Welcome!

Posted by Keith Pickersgill.
Welcome to our very first post!

This is the blog for the South African 2009 Powered Paragliding team participating in the 2009 Powered Paragliding World Championships.

Where: in the Czech Republic, at the airfield outside the town of Nove Mesto nad Metuji (roughly translated to: New City on the Metuji River).
When:
Depart South Africa: Friday 24 July 2009 (via Istanbul and Prague)
Official Practice Days: 27-29 July 2009
Competition Days: 30 July to 8 August 2009 (10 days)
Prize-giving & Closing Ceremony: 9 August 2009

Each pilot scores for himself, but also for his/her national team. Individual champions and runner-ups are announced for each class, plus a national winning team and runner up countries in each class.

There are Four "classes", where each class may have 6 competitors (maximum 5 males), though seldom are the classes filled.
The SA team comprises 11 members:
Alison Gibson - Team Manager (not competing)
Class PF1 - Foot-launced, Solo
Tony Gibson (Team Captain)
Keith Pickersgill
Callie Calitz
Martin Calitz
Ricky Boyd
Pieter Wolmarans
Class PF2 - Foot-launced, Tandem
Anton Naude (Pilot)
Mias de Klerk (Navigator)
Class PL1 - Trike-launched, Solo
Paul Jackson
Riaan Struwig
Class PL2 - Trike-launched, Tandem (empty)

Sponsorship opportunity!
In 2007, the SA team had extensive sponsorship to compete at the Beijing World Championships and the sponsors enjoyed extensive media coverage including several SATV inserts.

This year, we have been unable to secure any sponsorship as yet, but are keen to discuss sponsorship opportunities and media coverage with interested parties. Please email sa2009ppg@gmail.com if you have any sponsorship proposals or suggestions.

More info available at (official website for event)
http://en.wpc2009.cz

All competitors will have access to an intranet for regular posts and updates from the organisers of the event. This is mirrored at: http://flymicro.com/wpc2009 in case you wish to follow.

Kindly forward this blog address to any friends, family or colleagues that might be interested.

The address to forward is: http://SA2009PPG.blogspot.com

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