Bognor Birdman Sham

[Fingers]

Looking for the results of the Birdman, I find some shocking results alright.

Bognor will now give the one to brake the magic 100 meter's, wait for it, ..... a trophy.!! oh that's much better than the £30'000.00 who needs that?.

How much money has been made off the back of that show since 1971?.... the organisers need sacking.

Surly a very sad end of this event!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-14107031

[colin keightley]

After last year they now realise it's doable so stand a real danger of loosing the money

[ron freeman]

Don't blame the organisers Steve they work bloody hard to keep this event going with sponsor cut backs every year, the insurance companies are to blame.

Every year at least £15,000 + is raised for chosen charities and the insurance company offer nothing.. then they hike up the £2000 premium to £8000 in case they have to pay out.. nice people.

[Fingers]

my point is the 30k should have been banked years ago in trust, you and others have invested money and time over the years. To remove the prize now is criminal.

[ron freeman]

The main point is.. the Birdman trust fund have never had any jackpot money to give out ! its the insurance company that pays out.

Every year the event has just broke even, they now can not afford the massive insurance hike from £2000 to £8000 for the jackpot of £30,000

Insurance companies always win !

I do the event to raise the profile for hanggliding + the Great North Air Ambulance charity and I love the challenge of 100m.

Most of this years competitors flew last year as well with no jackpot prize.

[Dave Hume]

The main point is.. the Birdman trust fund have never had any jackpot money to give out ! its the insurance company that pays out.

Every year the event has just broke even, they now can not afford the massive insurance hike from £2000 to £8000 for the jackpot of £30,000

This is a real shame. Last year Steve Elkins got so close to the 100m that I understand him and many others thought it was just too close to call (within 20cm, that's the length of your hand! How could they measure that accurately in a choppy sea?) and that he should have got the money, but the organisers wriggled out of paying. Now I fear it will be the death of the serious side of the competition. Without the money incentive I'm sure many in the "serious" classes will think it's just not worth it and the whole thing will degenerate into nothing more than a fancy dress competition.

[ron freeman]

Dave why don't you have a go and support the event... the organisers at Worthing do a fantastic job and they have to prove to the insurance company that Steves flight was over 100m and their figures came to 99.8

I was next to take off and Steves flight looked to be around the 95-96m because the last 3-4m just his head was sticking out of the water and that does not count so we were surprised at the final distance recorded.

The jackpot at Worthing is now £10,000 which increases by £10,000 every year until its won ! also there is no insurance company involved now which is better for everyone concerned.

The organisers now have the final decision

[RonDon]

Well Ron I am pleased to say that you did the NHPC proud for all the years you took Part in the Birdman of Bognor.

And from what I have been told you where all ways in the chocolates for a few thou over the years.

Very well done Ron.

RonDon.