The Rat Race

While I was hanging out in Dallas, Erik was in Southern Oregon competing in a paragliding competition called The Rat Race. Erik and I are both paragliding pilots and have been wanting to get into competing to have fun, to meet other pilots and to learn from the big boys. Needless to say, I'm not flying right now. So sad. But at least Erik was able to have an amazing week flying.

The Rat Race is a 6 day cross country paragliding competition. The officials set a course each day that the pilots have to follow. Everyone flies with a GPS which marks their course as they fly. At the end of the day, the pilot that crosses each waypoint along the course and reaches goal (the finish) first wins the day. You accumulate points every day and the pilot with the most points at the end of the week wins the competition.

There were around 90 pilots competing this year, 6 pilots from San Diego. Our friend Phil finished in 1st place in the serial class, Gary finished 4th, and Erik finished 10th! Erik was especially honored because this was his first competition. Congratulations Erik!!! San Diego was well represented with 3 pilots in the top ten!

This is the course for the day.

The view from the air of launch.

Look at all those pilots!

Circling in a thermal with other pilots.

Erik flying over the valley.

At the end of the day, you pack up and head to the nearest winery!