Recreational Flying: 41st Blauen Cup Hang Gliding Competition, in All Weather Conditions

As it does every year on the Day of Prayer, the MG Basilisk club hosted the 41st edition of the traditional Blauen Cup hang gliding competition. The event featured the tried-and-true competition program with three rounds from the launch site, located 350 meters higher, with time and distance scoring; the popular bottle-flying event; and a simple pylon race for Depron gliders as an additional attraction, especially for younger participants. Despite widely distributed email invitations, a newly redesigned website with online registration, and plenty of word-of-mouth promotion, only 19 external pilots registered. But it got even worse: according to the weather forecast, we were facing a completely rainy Day of Prayer. During the preparations on Saturday, we still had nice, dry weather, but on Sunday during the competition, the forecast proved relentlessly accurate—rain all day long. We were all the more delighted that 15 external participants—several of whom had traveled over an hour to get there—still showed up for the competition. Amid a surprisingly good atmosphere, we held a round from half height and were thus still able to compile a ranking. The refreshments donated by Dani and Hans were also much appreciated, and our catering service—featuring grilled sausages—was in full swing. After the awards ceremony, four undaunted pilots ventured out for a trial run of pylon racing—which would have been a lot of fun in nice weather.

Conclusion: We can rely one hundred percent on the core group of “Blue Flyers.” However, the departures due to age can hardly be compensated for by younger pilots. The structural changes in the model flying scene are taking their toll here as well.

Peter Scheibli,
Competition Director