This article by Patrick O'Meara was first published in the Wimmera Mail-Times on 4th of February 2008.
VICTORIA'S leading gliders descended on the Wimmera on Saturday for the annual Wimmera Gliding Week competition. More than 40 gliders from across Victoria are competing in the annual event, taking off from 1pm daily. Victorian Gliding Association president Ian Grant said the competition was always action-packed. "The racing and the competition between the pilots are always highlights," Mr Grant said. "It is a long established tradition for the pilots, they are always keen to get out there and go as far as they can." He said the launching of the pilots was interesting viewing.
"You have 35 gliders lined up and they are towed off together and then they are up in the air," he said. "They are out of sight until they come back at the end of the day."
Mr Grant said the sport appealed to him for the feeling of freedom it provided. "It is all about utilising the weather, and every day is different," he said. "It is literally soaring like an eagle." Horsham Flying Club president Michael Sudholz said the competition provided the club with a chance to experience the Wimmera's conditions. "The terrain here is among the best in Victoria," Mr Sudholz said. "It is open plain country with plenty of spots to put down if you get into trouble. "There is a lot of thermal activity, and the winds from the Grampians encourage all sorts of flying conditions." Mr Sudholz said the competition between the gliders would be fierce. "In general the sport requires very high skill levels," he said. "Some of the top competitors in the country will be competing." He said the public was invited to attend the event. "People are more than welcome to view the launches," he said. "Pilots will be around in the morning, so if anyone is interested in finding out more about the sport there will be plenty of people around to talk to." The eight-day gliding competition has been at Horsham Aerodrome for the past 30 years.