IRON MAN HANG-GLIDING: 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,

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!!!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

2013 New England XC Competition/Banquet