Paragliding Carpathian Cup 2013

Oleg Grigoriev writes: “Have you ever dreamed of becoming a bird? In fact, every person dreams of flying in the sky. No, not on flying vehicles like airplanes or helicopters, but on their own wings. But evolution did not give us such an opportunity, and then, for aspiring to the heights, enthusiasts came up with paragliders. You run down the hill picking up speed, and then in an instant you leave the ground ... and now you are already looking into the eyes of the descendants of Archeopteryx flying past.

According to science, the first birds were not capable of flapping flight, they could only glide and used their wings to run on flat surfaces. But over a couple of centuries of evolution, they were able to develop their capabilities and fly into the sky. This is what proper planning and the desire to achieve your goal means. Humanity has every chance - we know how to run on a plane, and wave our arms too.

You should definitely try to climb into the sky, if only to experience those childhood emotions and sensations when you first climb the tallest tree in your yard and sway to the beat with the gusts of wind. At the same time, opposite sensations overwhelm you - from wild fear to indescribable joy from free soaring down.

(Total 80 photos)

Source: grigoryev.net

1.

2. From 3 to 11 July in the village of Pylypets, Mezhhirya district of Transcarpathia, the Open Cup of the Carpathians 2013 in paragliding was held. The peaks of the Borzhava Range and Mount Gemba are located in this area. The first competitions in these mountains were held in 2002.

3. This year, the athletes were very lucky with the weather - all the days were flying. The weather was favorable and decided not to present unpleasant surprises, as last year.

4. And now I want to share my personal enthusiasm about paragliding. It was unreal cool! Standing on the ground, I was confident in myself and even imagined the photos that I would take in the sky. But as soon as the tandem system and helmet were put on me, fear enveloped me, the brain refused to function constructively. An inner voice whispered "Don't panic." On the first flight, which took place at an altitude of 2600 m, I even forgot to put the tripod out of my backpack. Of course, I still wouldn't have been able to use a tripod, but it looked solid and added weight to me.

5. Twice I was lifted into the sky, where I began to have wild panic, hysteria and screams, my heart was beating like a titanium hammer, my hair took the form of a Mohawk, but I still continued to press the shutter of the camera. By the way, the traditional methods of self-soothing - deep breathing and meditation - do not work in the sky.

6. Today, the "Open Carpathian Cup" is registered by the International Air Sports Federation (FAI) as a rating competition. Successful performances at the Cup allow athletes to improve their rating and move to a higher level in their category.

7. The following disciplines were played at the competition: flight along a given route in the minimum time, race along a given route, flight along a triangular route, flight to an open range in a straight line, flight to a distance to the target, flight to a distance to the target with return.

8. About 80 pilots from different countries took part in the competitions, which have Ukrainian and international open standings.

9. The paragliders started from Mount Gemba (1496 m), which offers a magnificent view of the Borzhavsky Range, which in turn is the longest mountain range in Transcarpathia.

10.

eleven.

12. As a rule, paragliders are divided into professional athletes and weekend pilots. The latter are very cautious and fly only for their own pleasure.

13. The slopes of the Borzhava Range are great for paragliding. The length of the ridge is over 50 km, the width is 34 km, the height is up to 1681 m.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19. Scoring depends on the readings of electronic devices that accurately record the movement of the paraglider in the air. Each pilot has several GPS navigation devices.

20.

21. It should not be forgotten that paragliding is a very extreme sport and quite often the pilots are in trouble.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27. The wing of a paraglider creates lift by interacting with the ascending currents of warm air that rises from the ground, and it moves forward under the influence of gravity and the weight of the paraglider. If no attempt is made to maintain the altitude, the paraglider will slowly descend to the ground.

28. The canopy of a paraglider is made of a special airtight durable fabric. It consists of an upper and lower surface, which are connected by jumpers - ribs.

29. The photograph shows the peaks of Mount Stand and Mount Veliky Verkh.

30. During the flight, the paraglider may accidentally collapse (in whole or in part). This happens for various reasons, for example, from the effects of turbulence, pilot error, or other reasons. Depending on how the paraglider exits dangerous modes, a safety class is assigned.

31. Paragliders can be divided into three safety classes - these are Standard, Performance and Competition. The class of a paraglider is determined by the conformity of the results of its testing with certification systems.

32. Standard is a glider for beginners, very stable and forgiving. Typically used for training purposes and recommended for pilots who fly purely for pleasure. Performance - has good flying qualities and is moderately stable. Competition is a paraglider for professionals.

33. Paraglider flight speed from 20 to 85 km/h.

34. The cost of a new paraglider from well-known world companies is 2.5 - 5 thousand dollars per set. It is important that this paraglider is certified.

35.

36.

Two paratroopers are sitting. Paragliders fly over them. One other: -Do you know what a paraglider is? -??? -Paragliders are the souls of dead paratroopers.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71. Not everyone voluntarily wanted to fly into the sky :).

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80. In conclusion, I would like to say that someone can overcome their fear, while someone continues to dream of free flight.