SAFA Skysailor Magazine

8 SKY SAILOR March-April-May | AUTUMN 2026 Upon arriving in town a few days before the competition started, we discovered the paddock we have used as goal for the last five years had waist-high grass in it due to unseasonal rainfall earlier in the year. After some serious networking, we were able to secure an even better paddock (larger and flatter) which we hope to use again next year. We only had three days of flying this year, due to the catastrophic bush fires in the area. Tasks were set mainly toward Khancoban, to keep us clear of firefighting aircraft refuelling at Corryong airport (our usual goal during the competition). Unfortunately, the last three days of the competition were cancelled due to the advancing fire front. The entire town of Corryong was evacuated during this scary situation. Two practice days, 2 and 3 January, saw many pilots have great flights around the valley, with one group attempting a return task to Mt Kosciuszko, with some of them successfully completing the task. The following day was our first pilot briefing at Attree Park, with the election of the task committee (Jonny Durand, Steve Crosby, Rohan Holtkamp), and safety Corryong Cup