Take Off, Eh!
Hello and welcome! This is the official website and your definitive information source for The Willi XC Challenge – a hang gliding and paragliding event held annually at the fantastic Mount 7 flying site in Golden, BC.
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The Willi XC Challenge 2023 is on!
This will be the 27th year of what started as a side bet challenge amongst a small group for flying friends and has grown into an annual XC pilgrimage for many. We are hoping good weather and great pilots come together to make this iteration one of the best ever. Here’s what we are planning right now…
- Live Event – registration, check-in, pilot meetings, scoring, etc. will be done on-site at Skyview Ranch.
- 9 Competition Days – qualifying flights by registered pilots will count from July 29 thru August 6.
- Back to Flying Golden – flights allowed only from Mt 7, with just over 300 kms of range to help you get your personal best.
- All Pilots Welcome – multiple classes of competition to challenge everyone to compete against their peers.
- More Fun – Morning breakfast every day of course and a nightly Bomb-Out Burger Bar.
- Usual Scoring – your best 3 qualifying XC flights during the competition, reported via XCanada and landing form submitted on a timely basis will count toward your score.
- Minimal Restrictions – Competitors are required to fly from an allowed launch, within the limits of their pilot qualifications, respecting all local site and air space restrictions.
- Tracking Required – you must fly with SPOT or InReach tracking enabled and registered with us.
Entry fee: $125 before June 15/$175 after that
Thanks all for your continued interest and participation. If you have questions for us, email flyfar@thewillixc.com and we’ll do our best to answer them. To register, click here.
The Willi Team
If you need encouragement…
Check out some of the action in this video from Jean Brossard who came all the way from New Zealand to fly with us again in 2016, after a 14 year absence.
Our Goals…
To run a meet where all type and level of foot-launched pilot have an opportunity to…
- Pursue their personal best in a competitive environment;
- Meet and enjoy the company of fellow pilots;
- Fly safely at all times; and,
- Above all, have fun.
Known by the regulars as “The Willi”, this co-ed hang gliding/paragliding meet began in 1997 and has evolved into a great annual get-together for pilots from across Canada, the US and elsewhere.
Video – Flying XC in Golden, BC during the 2013 Willi Muller XC Challenge – by Steven Semisch
With The Lookout on Mount 7 in Golden, BC as the launch point, the competition focuses on Open-Distance XC and Out-and-Return flights at one of the premier XC sites in North America. This is your best, safest and most fun opportunity to fly big distance in the mountains.
Don’t let the word “competition” deter you. The key word for this meet is “fun”. While the experienced pilots will (as usual) want to pit their skills against their peers, it’s all done in the spirit of good fun in a relatively low-stress environment. For the intermediate and veteran pilots out there, there’s a chance to build your XC chops at a big mountain, big air site. This is also an excellent opportunity for low air time pilots to gain some XC experience and learn from more seasoned pilots. You’re welcome even if you just want to hang out at launch, watch what more experienced pilots do, then take a sledder at the end of the day. In fact, our intent is to reward you for doing just that – safely and well. This event is a great opportunity to learn and build your confidence in a friendly atmosphere.
And it isn’t just about the flying. Golden is a great setting. We’re planning a full schedule of learning and social activities that will keep pilots, drivers and their families busy all week.
Be sure to check the News Updates on this site to get the latest event information.
Stay in Touch…
Send any comments and/or suggestions by email:
flyfar@thewillixc.com
Make a note of www.TheWilliXC.com and share/post this link to spread the word.
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https://www.facebook.com/TheWilliXCChallenge/
Thanks. See you in Golden!
