Although 2008 hasn’t been the best of years for free flight I feel there’s a few pilots that deserve a special mention before we hand out the annual awards.
Starting back in April we had our winter XC winners in the shape of Alan Westmoreland and Neil Smith
In May Paul Myerscough entered the first X-Scotia challenge and came a very credible second to Steve Nash. Paul could of actually won the event if he’d had a little more local knowledge. But with fading light decided it was too dangerous to fly down from the last mountain. Paul took 15 hrs 44 mins to complete the course of 85 K.M flying 24.8 KM and walking the rest.
In July Chris Little took part in the first X Lakes challenge which started in Keswick and took in the three turn points of Skiddaw, Helvelleyn, and Scafell Pike....as the crow flies some 58 Km Chris finished a credible 5th in 15hrs 40 mins running the whole course.
In June Bill Scott finished the Lakes Charity Classic in second place a position I’ve held myself on the Hang glider a fantastic result but unfortunately Bill no one remembers 2nd place……Except us tonight ……Well done.
The end of August saw our team of competition pilots head down to the long Mynd for the BCC Final and also finished a credible second place and maybe could have…Should have…. won it???
Also in August Alastair Guthrie flew 90KM from the Yorkshire Dales to Marske a tremendous flight which I think deserves a round of applause well done Ali.
Also a mention must go to ex Northumbria pilot Ian Miskin for his many flights in 2008 of 30 40 50 and 60 Km. Maybe a round of applause also.
If Paul Chris Ali and Bill would like to come forward we have a bottle of red to mark their fantastic achievements during 2008.
And now to the main awards of the evening in no particular order.
The Graeme Thirlwell trophy is awarded for the most improved pilot of 2008.
I asked all the coaches who they thought would qualify for this award and from those who contacted me the decision was unanimous. Frequently seen out on the hill. Showing signs of becoming a very good and safe pilot and enjoying some very good flying during 2008 AND for being a jolly nice bloke into the bargain the Graeme Thirlwell trophy goes to Mr Brian Nellist.
Next the Hang Gliding XC League and the Phil Trotter trophy which is also the wining trophy of the Hang Gliding XC League.
In Third place is Wendy Patterson with 24KM.
In second place is Alan Westmoreland with 46.2KM.
But the winner in his first year of hang gliding with 50.4 KM all done on the ridge the magnificent Phil Trotter Trophy goes to Gary Stenhouse.
Next is the Weekender
This trophy is for the hang glider pilot who has flown the most recorded XC miles during weekends and bank holidays. The winner is….Gary Stenhouse.
Next is the Cross Fell Trophy
This award is for the pilot who has flown the biggest distance from a site in the Northumbria Site guide on a paraglider. So….The biggest distance from a Northumbria site was done by myself Cross Fell to Stanhope….. However….. The best distance from the Radar masts on the Cross Fell range which is not in the Northumbria site guide was also to Stanhope…. in fact the landing was amazingly almost in the same field. So do we award the trophy for the best distance from a club site or the best distance from the radar masts???? I have decided in my wisdom and excellent sportsmanship to award it to………Gary Stenhouse for his 34KM from the radar masts.
Next is the Mike Smith Trophy
This is awarded for the biggest XC from a Northumbria site either on a hang glider or paraglider.
Again for his flight from the Radar masts to Stanhope… The winner is Gary Stenhouse.
Next is the trophy for the winner of the fabled annual Hang Gliding Club Competition held once again on Cross Fell. This competition has a lot of history attached to it and never seems to be without some sort of controversy. The winner this year ended up flying more miles XC in a helicopter than on his own glider due to breaking his arm on landing. But after a long operation screwing his arm back together and only a couple of days of rest I was amazed when I rang him to find he was back at work.
That speaks volumes for the man and a very worthy winner in Dave Weir. (not present)
Next is the annual Paragliding Competition. This competition is also starting to attract a similar status to the hang gliding competition. It never seems to happen without a story…….This year we ended up on the Model Ridge which turned out to be a great call. The weather was mixed, the flying was exciting, we got more than one task in, and we got a clear winner.
In 3rd place John Wallis
In 2nd place Ron Donaldson
Winner of the NHPC Paragliding Club Comp is Bill Scott.
Next we have a new trophy for the best XC distance flown on a paraglider in the UK. Flying 90KM from the Yorkshire Dales to Marske on the East coast……. Ali Guthrie
Now we come to what has become the award most pilots would like to get their hands on.
This trophy is for the paraglider or hang glider pilot that has flown the most XC miles during 2008 and carries the title of the NHPC overall club XC Champion. Ian Miskin who is no longer a paid up Northumbria member deserves a mention as he flew a total of 222 KM in 2008 but does not count.
So……………………
10th place went to Colin Chapman 45.5
9th place went to Chris Little 55.8
8th place went to Ron Donaldson 58.7
7th place went to John Wallis 59.1
6th place went to Brian Day 62.00
5th place went to Neil Smith 75.8
4th place went to Chris Forster 81.5
3rd place went to Gary Stenhouse 54.9
2nd place went to Paul Myerscough 89.9
But in first place……..
Our top and most worthy pilot with 191 KM our very own Ali Guthrie…………………
On a final note I think it’s great that we continue to compete for all the memorial trophies. I’m sure the families of all the pilots who have gone before us would be proud to see them continually honored in this way.
Here’s to an even better 2009………..Cheers.
