do stand a good chance of getting a podium place. The team are flying better with every day of competition. The overall results (provisional) can be found here

The weather forecast is not encouraging unfortunately, but the competition organisers are keeping a positive outlook, and looking to take every opportunity to get another Task completed before the end of the competition on Saturday.

The photograph is taken by U.S. pilots Jeff O’Brien and is looking down on Monte Cucco, South West Launch.

Finally, a good day for the World Hang Gliding Championships at Sigillo, Italy. After so much bad weather, yesterday produced a fantastic days competition. Certainly the glide into goal by the world’s top pilots produced one of the most spectacular competition finishes yet seen in Hang Gliding.

The task was a 110 km course around the valley in front of Monte Cucco. The competition task setters called it just right, because there was always a danger of over development in the valley. But the majority of the field – in fact 81 pilots, made it in to goal just before the rain set in.

In a nail biting finish, Italy’s top two pilots, Alexander Ploner and Christen Ciech arrived within 1 second of each other, after 110 km’s of flying. The crowd in the Landing field could hardly believe it as the two pilots appeared 300 meters out, about 10 meters above the ground, racing into the goal field. Behind them, like a squadron, another 23 pilots could be seen, but they arrived 6 minutes later. It was an incredible sight, they were all within 1 minute of each other and hot on their wings, more pilots could be seen, racing to the finish.

British pilots, Gary Wirdnam, Dave Mathews, Carl Walbank, Bruce Kavagnagh, Gordon Rigg, Grant Crossingham and Tony Stephens all making it to goal. In the provisional results available, Gary is the top British Pilot in 18th place and the team is in 4th place overall, behind the Italian’s with a commanding lead followed by the French and Austrian Teams. The forecast is not good for the next two days, but Friday looks promising. We are all hoping that the forecasters will be wrong and that we will see more of the fantastic flying demonstrated today by these pilots at the peak of their sport.

Ciar spa, the official sponsors of the British Hang Gliding Team, have provided a massage chair using their patented design, and which is situated at the Dominus Hotel in Sigillo. No doubt this will be in great demand after the rigours of today’s flying.

I wish you could have been there!

The weather forecast proved to be correct and there has been no further flying for the Pilots at the World Hang Gliding Championships. The competition organisers took everyone to the North Take off at Monte Cucco, but the cloud was below the top of the mountain, as you can see from the photograph, of pilots Gary Wirdnam and Grant Crossingham, already at Cloudbase!

The weather really does look better for Tuesday 26th July.

Sadly, another cancelled day due to thunderstorms. The British Team had a team de-brief and then some members of the team went cycling around the local tracks surrounding Monte Cucco. Once the pilots GPS results had been downloaded from yesterday’s task, a number of pilots had their scores marked to zero, for air space infringement. This did not affect any of the British Team. The photograph shows the course the pilots flew.

Unfortunately the weather forecast does not look promising for the next few days, but we shall keep our fingers crossed.

After a few frustrating days due to poor weather, the first task of the Worlds, got underway yesterday July 22nd. The competition moved to Monte Subasio, a spectacular mountain and national park above Assisi, making it one the most beautiful sites in Europe to fly. Winds were strong and thermals a little broken. The competition directors set an ambitious task for the conditions, of a circuit of 118km around the valley. First home was Slovenian Pilot PRIMOŽ GRIČAR in a time of 3hours 26 minutes. Britain’s Grant Crossingham – (pictured - in the goal landing field) was the first Britain home, unfortunately he had missed a turn pint sector by only 100 metres, which pushed him down to 32nd place. As the wind increased in the goal landing field, Britain’s Team Manager Pete Coad could be heard radioing to the two remaining British Pilots in the air. At that time only 21 pilots of the original 140 pilots had made the course, and with only 10 minutes to the 7pm close of the task, British pilots Dave Matthews and Gary Wirdman reported that they were only their way to the goal field, battling strong headwinds. Dave arrived over the field with 5 minutes to spare and Gary was just behind him, with just 2 minutes before the task “window” closed. It was a fantastic moment for the British Team and their sponsor CIAR spa, which had a representative in the field to watch the pilots arrive. This put Dave and Gary at joint 20th place. They had been in the air for over 5 hours in testing conditions. Other team members also flew well, landing just short of goal, the full provisional results can be found here. The weather forecast for Saturday, gives similar conditions, so probably no time for the pilots to relax and recuperate.

There has been no flying for the first two days of the World Championships as predicted, due to strong winds. Pilots have had a chance to relax and take in some of the fantastic scenery and wonderful culture in the area. Visiting many of the small towns, such as Gubbio and also Urbino, which is close to Ciar Headquarters in Pesaro.

The competition weatherman Alberto Sabbadini is more positive about a competition task being achieved on Thursday 21st July

Think about this for a moment . . . “in the current economic climate should your business a) diversify b) specialise c) niether?”

Given what we are experiencing on the UK’s high street, seeing the above question on the Cabinet Maker website recently, would certainly make you think! How should you approach this question for your business?

After some debate, you may well come up with the answer - diversify and specialise, do both!

But doesn’t this feel incomplete? How about adding ‘incremental’ for more balance!

Incremental - Diversify - Specialise

Look up the definition of these words for yourself and you will find this sort of thing . . .

Diversify - enlarge or vary its range of products or field of operation

Specialise - ...concentrate on and become expert in a particular subject or skill

Incremental - a small positive or negative change in a variable quantity or function

Inspiration to diversify incrementally is everywhere - did you notice the new ‘Wellbeing’ section at NAIDEX this year? What inspired that? Why did 11 companies choose to sign up to this new initiative?

“Wellbeing” is a huge and well established market in Europe, a sector populated by a diverse range of manufacturers and products. You’re probably thinking spas, saunas etc. and you would be right, but take a little look beyond.

‘Wellbeing’ is allied to healthcare, but takes a more pro-active approach. Seating and posture which feature so highly in healthcare are central to wellbeing too - make sure your office chair, car seat, bed and armchair are all good for your posture! For those many companies involved in the healthcare and motion furniture seating industry, there is good incremental cross over into ‘wellbeing’.

In these ‘austere’ times, your end users are being more careful with their cash, yet at the same time research reveals that your customers will treat themselves in the comfort of their own home to your relax and recliner products!

Wellbeing - an incremental step in to an allied yet diverse and specialised market thats growing!

© 2011 Written for THiiS Blog by J Timothy Hudson.

The Opening Ceremony of the World Hang Gliding Championships was held last in the central Piazza in Sigillo. This will be the last chance the pilots get to relax before the competition gets underway properly; weather permitting on Tuesday 19th July.

The British Team and support crew proudly wore their Team shirts, provided by Ciar spa during the ceremony.

Controversy clouded the first two days, as the Meet Director and safety officials carried out helmet inspections in compliance with CIVL (Commission Internationale de Vol Libre, the sport’s governing body) rules. Pilots often have to slightly modify their helmets to mount radio headsets for example. At this moment rumours abound regarding pilots refusing to compete unless they are permitted to fly with their existing helmets. Other pilots have purchased new helmets in order to comply. Obviously, at this level in any sport, having to compete with equipment that you are not familiar with can make a difference to how competitors perform. Hopefully this issue will be resolved before the first official scoring day on Tuesday 19th July.

All of the 164 pilots and Team Managers have arrived at competition head quarters in Sigillo, Umbria. The best Pilots in the world are assembled for what is set to be one of the most exciting World Championships yet. Former world Champions taking part in the competition, include Austrian Manfred Ruhmer, Hungarian pilot, Attila Bertock and Italian Alex Ploner 2009, current title holder.

The British Team members had a good practice session on Saturday July 16th, despite windy conditions on the ridge. Thermal strength was not particularly strong, but the whole of the Gubbio valley area was providing good lift. Most pilots flying good distances, and all landing back at the official landing field close to competition head quarters. British Team Manager; Pete Coad said that the team are flying well and looking forward to the competition.

The Official Opening Ceremony will be held on Sunday July 17th.

The British Team have all arrived in Sigillo, Umbria and were all present yesterday at the official start of the competition.

Early arrivals have found good weather for practice sessions, although it was a little windy in the middle of the day on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures for the coming week are forecast to be high but the possibility of storms on Tuesday may present challenges for the competitors.

The photograph shows competition official checking gliders on Friday. All pilots competing in World and European championships have their gliders inspected. A major part of this process is to measure the Gliders “sprogs” Sprogs are wire braced struts enclosed in the sail that support the outboard trailing edge on high performance flexwing hang gliders to maintain the washout (twist) in the wing. This washout is essential in order to provide pitch stability, There is a trade-off between stability and performance, with lower settings improving glide performance but reducing pitch stability. Officials ensure that the settings are not set too low. Pilots helmets are also checked as part of this safety process. Pilots are also issued with tracking units; when the pilot has landed, they must activate the unit to let the competition organisers know they have landed safely. The units also have an alert system that the pilot can use to request help.

Yesterday also saw the regular ‘celebration’ and opening ceremonies.

Many of you share a keen interest in adventure sports - from car racing to skiing & micro lighting to para-gliding! So, when we were offered the opportunity to sponsor the British Hang Gliding Team at the 2011 World Hang Gliding Championships, near to CIAR’s head office in Italy, we could hardly say no!

“There are some opportunities you just can’t miss!” said Egidio Marcantoni, CEO, CIAR S.p.A. “We are an Italian company close to Monte Cucco, and we decided to offer our support to the British Team and to share with experience with our UK customers - a great opportunity for CIAR.”

“We also hope to play a small role in practically helping the team - we are providing the Team with two of our unique relax recliner chairs mechanisms, fitted with ‘active shiatsu massage’ systems to help them relax after each days competition” said Sig. Marcantoni.

To promote the event in the UK, we is working closely with ‘Cabinet Maker’ the UK’s leading interiors magazine, to help bring you daily competition news including scores, photos and we hope to bring you some dynamic, on board pilot videos, so you can fly with the British Team!

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this experience to our customers and support British Sport at the highest level”, said Sig. Marcantoni, [we think is an Italian joke!] “and we wish the British Team every possible success.”

And success is a very real probability. The Brit’s won the 2007 World Team Gold in the US and two of this years team were at the Monte Cucco World Championships in 1999 when the team won Silver!

The competition takes place from 16th to 30th July and is being held near CIAR offices at Monte Cucco, Umbria in Italy. You can find a daily competition update on this site including the top three overall positions, all British pilot scores, anecdotes from the previous days competition, photos and video all available for you on the CIAR BLOG!

Meet the British Team ‘Click Here’