Lucky Life

Hang-Gliding Trophy made by Allen Stanish

I remember standing in the LZ the day we reopened Mt. Equinox as a New England flying site after 17 years of it being closed. I had just landed after my first, and short lived flight off an H4 rated site; one of the first to fly Equinox again. While I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to fly this amazing site, I couldn't help but watch as only two pilots of the 15 to 20 that were there that day, climbed above launch and flew around for hours. Tom Lanning and PK. The rest of us sledded to the bottom.

I watched these two 'Sky Gods', as I called them, intently as this inner drive screamed inside me. Something primal, something uncontrolled, something that said - "I need to be up there with them, not standing down here watching." I wasn't angry, or depressed, just driven. Driven to get where they were in skill. Driven to achieve what they had. Driven that, like them, I could take a complete dud of a day for 90% of the pilots, and turn it into a successful soaring adventure with hours of airtime.

That was September 7, 2009. Four plus years later, I sit here reflecting back on that moment and many others of equal awe and inspiration. The two pilots I mentioned above, as well as many more, have been incredibly supportive and inspirational in my progression. I have met some of the best people, some of the most kind and giving people, and made some of the deepest friendships in this sport. Which is saying a lot from an introvert.

I am extremely grateful for the things I have been lucky enough to do in life, in this sport, and for those who have supported me and continue to offer their support. Thank you all!!!

Here's the video of last year's winning flight. You can read my blog write-up here (because apparently I should reread my own stuff before talking about it at the banquet so I can tell it right...) -

2013 New England XC Competition/Banquet

Last night was the Awards Banquet for the 2013 New England XC Competition. Hang-Gliding and Para-Gliding Pilots from all over the northeast, as well as from NY, and even North Carolina attended the event. We celebrated last years XC flight winners, as well as the oldest XC competition in the United States.

We had an excellent dinner at Bamboo Restaurant in Westford, MA where our Master of Ceremony, veteran HG and PG pilot John Gallagher led a night of amazing stories, intrigue, and a nice touch of history of this long running competition. Everyone enjoyed John's 'Old Guys vs. Shining Young Stars' side competition. He claims the old guys won...

Some of the attendees like seasoned XC veterans Jon Szarek and Dennis Cavanagro, told stories from the origins of the competition, the history of the Green Jackets (New England distance record), and the red jacket VHGA Sandmen (a small group of pilots that have made it to the beach from one of our flying sites). There were 4 of these members in attendance - Jon Szarek, Dennis Cavanagro, Jeff Bernard, and Randy Brown. Tom Lanning is another legendary member of the list, past MC, and regular attendee, but his wife Amy had to come in his stead since he was too busy scraping clouds in Florida (warming up so he can try to retake first place this year).

The list of winners 

Hang-Glider 0 to 25 mile class

No entries

Hang-Glider 25 to 50 class

No entries

Hang-Glider 50+ mile class

• 1st Place - Randy Brown - Hang-Glide New England to Boscawen, NH - 72.2 miles (116.9 km) - story here
• 2nd Place - John Arrison - Mt. Ascutney to Northwood, NH - 63.7 miles (102.5 km)
• 3rd Place - Jake Pierce - Mt. Ascutney to Pembroke, NH - 56 miles (90.1 km)

Rigid Wing Class (new this year)

• 1st Place - Jon Szarek - Morningside Flight Park to Hampton Beach, NH - 90 miles (144.8 km)

Para-Glider 0 to 25 mile class

• 1st Place - Eduardo Garza - Brace Mt. to West Stockbridge, MA - 21.2 miles (34.1 km)
• 2nd Place - Davidson da Silva - Mt. Greylock to New Lebanon, NY - 14 miles (22.5 km)

Para-Glider 25 to 50 mile class

• 1st Place - John Gallagher - Mt. Greylock to Hudson, NY - 36.3 miles (58.4 km)
• 2nd Place - James Bradley - Brace Mt. to New Lebanon, NY - 33 miles (53.1 km)

Innovative Landing Award 2013

• Max Kotchouro - video here

Thanks to all the pilots, family members, and drivers that supported this event. You made this night possible! We look forward to seeing some of the up and coming pilots blaze trails across New England for the 2014 XC season! Fly Higher. Fly Farther.

We'll post photos of the event once they are in. Thanks to Max Kotchouro for taking photos again this year.

Sponsors and Honorable Mentions

Thank you to John Gallagher who made one hell of a presentation as the evening's Master of Ceremony. Thank you Allen Stanish for the remarkable work on the of building the wooden trophies. Thank you Barry Kriger for managing the raffle and helping fund next year's trophies.

We'd like to thank the Vermont Hang-Gliding Association, and the New England Para-Gliding Hang-Gliding Club for supporting the event through maintaining our flying sites, as well as funding the trophies and jackets. Thank you very much on behalf of all the New England HG PG pilots!

Last but by no means least, we would like to thank,

• Flytec USA
• Wills Wing
• Morningside Flight Park
• Eagle Paragliding
• Flymaster Varios
• Atlanta Para-Gliding
• Cloud 9 Para-Gliding
• Superfly, Inc. 

for supporting this event with prizes for the award winners. Without you, our flying and events such as this would not take place. Thank you for your gracious support!!!

Live Free and Fly - Morningside to Hillsboro - 2013

Hit 10,000 ft. over Morningside Flight Park in Charlestown, NH. Great clouds but not the best conditions for distance. Had to try. Went to Mt. Sunapee and after getting "low" at 7000 ft., I took her back to 10,000 and headed off over some sketchy terrain to Hillsboro Airport. Amazing day and my second and last flight of 2013.

Hitched a ride to an ice cream stand where my friends Tom and Allen picked me up.