SAFA Skysailor Magazine

10 SKY SAILOR May | June 2024 Manilla XC Camp 2024 by Godfrey Wenness – Organiser The annual Manilla XC Camp 2024 event had 196 pilots from 14 nations registered. The eight day long paragliding XC event based at Mt Borah saw pilots flying as far as they can each day to score points based on their distance. This format differs to Race to Goal based events where pilots line up at an aerial start gate and then race around a defined short course often in as little as 1.5 hours. The Open Distance concept is casual and avoids the stress of race style events. It also gives pilots the opportunity to fly many more hours per day over the week compared to race events as they strive for new personal best distances. Day 1 – 20 January: 117km east towards Walcha A windy start to the day was forecast and evident at the first HQ briefing. The WNW wind was due to ease by mid afternoon offering everyone a chance to fly. The shorter time available didn’t affect the outcome as the leaders met the sea-breeze after a few hours once they neared the eastern edge of the New England Tablelands. Cloudbase lifted to around 2500m towards the end of the day, making the crossing to the tablelands a bit easier for the later pilots. Winner of the day was Sean Hammil in Sports Class who flew via Bendemeer towards Walcha. He made a tactical 90º turn as he hit the sea-breeze to fly along the edge of it and gain more distance.