Preparing for Vertigo

Even if you're not into acro, most paragliding pilots have heard of the Red Bull Vertigo as the premiere acro comp. But this year, since Red Bull didn't renew their sponsorship, it's called the Vertigo Swiss Riviera and will have the same hype and excitement. Of course, all the best acro pilots in the world (who can afford the time and money to go) are competing.

July 15th was the deadline to register and pay fees. I’m just doing the solo comp which has 37 competitors, which I think I’m one of. I say “I think” because I haven’t received the final-final email that confirms it, if there is such a thing. The max they can take is 40 pilots which is a little nerve-racking because if 50 pilots paid and signed up, and 40 of them are WAPR (World Aerobatic Pilot Ranking) pilots, they’ll take them first. The rest are put on a waiting list. Ain't like an XC Comp, eh?

Since I don’t have a world ranking and I’ve planned a vacation around the Vertigo, I’ve been going nuts for the last week trying to find out how many are confirmed. Now, unless they let some squeak in, it looks like 37’s the number.

But it still doesn’t mean I’ll get to compete. (It’s that not-having-a-world-ranking-thing again.) Since they don’t know who I am, I’ll have to do a qualification/safety flight on the first day so they can be sure I won’t kill myself or look like a complete idiot. So, I’ll need to demonstrate that I can do a full stall, tail slide, SAT, wingovers, and helico while exiting safely which I’m sure I’ll have to do in one run. Last time I checked, I can do all these but who knows what will happen when the pressure’s on and the judges are watching.

If I get in, I may be the only one coming from the States.

Weird.