The Willi XC Challenge

Results so far... - Advanced PG: Brian Duchovnay is leading Nate Neufeld. - Intermediate PG: Robert Maguire is leading Toby Stier. No flights in for HG yet or other PG classes, and we know they've been flying. Flight cut-off is end of day Monday. All flight claims must must be in by 6:00 PM Tuesday. Final Results Wednesday.... Full results here: http://thewillixc.com/pilotinfo/scoring/

Hard work in the heat.

John and I (Randy) are putting all the spare time we have this week to good use on an important project at Skyview Ranch. Almost there, but John couldn't wait.

So far this week in Golden, the weather has been spectacular, but perhaps not for XC flying. Not a cloud in the sky and hot, with no fires reported. Have not heard of anyone going long, but the boating about the mountain has been great. Get out there, get high, be safe.

Hey pilots in the Virtual Willi, post your flights! Dannie is just aching to add you to the score sheet, and others are wondering who is doing well. Upload to XCanada and submit a landing form... http://thewillixc.com/pilotinfo/landingform/

Some of you may remember Florian Ghiban who was a regular at the Willi with Charles' Ontario crew back in the day. Louis Vasconcelos advises Florian passed away from cancer yesterday. He'd been flying just a few weeks ago. Get out there and fly friends. And Fuck Cancer!

Feels odd this week not getting ready to host a comp at Golden. But for a brief break, has been 27 years since that happened for me. Does seem like we made the right decision this year though given the ongoing uncertainty about C-19. Hope you and yours are healthy and doing what you need to do to stay that way. The Virtual Willi kicks off next Saturday. Why not get some friends together and challenge each other, wherever you happen to be. I know there are a few who plan to be... in Golden doing their best, and you can guarantee the weather will be great. Rules are here: http://thewillixc.com/virtual-willi-2020/. Sign-up by next Friday (it's free), then go fly, wherever you are, safely. You might just win a free entry to the 2021 Willi, the 25th, which we plan to make the biggest and best yet. Refunds for those of you who had paid the entry for this year were sent yesterday. Sorry for the delay. If you expected to get one and didn't see it, please get back to me. Take care, fly high, and do it safely.

The road to launch on Mt. 7 is apparently open. We're all hoping Muller Flight Park re-opens soon as well. But right now it is still closed. When and if it opens, retaining landing privileges at this LZ will require everyone follows the rules, and right now the rule is DON'T LAND THERE. The Willi Team has been working with Doug and Karen Keller to have their Skyview Ranch as an alternative LZ now and in future. You can land there now. But, please adhere to the few requests they have of us, including signing their waiver. You can find the info you need to use this LZ by going to this link... http://thewillixc.com/skyview-ranch/

The Willi is cancelled, but Golden and the Columbia Valley are still the same welcoming community many of us enjoy while we pursue our flying adventures. Businesses are opening as restrictions are lifted, and they could use our help. Respect whatever social norms and restrictions in place, but please consider spending your time and especially money there during this flying season. Here's a message and video from Tourism Golden that briefly features paragliding from Mt. 7... "...We would like to share a video with everyone that was recorded in 2019 and was planned to be released earlier this spring. As we all know the world has changed a lot in recent months and we are all still navigating new regulations, social norms and recommendations surrounding COVID-19. On Tuesday, May 19th British Columbia entered phase 2 of the provincial governments restart plan allowing businesses to start welcoming local customers again. Continued low or declining transmission rates means British Columbia will move to Stage 3 in June which would allow for travel outside of your community. When that time comes, Golden will be ready with the same passion and love for the outdoors as before." https://vimeo.com/385059738 See more

The Willi Team regretfully announces that we have decided to cancel Willi 2020, at least in the form it has taken for the last 23 years (see below). Community is at the core of what makes the Willi great, the community of pilots that comes together around our shared passion for XC free flight, and the community of Golden and the Columbia Valley that welcomes us to enjoy their home. In good conscience, we cannot expose either of these communities to unknown risks at this time.... This decision was not made easily. To our regulars, we will miss the best part of the Willi for us spending time and having fun with you. For pilots who planned to attend for the first time, please join us in future for what we assure you will be one of the best comp experiences you can have. To our sponsors and suppliers, we truly appreciate your continued support. I will be processing refunds in the next few days for all pilots who have registered and paid for this year’s competition. If you would like, let me know and we will carry your payment forward to next year. We will be back next year in the usual format for the 25th annual Willi. John wants me to assure you all that there will be bigger prizes, even better breakfasts, and more beer. There will be a Willi this year, different, but we just can’t imagine a year without one. We’re calling it Virtual Willi 2020. For more details on Virtual Willi 2020 and flying Golden this year, please go here... http://thewillixc.com/willi-2020-cancelled/ See you in 2021, in person, for the 25th Willi! Randy The Willi Team

We have just been advised that GEAR and Muller Flight Park, the primary LZ in Nicholson for Golden's Mt 7, is closed. No landings are permitted. Please respect their decision and the concerns of the larger community of Golden during these challenging times.

Getting stinking high in the 1997 Canadian Nationals at Golden. We launched from the Summit in those days, with a 30 minute carry-up! photo by midtoad.