I'm curious- competition is a lot of different things to people. Some want to know who the best pilot is. Manufacturers want to know how their equipment stacks up. Some people just find it fun, win or lose. Some go to comps to improve by flying with the best.
I'm asking-
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON THAT WOULD MAKE YOU ENTER A HANG GLIDING COMPETITION? _________________ Ryan Voight
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"I'm asking-
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON THAT WOULD MAKE YOU ENTER A HANG GLIDING COMPETITION?"
Perhaps if I were interested in pulling my flying experiences down to the same level as baseball, basketball, poker, or any of the mundane aspects of life where we're forced to compete.
Maybe if I were so incredibly bored with HG that I had to fill it with rules, waypoints petty arguements, massive egos and vanity.
What if I traded in the freedom to fly exactly how I want, when I want, and where I want? To give up opportunites to head in the direction I want to go; to stop and hang out with soaring birds for as long as I want; to circle whatever direction I damn well please, and to fly with pilots who actually care about me?
Would that be enough to tempt me into competition?
i do not need a comp meet to fly with the best, i flown with Ryan Voight, Paul Voight, Brian H., Ken M ,Jeff O'brien, Zach Majors, Dangerous Dave Gibson, Jonathan D. and many others, trouble is you will get to see them launch and get in a thermal with them for about one turn and then they are gone
it is fun to talk to them and they are very willing to talk with you !
i went to one meet because a friend invited me, but my competitive nature is leaving me with age, i have seen it so many times and have experienced it myself the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory, someone wins and feels the thrill of victory, only to be defeated by the next great competitor and feel the agony of defeat.
in the end it will always end up with seeing the agony of defeat, unless you quit after winning, i am tired of seeing the sad faces of those once great getting defeated and if you compete long enough it will happen.
i prefer to get with a lot of pilots, all of us doing well and celebrate the outcome, i do not like seeing someone left out, but in hang gliding it will happen, i have taken my turn and will in the future, i do not need to compete i just want to stay aloft and be with everyone, that is difficult enough for me considering the pilots that i fly with regularly
so i would enter a comp meet because all my friends are there and hoped they all did well ! _________________ Explore nature from the eyes of an Eagle
I was watching a local H3, Jen Copple, flying the Florida comps these last couple of weeks. She took her first mountain solo just a few months before I did. In terms of ranking, she came in last among the pilots who actually flew, but in terms of learning I bet she came in first!! It was pretty inspiring... the girl's got balls!!
I would join a comp to learn from the best... and to accomplish flights that I would otherwise not be able to accomplish. However when I look at those tow lines, and those gaggles... I don't imagine it would be as fun as any soaring day at one of my local sites flying with my buddies. If I want fun I'll go out to Salt Lake, or California, or King and free fly some new mountains... or better yet I'll go to Basano or some high Alp launch for a real far out adventure!! _________________ http://pjwings.blogspot.com/
Wow... I was going to jump on here and admit to what a freak I am (I know... I am truly a freak, but follow me) in that I don't like flying in comps... but then, there are others here stating as much themselves.
So perhaps not as freaky as I thought.
Now, I love comps.
I just don't like flying in them myself.
I love the atmosphere and I truly love towing for them. Comp towing is one of my favourite types of flying.. bar none.
One thing I've seen at comps however is there is a very different style of flying. Even between rivals, there is a "team flying" element.
You've got a lot of very skilled pilots all in the same air, trying to do the same thing. Man... that's a lot of information that you don't get anywhere else.
I love sharing the air with even one or two skilled pilots... and that's just boating around. Man oh man, if I were trying to go somewhere... holy crap that would be so valuable.
I asked the question because I'm considering entering my first (real) comps this year. In the past I've done things like the Kitty Hawk Spectacular, or the Ellenville Fun Meet (duration, spot landing, bomb drop)... but no 'big meets'.
Talking to people that compete regularly, the things they say they love about meets... don't seem to interest me at all
I hang glide to relax, and to have fun. The only reason I would COMPETE... is to WIN (or try to). Anyone that's flown in the Kitty Hawk Spectacular with me knows how hard I try. Hopefully I wasn't a jerk to compete against, because I'm still trying to have fun. But when it's my turn to fly, I'm focus on trying to WIN.
I just don't get that same vibe from most competitors in the current meets. Like Rooney said, it seems a lot more like everyone 'team flying' together, and the only "competition" is the final glide to goal. In a 80 mile task, that's a lot more teamwork than it is 'competition'...
I get that it's strategy... that it's not in your best interest to drop the other guys with you too early, because they help you be faster than everyone else... so it's as much using them to your advantage as it is team flying.... but I don't know... like I said, it just doesn't appeal.
My draw to meets, at least this is my own psycho-analysis of myself, is that I feel I've got something to prove. It's not easy growing up and being "Paul Voight's son"... that sets expectations pretty high. And then when many of the local pilots are getting into XC and labeling me a "fishbowl flyer", as if it's derogatory to stick around, fly with friends, and land in the LZ for a beer and an easy retrieve...
So- over the years I've collected experience and slowly am putting together a respectable kit of equipment that could make me competitive... or at least not put me at an immediate disadvantage... and now, I want to kick some ass!
I know I won't win, or even do well, for a while... having never done it before, I need to learn the format, learn the strategy, learn how to 'play the game'..... but I was recently talking to one of our World Team members, and he didn't seem to share that "kick some ass" mentality....
So I wonder... if people don't go to meets wanting to kick some ass (whether they do or not is a different story altogether)... why do they go?
I think I'm just on a different page than most other people... and that's probably why the current form of competition isn't that appealing... because it's not aimed at people with the same mentality as I have now....
comps just seem to be the best equiped places to fly. plenty of fellow flyers, multiple eyes on the weather, good launch crews, retrieval peeps, lots of beer, and all dem ho's.
Maybe you would be more interested in XC team flying.
In the version I've participated in, there's no particular format and certainly no competition. It's about going XC with your buddies and trying to help each other as you fly along. You try to stick together, making decisions on the fly, and rack up some miles. We chat on the radio, comparing climb/sink rates, finding thermals, or spotting the next soaring bird.
It's easier with pilots of similar skills and glider performance, but not essential. I've always enjoyed going XC with my buds - it can be alot of fun!
I asked the question because I'm considering entering my first (real) comps this year. In the past I've done things like the Kitty Hawk Spectacular, or the Ellenville Fun Meet (duration, spot landing, bomb drop)... but no 'big meets'.
Talking to people that compete regularly, the things they say they love about meets... don't seem to interest me at all
I hang glide to relax, and to have fun. The only reason I would COMPETE... is to WIN (or try to). Anyone that's flown in the Kitty Hawk Spectacular with me knows how hard I try. Hopefully I wasn't a jerk to compete against, because I'm still trying to have fun. But when it's my turn to fly, I'm focus on trying to WIN.
I just don't get that same vibe from most competitors in the current meets. Like Rooney said, it seems a lot more like everyone 'team flying' together, and the only "competition" is the final glide to goal. In a 80 mile task, that's a lot more teamwork than it is 'competition'...
I get that it's strategy... that it's not in your best interest to drop the other guys with you too early, because they help you be faster than everyone else... so it's as much using them to your advantage as it is team flying.... but I don't know... like I said, it just doesn't appeal.
My draw to meets, at least this is my own psycho-analysis of myself, is that I feel I've got something to prove. It's not easy growing up and being "Paul Voight's son"... that sets expectations pretty high. And then when many of the local pilots are getting into XC and labeling me a "fishbowl flyer", as if it's derogatory to stick around, fly with friends, and land in the LZ for a beer and an easy retrieve...
So- over the years I've collected experience and slowly am putting together a respectable kit of equipment that could make me competitive... or at least not put me at an immediate disadvantage... and now, I want to kick some ass!
I know I won't win, or even do well, for a while... having never done it before, I need to learn the format, learn the strategy, learn how to 'play the game'..... but I was recently talking to one of our World Team members, and he didn't seem to share that "kick some ass" mentality....
So I wonder... if people don't go to meets wanting to kick some ass (whether they do or not is a different story altogether)... why do they go?
I think I'm just on a different page than most other people... and that's probably why the current form of competition isn't that appealing... because it's not aimed at people with the same mentality as I have now....
But who really knows....
i was there when you were talking to that world class pilot, i could be wrong but Zach Majors, i loved his attitude, he seemed humble and full of love for the sport and the big picture of what comp meets bring to the table.
it would be hard to keep up with Paul, both in flying Skills and as a person, he also did well in raising his son, gave him the gift of flight and taught him everything he knows and knows his son will learn more than him and do better, the younger generations will improve it is a fact of life, you do not need to prove it to him or others, the only one left to prove it to is yourself,
good luck Ryan, i have no doubt you will do well, you have your reasons i hope it does not take away from the real reason you love to fly ! you inspire other pilots when you fly we don't need to read you in the headlines that you are great, we already see that in the way you fly, it really shows !
you will achieve what you are after if you stick with it long enough, you have your whole life in front of you and you are a very skilled pilot,
just don't get so high on it all you, you don't want to spend time with a normal joe named Cal , i will be cheering you on _________________ Explore nature from the eyes of an Eagle
I asked the question because I'm considering entering my first (real) comps this year. In the past I've done things like the Kitty Hawk Spectacular, or the Ellenville Fun Meet (duration, spot landing, bomb drop)... but no 'big meets'.
Talking to people that compete regularly, the things they say they love about meets... don't seem to interest me at all
I hang glide to relax, and to have fun. The only reason I would COMPETE... is to WIN (or try to). Anyone that's flown in the Kitty Hawk Spectacular with me knows how hard I try. Hopefully I wasn't a jerk to compete against, because I'm still trying to have fun. But when it's my turn to fly, I'm focus on trying to WIN.
I just don't get that same vibe from most competitors in the current meets. Like Rooney said, it seems a lot more like everyone 'team flying' together, and the only "competition" is the final glide to goal. In a 80 mile task, that's a lot more teamwork than it is 'competition'...
I get that it's strategy... that it's not in your best interest to drop the other guys with you too early, because they help you be faster than everyone else... so it's as much using them to your advantage as it is team flying.... but I don't know... like I said, it just doesn't appeal.
My draw to meets, at least this is my own psycho-analysis of myself, is that I feel I've got something to prove. It's not easy growing up and being "Paul Voight son"... that sets expectations pretty high. And then when many of the local pilots are getting into XC and labeling me a "fishbowl flyer", as if it's derogatory to stick around, fly with friends, and land in the LZ for a beer and an easy retrieve...
So- over the years I've collected experience and slowly am putting together a respectable kit of equipment that could make me competitive... or at least not put me at an immediate disadvantage... and now, I want to kick some ass!
I know I won't win, or even do well, for a while... having never done it before, I need to learn the format, learn the strategy, learn how to 'play the game'..... but I was recently talking to one of our World Team members, and he didn't seem to share that "kick some ass" mentality....
So I wonder... if people don't go to meets wanting to kick some ass (whether they do or not is a different story altogether)... why do they go?
I think I'm just on a different page than most other people... and that's probably why the current form of competition isn't that appealing... because it's not aimed at people with the same mentality as I have now....
But who really knows....
I think you will always be a fish bowler Ryan,,,, HaHa just joking! I think you will be a great XC competior some day if you apply your self. I too have never flown in the big meets mostly because it's not worth the money. I was traveling with the race and rally and It was a great time, great flying, socializing and sharing with my friends. I know lots of pilots that fly in the meets. Flying in today's meets is all XC flying at its best. So fly XC as much as possible to prepare for the meets. Fly XC with your buddies. Set goals and way points. learn from every mistake. Love learning. That is what these meets are more then any thing else. A bunch of friends flying XC . GET HIGH go far and fast together. That's what I try to encourage at E-ville. If you don't do it you will not get good at it. leaving the home air and heading out XC is always a challenge. If you love a good game there is none better.
Every dog has his day. We all have a competitive side and somebody wins in the end but much fun is had along the way.
I'm a recreational pilot (NCP) - for me, it is about the fun and camaraderie.
I vowed in 1986 (after my first tumble and structural failure, during a comp) not to compete again, but I've been going to the King meet for a few years, because I like the site and, most of all, the people.
I enter (i.e. pay the registration fee) to support the event, not because I want to be scored.
Unfortunately, I'll be doing the shoulder rehab thing this year and will miss the King meet. I'm registered for the Team Challenge in Tennessee ... hoping I'll be able to fly by then.
I'm just sayin' ... It's OK not to compete. _________________ 'Spark
H4/OBS - WW U2-160 & Falcon 2 195
P3, Skywalk Chili L
Last edited by Spark on Wed May 18, 2011 1:52 pm; edited 3 times in total
In the version I've participated in, there's no particular format and certainly no competition. It's about going XC with your buddies and trying to help each other as you fly along.
I'm kind of the other way... If we go fly with friends, that's me to a T. But slap the word competition on it, and I don't care how far I go as long as it's farther than everyone else
I guess I'm a jerk like that but that's what competition is to me- trying to best the others... _________________ Ryan Voight
BLOG: www.AIRTHUG.com
VIDEOS: http://vimeo.com/AIRTHUG
I just startedt fly 2 years ago and flew my first comp (King) last year. Learning at that level was a huge jump for me! With that said I think Jim said it very well as did Cal, you can't go into it with the thought of I'm gonna kick some ass!
I have never met you and know you are a really good pilot. You share your knowledge of the sport with everyone you meet. Come and fly a comp and see how you do at first. I'm sure you will do great! Don't come with that attitude of I'm Paul's son and I'm here to whip your ass. Instead come with the lets show people what you could learn from me (the Zach Majors attitude). I would venture to say that being humble and teaching at the same time would put you on top a hell of a lot faster than the Tada I'm here let the ass whooping begin!
So that said, I look forward to seeing you here at the King meet! I hope I get to spend some time with you in the air so that I can learn from you. and in the end I hope I get to say "ya know that Ryan Voight is killer"! Oh and I hope you do really well too!
Just sayin!,
Andy
Last edited by fireforthall on Wed May 18, 2011 1:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
Definition of COMPETE
intransitive verb
: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry <competing teams> <companies competing for customers>
The feeling I get is most people are about the first part- with the goal being, well, GOAL... The way I'm built, I'm more about the second part- the RIVALRY part...
I see now that current meets very much meet the definition of 'competition', and I just don't feel there's enough rivalry to my taste...
Did I already mention that I guess I'm just a jerk like that?
I grew up playing hockey... my favorite situations in hockey were when there was a loose puck exactly equal distance between me and someone else. Either had to get there first, or if you don't crush him and take it
I think I'm just too competitive for hang gliding compeition Maybe I should stick to fun flying.... I'm probably much more fun to be around that way _________________ Ryan Voight
BLOG: www.AIRTHUG.com
VIDEOS: http://vimeo.com/AIRTHUG
Last edited by AIRTHUG on Wed May 18, 2011 1:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
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