Information
We will be running the 2012 Open Distance National Championship as a mentoring competition. Each day will consist of a discussion lead by a mentor. There will be an affordable breakfast option that you will order at check in the night before, (or at the mandatory pilots meeting the first night.) The talks will be held in the River Run Lodge before we load the gondola to launch.
These talks will be designed to help you become a better XC pilot, or help you refine your skills to fly further than you have flown before. They will range in topic from preparedness, course line, gear, and a host of other topics designed to help you fly far in Idaho, or anywhere after you finish here.
Above and beyond the speakers we will have a group of exceptional, nationally, and internationally ranked pilots that will be in the comp mentoring participants.
We have an exceptional list of speakers already confirmed.
Speakers/Mentors include:
Russ Ogden, Nate Scales, Bill Belcourt, Nick Greece, Josh Cohn, Matt Beechinor, and Andy Macrae,
We are waiting on a few other confirmations but the list is already outstanding!
Won't you please come and join us in the skies over Idaho, and hopefully a few other surrounding states! If you participate in the Open Distance contest you will become a better pilot, and you will have an exceptionally good time here in Sun Valley guaranteed!
Please Note that any PWC pilot wishing to fly in the Comp will NOT be charged for late registration. Also if you wish to volunteer for the PWC you will receive a $50 discount on your entry. Please visit the volunteer section on the web page, flyfarinidaho.com.
- Competition Dates: August 27th Through September 2nd
- Sanctioning: USHPA and FAI Cat 2 sanctioned
- Format: Open Distance
- This contest will have a mentoring program for aspiring XC pilots. Come learn how to play the game from some of the best. Talks and mentoring provided by Nate Scales, Bill Belcourt, Nick Greece, Andy Macrae and Matt Beechinor. We will have further details on our Facebook page.
- Complaints from property owners/lease holders may result in penalties.
- Trophies/Prizes: Daily prizes for random acts of flying. Mens DHV 2-3, 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Mens DHV 2 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Women's 1st , 2nd, 3rd. There will be a huge prize for any pilot breaking the State record. We are figuring out the finer points on how to score those flying open class gliders in the DHV 2-3 class please be patient.
- Location: All launch sites are located on the summit of Bald Mountain, (9100feet/2774meters MSL), top of the Sun Valley Ski Resort. View a Google Map of the area.
- Pilot Skill Level Required: All contestants must be current USHPA members. No exceptions. P4 required, or P3 with Turbulence, Cross Country and High Altitude Special Skill endorsements.
- Equipment requirements: SPOT, Paraglider & Harness, Helmet, Reserve, GPS and Radio capable of receiving and transmitting on all official USHPA frequencies. Supplemental oxygen recommended.
- Early Registration until July 1st : $425
- Late Registration after July 2nd: $$475
- To pay please visit the registration section for the OD Nationals.
- Mandatory Pilot Briefing: Sunday, August 26th
- Transportation: Each contestant will receive an 8 day lift pass to access the summit of Bald Mountain. This pass is valid from August 26 – September 2nd. Shuttle vehicles will transport contestants from goal and on course back to River Run LZ and Ketchum.
- Parking: Ample parking at River Run LZ.
- Event Organizer: Mike Pfau
- Meet Director: TBA
- Score Keeper: Bill Hughes
- Safety Committee: Pilot appointed
- Volunteers and Wind Technicians: Needed and appreciated Contact flyfarinidhao@yahoo.com if you would like to volunteer.
