SAFA Skysailor Magazine

23 November | December 2022 SKY SAILOR Australia, with its abundant tree cover and relatively low mountains makes a harsh playground for the hike and fly enthusiast. So, to attract a wide range of participants, Roger Stanford and his team at SkyOut Paragliding, Sydney devised an ingenious format to max- imise fun for all at this one-day competition. Competitors scored points for metres climbed and also for landing accuracy on the bullseye target placed on the shores of the lake. Everyone stuck to the same course, making for a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere with safety cover and first aid easily accessible. After two stormy weeks, Sunday 25 September 2022 at Lake St Clair near Singleton, NSW, dawned bright and clear. A few wind lines ruffled the lake as over 30 com- petitors lined up at the start at 9:30am. Ahead of them was 425m of ascent up the lush, green and in places sodden hillside to launch. Arriving in under 45 minutes, the first competitors found brisk conditions with around 14kt of wind. Some opted to take off in strong but smooth air for the glide down to the lakeside. Others chose to hike back and then up again, for more ascent points. The less serious contenders settled in to watch how conditions developed. Opposite clockwise from top: Fraser Sabine first off the hill Simon Feeney on the final push to the summit First Ascent Photos: James Mills Clockwise from top left: Simon Feeney at launch Photo: James Mills Allen Weynberg on his way to the Bullseye Photo: Phil Kirkman Start of the SkyOut Bullseye Photo: James Mills