Goal of Event:
The annual Utah AAA Paragliding Sprints, at the Point of the Mountain have been organized as an invitational and developmental competition for paragliding pilots. This competition is intended to support development of pilot skills through sport and a camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts while promoting a positive public image of foot launched flight via a spectator friendly and appealing event.
Description:
The Utah AAA Paragliding Sprints in some way resemble other cross country paragliding competitions in that it incorporates a launch window, a start cylinder, multiple turn points, a goal, and of course a very complicated scoring scheme. However, Utah AAA Paragliding Sprints differ from almost every other cross country competition in that it has been designed to promote a wide variety of pilot skills for those who have little to no competition experience. Utah Sprints also differ from other competitions in that this event has been designed to be spectator friendly (most of the event will be visible from the ground).
The Utah Sprints consists of two classes of pilots: 5 (five) invited professional competitors and 45 (forty five) Amateur Class pilots (non-ranked P2–P4). The invited professionals are permitted to fly any wing they desire. The Amateur Class pilots will be divided into two categories (those flying DHV 1-2 or below wings and those flying DHV 2 to 2-3 wings). The event will be held Wednesday May 2nd thru Saturday May 5th. The event will be scored in the same manner that the US Paragliding Nationals are scored. All scoring parameters will be announced at the beginning of the event and explained in the Pilot Handbook. The Utah Sprints will resemble other competitions in that each task shall be comprised of multiple turn points. However, the tasks will be set to ensure a high percentage of pilots make goal. The course will be set to challenge most novice to intermediate pilots yet provide a structure for expanding skills (flying in gaggles, use of the speed bar, flying with a GPS, race theory/strategy, etc.).
Finally, the Utah Paragliding Sprints differ from most other competitions in that pilot development workshops will be conducted prior to each task. These workshops will have an agenda that covers topics critical to competition flying (e.g. ensuring you are familiar with basic race strategy, use of the GPS, flying in gaggles, previous day analysis, viewing and analyzing the three dimensional playbacks of track logs, individual coaching, and so on). These workshops will help reduce the tension newer pilots often experience when first entering higher levels of competition.
The Utah Paragliding Sprints will be administered by a Race Director, a Task Committee, a Safety Committee, and a Scoring Committee.
Race Day Schedule:
1:00-3:30: Daily Development Workshop/Coaching
4:00-5:00: Task Committee and Safety Committees meet to explore options and set the task.
5:00: Course and launch window are announced.
TBA: Launch window opens
TBA: Sprint begins
TBA: Race window closes
TBA: Aerobatics Demonstrations
@8:00: Barbecue/Post Race Party begins
Tasks:
Tasks will be set that are both challenging and creative. Tasks may include multiple triangles, out and backs, or some kind of zigzag course. The task and safety committees will evaluate the conditions and will set a course that should take between 45-120 minutes to complete. GPSs will be collected at goal, data downloaded and returned to the pilot. Other specifics will be announced on the race day (e.g. will re-launches be permitted, thermalling direction in the start cylinder, etc.).
Field:
The competition will have a maximum field of 50 pilots distributed in the following manner:
Awards:
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1st in Professional Class (Cash Prize)
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1st, 2nd, 3rd in Amateur Class (DHV1-2 and below)
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1st, 2nd in Amateur Class (DHV 2 to 2-3)
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Medals to all participants who complete the competition with points on the board.
Development Workshops(s):
Four pilot development/coaching workshops will be held during the competition. These workshops will bring in experienced competition pilots to discuss a variety of subjects. A tentative agenda for these workshops has been written and is as follows:
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Day One: Using your GPS in flight; Basic Race Strategy; Competition Etiquette
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Day Two: Review of Day One task; Q&A; Flying in Gaggles and Speed Flying
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Day Three: Review of Day Two task; Q&A; Personal Coaching
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Day Four: Review of Day Three task; Q&A; Personal Coaching
These workshops will be cumulative. That is, each workshop will build upon the knowledge and experience gained from the previous. Participation in all is strongly encouraged.
Scoring:
CompGPS, or a market equivalent, will be used to score this event. Result will be posted at the pilot development workshop. Results will also be posted at launch and on the UHGPGA.org website.
Requirements:
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Acceptable GPS (cable recommend) – email the race director if you have any questions or concerns abut your GPS.
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Appropriate safety equipment (recently packed reserve, helmet, cell phone, etc.)
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Membership in the UHGPGA and USHGPGA. Out of town pilots can purchase one day memberships for each heat @ $5.00 for each day.
Cost/Registration:
Registration opens on March 15, 2007 and is a first come basis (determined by the postmark). Checks must be made out to the UHGPGA and mailed to:
UHGPGA
PO BOX 757
Draper, UT 84020
The cost of the event is $75.00 and includes: workshops, event, scoring, two barbecue diners, awards ceremony, a tee shirt or some other form of apparel, lots of freebees, and lots of fun. Pilots must register for the entire event.
*** Note: The competition budget and a general ledger will be made available to UHGPGA club members upon request. Any funds remaining will be used for future club activities (e.g., next year’s AAA Sprint)
Questions can be e-mailed to: airutah@hotmail.com