SAFA Skysailor Magazine

6 SKY SAILOR July | August 2022 The Queensland Cane Toads have done it again, taking out the 2022 Paragliding State of Origin for the second year in a row. The Easter event at Mt Borah sees around 170 pilots battling it out for their beloved state teams. While the State of Origin clash pulls in the media headlines it’s the camaraderie and tussle between the five-pilot crews that brings competitors back year after year. Mt Borah is iconic for sports aviation, regularly hosting paragliding and hang gliding events, including the 2007 FAI Paragliding World Championships. Competitors divide themselves into five-pilot crews lead by an experienced XC mentor. The novice and intermediate pilots can hone their flying skills, weather assessment and safety attitude under the watchful eye of their experienced crew chief. To level the playing field, State of Origin scoring uses a handicap system. Low airtime pilots have their XC distance multiplied by three, more experienced pilots get double their distance and Ace pilots get their actual XC distance. This ensures a tight battle between all the competitors regardless of glider class or pilot hours. Reigning champions dominate the 2022 State of Origin