Storms hit paragliding contest

February 26, 2007 - 3:27PM Storms have interrupted the world paragliding championships in northern NSW, days after one competitor was illed and another had a lucky escape when sucked into a vicious storm cell. The first day of competition, in which 150 pilots from 41 countries were scheduled to compete, had to be cancelled after adverse weather conditions allowed only a 10-minute window for flying. "We're working on daily updates at the moment to let visitors know," Tamworth Tourism marketing manager David Woodward said. The 10th FAI World Paragliding championships is being held near the town of Manilla and is expected to inject more than $3 million of tourism revenue into the Tamworth region. It is the first time the international paragliding competition has been held in Australia. Only four clear days are needed in a two-week period to determine a winner in the competition, event organiser Godfrey Wenness said. But storms already have created havoc for paragliders. Chinese competitor Zhongpin He, 42, was struck by lightning and killed after he was sucked into a violent storm cell on February 14. German competitor Ewa Wisnierska, 35, is being called the luckiest woman alive after surviving the same storm cell, which pelted her with hail and sucked her to an altitude higher than Mt Everest after rendering her unconscious. She regained consciousness and landed safely some 60km from her launch site. "The pilots are aware of the dangers involved within the sport," Mr Woodward said. "But the full briefing was given to them. It was an unfortunate accident that we hope to have avoided for the rest of the competition." Mr Wenness said the pilots were enjoying Australian hospitality while unable to fly. "All the pilots here obviously came to fly in the wonderful conditions that Manilla and the region offer," he said. "And also, of course, to experience some fine Aussie hospitality. "They're certainly getting the hospitality part, and the flying will come in a few days, I think." The championships are due to finish on March 9, with storms expected throughout this week.

 

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