THE EVENTS – AT A GLANCE

The objective of the FAI World Hang Gliding Championship is to determine the world champion pilot and the world’s best nation hang gliding team through a safe, fair and satisfying flying contest.

* The 17th FAI World Hang Gliding Championship 2009, Laragne-Chabre, France takes place from 19th June to 4th July, 2009. The 2008 Chabre Hang Gliding Pre-worlds, the test event for the championship, will be held from 24th June to 4th July, 2008.

* These World Championships are held under the auspices of the Fédération Aéronautique International (FAI), the airsports equivalent of the International Olympic Committee. The FAI establishes the rules and regulations for competitions and records, and confers medals and diplomas. It operates through its various airsport commissions; for Hang Gliding, this is the Commission International de Vol Libre.

* 120 pilots from some 30 countries will compete in 2008 and 2009. Each national team, comprising the country’s top pilots, will participate, accompanied by team leader, coach and supporters.

* Typically, the events start with an official practice day an opening ceremony and 10 to 12 competition days followed by a closing ceremony. In 2008, trophies and prizes will be presented. In 2009, the FAI gold, silver and bronze medals, plus diplomas will be awarded to the individual and team winners.

* Each day the pilots will be transported from Laragne town centre to the take-off. A course is set, depending on weather conditions, which may be in excess of 200km, taking in a number of ‘turnpoints’, and specifying a ‘goal’ landing field. Courses may be a straight distance to a remote goal or more usually an out and return via turnpoints.

* At the end of each day’s task, pilots submit their GPS tracklogs to the scorers. Points are awarded for speed and distance around the course. The competition is won by the pilot and team scoring the highest cumulative score. Consistency is essential and the key to success.

* Scores will be posted at the Laragne town centre headquarters each day. Photographs, task reports and pilot reports will be posted on the website daily, and video footage will be available during and after the event.

THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS HANG GLIDING EVENT COMES TO LARAGNE-CHABRE, FRANCE

The FAI World Hang Gliding Championships takes place every two years. In 2007, Texas, USA hosted the event, in 2005 it was in Hay, Australia, and in 2003, in Brazil.

Now it is Europe’s turn to show the world’s best pilots that France has a world-class site, and is capable of organising this World Championship event.

* The 17th FAI World Hang Gliding Championships will take place from 19th June to the 4th July 2009 at Laragne, in the Hautes-Alpes department of south east France. France’s bid to hold this World Championship at Laragne, was accepted by the Commission Internationale de Vol Libre (CIVL) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

* 120 pilots from at least 30 countries are expected to compete. Each national team, comprising the country’s top pilots, will participate, accompanied by team leader, coach and supporters. FAI gold, silver and bronze medals and diplomas are awarded.

* Prior to the World Championships in 2009, a test event will be held, providing an opportunity for the organisers to demonstrate that the site and the organisation are up to the FAI’s exacting standards for Category 1 events. This Pre-World competition will take place from 23rd June to the 4th July 2008.

* A steward of the FAI will be present for the 2008 pre-worlds to provide advice and guidance and ensure the event is well run, and meets FAI regulations. The subsequent Steward’s Report will outline any recommendations for 2009.

* This World Championship event provides an excellent opportunity for the local region to further enhance its deserved reputation as a superb location for the practice of a wide range of airsports and tourism, as well as providing commercial benefits both directly and indirectly.

* Located in the Hautes-Alpes department of south east France, Laragne-Chabre ridge is an exceptional flying site with a unique aerology and excellent climate.

* The competitions themselves will be complemented with a programme of social events for pilots and the public, and an extensive media campaign will promote both the sport and the area.

* An organising group, CHABRE 2009 has been created as a cooperation between the Fédération Française de Vol Libre (FFVL), the local hang gliding and paragliding clubs, and the local authorities, to run and finance the events.

LA MONTAGNE DE CHABRE :
AN EXCEPTIONAL SITE FOR HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING

Overlooking beautiful countryside, the Chabre ridge already enjoys an excellent reputation among the hang gliding and paragliding community. An average of 300 sunny days a year, a unique aerology and climate combined with its proximity to the southern end of the Alps, makes Chabre an exceptional flying site, and the region ideal for free flyers.

* Located in the Hautes-Alpes department, above the village of Chateauneuf de Chabre, this 18km ridge overlooks the town of Laragne-Montéglin, the beautiful Gorges de Méouge and the Buech and Durance valleys.

* The Chabre ridge features benefits from both north and south facing take offs. While the dominant wind direction is northerly, diurnal evolution, valley breezes and strong, reliable thermal activity, generally create a southerly flow up the hill.

* The launch area is easily accessible by car, with parking and toilets close to the summit. Official landing fields are located at Laragne-Montéglin, Ribiers and Barret sur Méouge.

* The valleys of the Buech and Durance are wider, and less prone to strong valley winds than the higher alps. This provides safer outlandings, and good interconnecting roads aid the retrieval of pilots.

* Chabre has a great reputation as a competition and record-setting site. Long distance, out and return and triangular flights, often beyond 250km have been made from here. The French Hang gliding triangle distance record held by Gil Souviron was set here in 2007. After launching from Chabre, he flew 275km over Mont Ventoux, to Dormillouse, then to Grenoble before returning to land at Laragne. Local pilot, Alain Chauvet holds the site out and return record of 230 km.

* Laragne-Chabre has, over the years, become a favourite site for national and international competitions. In recent years it has hosted:
o the European Hang Gliding Championship in 1994,
o the French Hang Gliding Championships in 2000, 2003 and 2006
o several Belgian, Dutch, British and Danish national championships
In 2008 Chabre will host the national hang gliding championships of the UK, Holland and Belgium as well as a number of paragliding competitions

DEVELOPING THE SPORT, TOURISM AND ENHANCING THE WORLD REPUTATION OF THE SITE

The impact of this major event will be considerable both for the reputation of hang gliding in France, and the reputation of the site worldwide. There is huge potential to expand the tourism in the area based on aerial sports.

* The event will encourage more pilots to visit Laragne-Chabre and the surrounding area, not only this year and next, but every year; not only for competitions, but for flying and family holidays throughout the season.

* A local initiative, Excell’Air, is promoting the wide range of aerial sports available in the region, incorporating a major programme to gather and disseminate information, and help promote local flying sites, aerodromes and other facilities for air sports.

* The FAI World Hang Gliding Championships at Laragne and the FAI World Air Games in Turin, will be held within weeks of each other in 2009, geographically split by the southern Alps. These major events are two focal points of the cross-border Excell’Air project.

* The organisers of the World Championships and the Pre-Worlds have planned a major communication campaign, in English and French, aimed at local, national and international press. Primary targets are newspapers, magazines (specialist, sports and mainstream), radio, TV and the internet.

* An awareness campaign is planned for local schools to include discussions on the theory of flight, weather, practical sessions on kite building and flying, and a poster design competition. This education programme, part of the FFVL’s Educ’en-ciel programme, will be run in partnership with local educators. The aim is to bring a real ‘air culture’ to young people and to encourage some of them, at least, to take up aerial sports.

* Film cameramen will follow the competition during 2008, providing not only a great souvenir for the participating pilot, but equally, a demonstration of the fantastic visual opportunity provided by this sport. The aim is to encourage greater press coverage for the World Championships in 2009 and to attract sponsors. The local tourist office will benefit from a film showing, literally, a bird’s eye view of the beautiful countryside.

* Providing interest for the general public are: opening and closing ceremonies with a parade of national flags, musical evenings, outdoor film shows, kite workshop, exhibitions, and flying oriented decorations around the town throughout the period.

A FIRST CLASS COMPETITION

The Pre-Worlds in 2008, is an FAI Category 2 ‘open’ competition, running from :
23rd June to 4th July 2008.
The 17th FAI World Hang gliding Championships is a Category 1 event, taking place from:
19th June to 4th July 2009.

* 120 pilots from at least 30 countries are expected to compete. Each team will be accompanied by a trainer, coach and supporters.

* Typically, the event takes place over two weeks, with training days, official practice day, opening ceremony, 12 competition days and a closing ceremony with prize giving, to present the FAI gold, silver and bronze medals to the individual and team winners.

* Safety is of the utmost importance. A Safety Director is appointed to coordinate information from meteorologists, expert staff and pilots observing the weather conditions developing during the afternoon, at launch and along the length of the course.

* The system of hooks and cables on the summit of Chabre, to attach the hang gliders while pilots are setting up and waiting to launch, will be expanded. A large team of assistants will be present on launch to help both pilots and organisers.

* A fully qualified and equipped medical team will be on launch each day, with access to local helicopter and rescue services as required.

* The task for the day is decided each morning, and is highly dependent on the weather conditions, especially wind speed and direction. Courses can vary between 40 and more than 200km; and can be out and return, triangles via several turnpoints, or simply a race to a distant goal field.

* The headquarters facility will be based at the salle des fêtes in Laragne-Montéglin town centre. Equipped with computers, printers, WiFi, office equipment, noticeboards and a pilot lounge, the area will provide a central location for pilots, press and organisers.

* The event website, www.chabre2009.com is in English and French, and features a wide range of information about the competition: pilot registration, rules, photos and video clips. It will be updated daily with results and reports during the competition.

GOOD FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND AN EXCELLENT LEGACY FOR THE AREA

Running these top-level, international competitions at Laragne-Chabre will bring substantial direct and indirect commercial benefits to the area and leave a valuable legacy for locals and visiting pilots.

* The arrival of 120 pilots, team leaders, coaches and supporters for two weeks in 2008 and again in 2009, represents a significant boost to business for local hotels, B&Bs, villas, and camp grounds over a 30 km radius around Laragne-Chabre.

* Since the success of France’s bid to organiser the World Championships was announced, three countries have chosen to hold their national events at Laragne in the summer of 2008. Each week-long event, will bring around 100 competitors plus organisers and supporters, to Laragne in July and August.

* This influx of visitors will have a positive impact on the revenues of the bars, restaurants and businesses in Laragne and throughout the local Sisteron and Buëch valley areas.

* The huge variety of sporting activities on offer in the area (climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, horse-riding, via ferrata and more) will be truly appreciated by pilots and their supporters.

* The economic benefits will continue beyond the competitions themselves. The publicity surrounding the events will attract more pilots to the area, keen to visit the site of the World Championships. The excellent flying and the warm welcome they receive will bring them back, year after year.

* After the Pre-Worlds in 2008, the organisers will conduct a survey among the visiting pilots, local businesses, and the tourist sector. The results will provide important feedback to help the area maximise its opportunities and prepare for 2009.

* This two-year initiative will leave a valuable legacy, reinforcing the importance of hang gliding and paragliding to the area and its economy, and establishing a greater awareness among the young and the local public.

* Tourist information on flying in the area (brochures, postcards, maps) will be improved, and a world class reputation for the site will be assured.

HANG GLIDING, PARAGLIDING & VOL LIBRE

Vol Libre, or Free Flying, perfectly describes these amazing aerial sports that requires no engine or motor, depending solely on wind, air currents and natural thermic activity. Pilots can launch unaided from hill tops, fly for hours, over hundreds of kilometres and land where they choose. With no noise, no engine and no pollution, this is truly an eco-friendly sport, requiring no specific infrastructure, just access to a suitable take off.

* Hang gliders feature an A-frame with a light weight, fixed-wing structure above. The pilot is suspended from this structure in a prone position. The pilot shifts his weight using the base bar of the A-frame to control air speed and turn direction. There’s no closer way to truly fly like a bird.

* Paragliders have developed from parachutes and comprise a flexible canopy with long suspension lines connected to a seat-style harness for the pilot. The entire aircraft weighs less than 20Kg and packs up into a rucksack, providing a much greater range of launch site options.

* Hang gliding and paragliding are adventure sports and while sometimes regarded as ‘extreme’ need not necessarily be so. Training is essential, and experience counts highly in minimising risk. Hang gliding is more ‘physical’ than paragliding, and both require high levels of mental concentration.

* Weather is a major factor in hang gliding and paragliding. The choice of launch site is dependent on the wind direction. Hang gliders can launch in wind speeds up to about 40km/hour. Paragliders are more limited to wind speeds less than 30km/hour.

* Weather-watching is a full time activity for pilots, both before and during their flight, as the weather can change rapidly, especially in mountain areas, with possible storm developments and increasing winds in the afternoon.

* Hang gliding and paragliding activities are generally governed by the national aviation authority, and pilots are generally required to hold a qualification and licence. Learning to fly hang gliders and paragliders requires several stages of training which should be undertaken with a school qualified by the national federation. Training covers three basic disciplines: theory of flight, meteorology and air law.

* Hang gliders and paragliders can be self-launched from hills or mountains, into air currents which may be a ‘dynamic’ steady breeze enabling soaring along a ridge or a coastal cliff, for example. In addition, thermals, essentially pockets of rising air, can be used by the skilled pilot to gain altitude. Evenutally, the pilot can leave the launch site to fly ‘cross-country’, seeking further thermals to regain altitude and extend the flight.

* Paragliders and hang gliders can also be launched by winch or aerotow from an airfield. Some of the greatest distances have been achieved over the ‘flat lands’ of the US, Australia and South Africa utilising this launch method.

* The first hang gliders were built over 100 years ago, but only developed into leisure aircraft in the 1960s. Technology and design improvements have brought today’s light weight and more aerodynamic structures. Competition level gliders today fly at speeds over 100km/hour in still air, with a glide ratio of 16:1. The world record distance flight is now 700km.

* Hang gliders have developed into three classes: Class 1 – Flexwing (pictured), Class 5 – Rigid wing (with carbon fibre leading edge), Class 2 – Swift or ultra light sailplane. The World Hang Gliding Championships taking place at Laragne, France in 2009 are for Class 1 flexwing Hang gliders.

* Paragliders, developed from ‘ram-air’ parachutes, became popular in the mid to late 1970s. Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in terms of design, materials and fabrication, to improve their performance. Glide ratios are now up to 10:1, and the top speed of competition level gliders is approaching 65km. Stability has also been improved greatly, and most manufacturers have a range of wings, suitable for beginner, recreational and competition pilots.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Organisers & Local Club contacts :

Event Director :
David OWEN - Tel : + 33 492 62 20 53 Email : worlds@chabre2009.com

Communication, Press, Administration :
Louise JOSELYN – Tel : +33 492 66 25 30 Email : worlds@chabre2009.com

French Federation de Vol Libre (FFVL) :
Web Sites : http://federation.ffvl.fr/ or http://delta.ffvl.fr/

Local authorities & tourism :
Web Site : www.laragne.net & www.ot-laragne.com

Communauté de Communes de Ribiers :
Francine CARRETERO (technicien) – Tel : +33 492 63 20 81
Communauté de Laragne :
Amelie KONING (technicien) – Tel : +33 492 31 28 19

Féderation Aeronautique International (FAI)
www.fai.org

Commission International de Vol Libre (CIVL)
www.fai.org/hang_gliding/

Competition Contact :
David OWEN – Tel: + 33 492 62 20 53 - Email: worlds@chabre2009.com

Press Contact:
Louise JOSELYN – Tel: +33 492 66 25 30 - Email : worlds@chabre2009.com

Tourism & accommodation contact:
Chantal BREMOND-MARTIN – Tel: + 33 492 65 09 38 – Email : ot.laragne@gmail.com

 

Association CHABRE 2009 Siège Social: Rebinelle,05300 RIBIERS Tél: +33 492 622053
Contact: worlds@chabre2009.com www.chabre2009.com