Bassano del Grappa

Josh Waldrop Pics

Josh Waldrop took these two shots that I really dig, one of me and my UP Targa 3 :) and one of the monarcas. Awesome!

2008 Pre-Worlds, Valle de Bravo

Above Team USA discusses the days task. As usual the weather was awesome in Valle and we flew every day of both competitions. Below, Martin and Andy unload their wings from a ride they caught on the last task.

Monarca Paragliding Open, Valle de Bravo, Mexico

I just departed SFO en-route to MEX for the Monarca Paragliding Open and the Pre-Worlds, both taking place at El Peñon, Valle de Bravo.



Alas, the local paragliding school in Valle, acquired two Pinzgauers. Ken from Chelan showed the staff how to operate these amazing vehicles and also drove for the competition. Huge inflatable Corona bottles stood guard outside of HQ... ahhh, Mexico.



Congrats to Michael Von Wachter, Venezuela: 1st; Eric Reed, USA: 2nd; Matt Beechinor, USA: 3rd for the 2008 Monarca.

Venezia

We've had 2 tasks and then the weather made a turn for the worse. Now every evening rain socks in and in the early AM powerful thunderstorms roll through the village, thunder and lightening rattling our existence.






A group of us, including our team, 'The Loose Association of Pan Pacific Pilots', venture to Venezia for an exploration on the first weather day. The team consists of James and Che from Oz, Harmony from New Zealand, and myself. Wooters from Oz and Glen from NZ also joined us for the adventure, and as we departed the train we joined up with Regula and Connie from Switzerland.









Rafael from Brasil and myself on a hike above launch. Below, Thomas Brauner speaks about the day's task.

Oregon....California....Europe

The US Paragliding Nationals in Lakeview, Oregon are over. Due to high winds we ended up flying just 3 tasks, but this allowed exploration of the area which was surprisingly beautiful. One trip took us to the wonderful Indian Springs hot springs. Below are some lakes that surround Hart Mountain, near a massive national antelope reserve.



Frank Brown from Brasil placed first, and Dean Stratton placed 2nd and is the new US Champion. After the awards and dinner we danced into the night to the awesome bluegrass of the Blue Mountain Ramblers. Cheers to whoever started the massage train...


It's fantastically interesting how the past repeats itself. My first night in Lakeview I exploded an egg in the microwave trying to boil it in a glass of water. Arriving home hungry late after the closing party I had the brilliant idea of trying it again. This time I had a strategy strategy; I would cycle the microwave off, with the idea that any excess pressure building up inside the egg would dissipate during the off cycle, never rising above boiling. After a couple cycles of 30s on 30s off I thought everything was golden, but then as I was reaching for the microwave to cycle it off there was a gigantic explosion, as both eggs now coated every possible surface within the microwave.


I depart for Europe in a few hours, next update from Italy!

2007 US Nats in Lakeview

Today is day 6 of the US Paragliding Nationals in Lakeview, OR. We've had 3 tasks so far, one being the longest paragliding task in US history, 145km (90 miles). Today is blown out, as was yesterday, but we are hopeful for tomorrow, as the forecast looks good. Below is Cottonwood Lake, a beautiful place to swim, hike and picnic.

2007 Rat Race

Rat Race 2007 was awesome! We flew 6 tasks and except for one I made goal everyday, finishing 14th overall. Pilots from around the country and a few from abroad gathered in Ruch this week for some amazing flying.


Check out the results at www.mphsports.com