Red Bull Vertigo
July 20th 03, 02:50 PM
22 to 24 August 2003: 6th Red Bull Vertigo in Villeneuve (VD/Switzerland)
Daring acrobatics at airy heights
From 22 to 24 August 2003 in Villeneuve (VD/Switzerland), the world´s best
hang-gliders and paragliders will be meeting to compete at the Red Bull
Vertigo. For the sixth year paragliders and delta pilots will be
demonstrating their daring figures in the sky above a crowd of enthusiastic
spectators.
They stretch the limits of their physical capacity with their daring figures
in the sky: the para- and hang-gliders who have devoted themselves to
acro-flying. The best of these flyers will prove their adeptness at the
sport in the skies above Lake Geneva once again this year. The world´s
leading pilots are expected to converge in the sky at the 6th Red Bull
Vertigo, one of the leading competitions for acro-flyers .
Acro-flying is a new type of extreme sport. Hang- and paragliders, in their
on-going pursuit of new challenges and added thrill, began to incorporate
loops and other stunts into their flights in the 1990´s. Since then,
acro-flying has continued to develop and become increasingly popular not
only among the pilots, but also as a spectator sport.
Increasing numbers
Since the first Vertigo in 1997, the number of participants has multiplied.
At the first Red Bull Vertigo, there were ten paragliding teams and ten
hang-gliding pilots competing. Today, the organisers have to limit the
number of competitors to a selection of those who qualify in a preliminary
round. "We have set a maximum of 50 participants for this year´s contest,"
reports Alain Zoller, organiser of the Red Bull Vertigo. There are 20
hang-gliders and 15 paragliding teams, resulting in a total of 50
participants. According to Zoller, there will be one or two women´s teams
competing this year.
Alain Zoller was one of the very first acro-flyers. For years he has been
instrumental in popularising the sport. "Before 1997, there were no contests
in acro-flying. The situation has changed to such an extent that we are now
able to organise an unofficial World Tour with nine contests. Further
projects are in the making," explains Zoller. One of the future plans is to
hold the first official world championships in Villeneuve in 2005.
Swiss flyers among the world´s elite
Swiss pilots have taken an international lead in the sport as well. At last
year´s Red Bull Vertigo, Olivier Nef and Claude Thurnheer ranked third in
paragliding. The Swiss hang-gliders finished even better: the first five
places all went to Swiss competitors. Along with the Rodriguez brothers from
Spain and Robbie Whitall from England, former world champions in para- and
hang-gliding, other international cracks in the scene will be starting this
year as well.
Spectators can expect to witness spectacular performances: aerobatic
hang-gliding enhanced with figures such as loops and "wingovers" (curves
made by pivoting around all of the axes). In contrast, pilots who
demonstrate "trick-riding" create figures such as loops, wingovers and 360°
turns from their flight. Synchronised paragliding combines the pilots´
skills with the aesthetics of flying, which is also why this discipline is
called "air ballet".
The acro-pilots in Villeneuve have a difference in altitude of over 1000
metres in which to carry out their aerobatics. The floating platform on
which the pilots must land is anchored well within of sight of the
lakeshore. Experts of the scene will provide commentary on the performances
for the spectators, and a jury comprised of professionals will judge the
flights. They will be evaluating the complexity of the figures, quality of
performance, consistency of choreography and the synchronisation of both
pilots. In order to minimise risk, the participants are subjected to a
strict selection procedure. In addition, the flight range is limited to the
area above the lake, where a rescue crew with divers is on hand in case of
emergency.
Flight shows, DJs, live music
The spectators are allowed admission not only to the sporting attractions,
but also to the various side events at the Red Bull Vertigo: the schedule of
daytime activities includes aerobatic exhibitions and entertainment; the
evenings are just as exhilarating with live music or dancing to the sound of
the DJs. The Swiss Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association will, of course,
be present as well, providing information to potential newcomers to the
sport. The good news for all flight enthusiasts is that admission to the Red
Bull Vertigo is free. Early arrival to the event is highly recommended in
order to ensure a good place for viewing: the organisers are expecting over
20,000 spectators.
Red Bull Vertigo - 22 to 24 August 2003 in Villeneuve/Switzerland. Further
information: www.redbull-vertigo.com
Daring acrobatics at airy heights
From 22 to 24 August 2003 in Villeneuve (VD/Switzerland), the world´s best
hang-gliders and paragliders will be meeting to compete at the Red Bull
Vertigo. For the sixth year paragliders and delta pilots will be
demonstrating their daring figures in the sky above a crowd of enthusiastic
spectators.
They stretch the limits of their physical capacity with their daring figures
in the sky: the para- and hang-gliders who have devoted themselves to
acro-flying. The best of these flyers will prove their adeptness at the
sport in the skies above Lake Geneva once again this year. The world´s
leading pilots are expected to converge in the sky at the 6th Red Bull
Vertigo, one of the leading competitions for acro-flyers .
Acro-flying is a new type of extreme sport. Hang- and paragliders, in their
on-going pursuit of new challenges and added thrill, began to incorporate
loops and other stunts into their flights in the 1990´s. Since then,
acro-flying has continued to develop and become increasingly popular not
only among the pilots, but also as a spectator sport.
Increasing numbers
Since the first Vertigo in 1997, the number of participants has multiplied.
At the first Red Bull Vertigo, there were ten paragliding teams and ten
hang-gliding pilots competing. Today, the organisers have to limit the
number of competitors to a selection of those who qualify in a preliminary
round. "We have set a maximum of 50 participants for this year´s contest,"
reports Alain Zoller, organiser of the Red Bull Vertigo. There are 20
hang-gliders and 15 paragliding teams, resulting in a total of 50
participants. According to Zoller, there will be one or two women´s teams
competing this year.
Alain Zoller was one of the very first acro-flyers. For years he has been
instrumental in popularising the sport. "Before 1997, there were no contests
in acro-flying. The situation has changed to such an extent that we are now
able to organise an unofficial World Tour with nine contests. Further
projects are in the making," explains Zoller. One of the future plans is to
hold the first official world championships in Villeneuve in 2005.
Swiss flyers among the world´s elite
Swiss pilots have taken an international lead in the sport as well. At last
year´s Red Bull Vertigo, Olivier Nef and Claude Thurnheer ranked third in
paragliding. The Swiss hang-gliders finished even better: the first five
places all went to Swiss competitors. Along with the Rodriguez brothers from
Spain and Robbie Whitall from England, former world champions in para- and
hang-gliding, other international cracks in the scene will be starting this
year as well.
Spectators can expect to witness spectacular performances: aerobatic
hang-gliding enhanced with figures such as loops and "wingovers" (curves
made by pivoting around all of the axes). In contrast, pilots who
demonstrate "trick-riding" create figures such as loops, wingovers and 360°
turns from their flight. Synchronised paragliding combines the pilots´
skills with the aesthetics of flying, which is also why this discipline is
called "air ballet".
The acro-pilots in Villeneuve have a difference in altitude of over 1000
metres in which to carry out their aerobatics. The floating platform on
which the pilots must land is anchored well within of sight of the
lakeshore. Experts of the scene will provide commentary on the performances
for the spectators, and a jury comprised of professionals will judge the
flights. They will be evaluating the complexity of the figures, quality of
performance, consistency of choreography and the synchronisation of both
pilots. In order to minimise risk, the participants are subjected to a
strict selection procedure. In addition, the flight range is limited to the
area above the lake, where a rescue crew with divers is on hand in case of
emergency.
Flight shows, DJs, live music
The spectators are allowed admission not only to the sporting attractions,
but also to the various side events at the Red Bull Vertigo: the schedule of
daytime activities includes aerobatic exhibitions and entertainment; the
evenings are just as exhilarating with live music or dancing to the sound of
the DJs. The Swiss Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association will, of course,
be present as well, providing information to potential newcomers to the
sport. The good news for all flight enthusiasts is that admission to the Red
Bull Vertigo is free. Early arrival to the event is highly recommended in
order to ensure a good place for viewing: the organisers are expecting over
20,000 spectators.
Red Bull Vertigo - 22 to 24 August 2003 in Villeneuve/Switzerland. Further
information: www.redbull-vertigo.com