Home

CLUB INFO
Profile
General Info
Site Etiquette
Downloads

MEMBERS AREA
Member Database
WSHGC Mailing List
Drivers List
Minutes Archive

WEATHER
Weather Links
Gliding Forecast
Site Picker

NEWS
Events Calendar
Articles

COMPETITIONS
CMAC XC League
WA State Comps
WA Records
Results Archive

PICTURES
Sky Gallery
Photo of the Year '02
Bar-Mits-Vuh 2002
333 Week 2002
WASSC 2003

LINKS
Links Page

CONTACT
Email

5th Annual Barmitsvuh
by Krista Gaunt

The Night

It was a clear, crisp winter's night in August, the night they'd been waiting for so long, the 5th annual BarMitsVuh. They emerged from hibernation, donned tuxedos and evening frocks. These men and women of the Western Soarers Hang-gliding Club and Cloudbase Paragliding Club gathered together to celebrate the year's flying, and begin to dream again of returning to the skies. The tradition of the BarMitsVuh began 5 years earlier, as a celebration of the right of passage for novice pilots who had earned their stripes. It was also a good excuse to give out some other awards, tell some flying stories and have a few drinks with old mates. Gordon Marshall and Daryl Speight hosted the evening on August 11th, taking us on a journey of the previous year's highlights and lowlights. It was an unforgettable evening of laughter, tears and controversy......

Thrills, Spills and Controversy

Among the highlights were the combined paragliding and hang-gliding comps, including the State Soaring comps and the Cross Country League. Another highlight was the marriage of our good friends Sam and Nav Blight (prev. club President and Treasurer), on a 7000ft day! We reflected on the lowlights too; Sam "Chopper" Blight's brush with a Blackhawk, and Mike Annear's swan dive into Mount Bakewell, thankful to have them with us in spite of their near misses.

Club president Mark "Bomber" Thompson awarded the Cross Country League Trophies to their worthy recipients. Among the upsets were paraglider pilots Mike Dufty, Dennis Smith and David Humphries taking out not only the top three paragliding spots, but also first, second and third in the league overall, and their team winning the State Soaring Competitions. A big blow to the ego of the competition and league organisers, and Western Australian hang-glider pilots as a whole.

Dennis Smith receives award
from Mike Dufty

The Dali Larma award is an annual trophy presented to the WSHGC pilot who has made the greatest contribution to the club in the previous year. The award was presented by the previous recipient Sam "Chopper" Blight, to Mark "Bomber" Thompson. Bomber was instrumental in the organisation of the State Soaring competition, the Cross Country League, the winter lecture series, and the previous year's BarMitsVuh. Thanks Bomber.

The Bar Mits were awarded to four up-and-coming novice pilots this year; the author (Krista Gaunt), Geoff Smith, Gary Spranaitis and Graeme Sharpe.

The award of the Longest Flight of the Year Trophy caused a huge stir. The trophy had gone mysteriously missing for the past two years. Therefore, on this night of nights, it was decided that the trophy would be presented to the previous two winners, along with the current recipient. Mole (Greg Maloney) was teary-eyed when he received the award for his 1997 flight from Cunderdin to Southern Cross (240km), but bitterly disappointed when he was asked to return the trophy for re-award. Host Gordon Marshall was forced to wrestle for the prize, but came out on top. Next Karl "Ruckus" Ruckriegel was awarded the trophy for his 1998 200km flight from Wyalkatchem to Corrigin. Again, the disappointment at returning the trophy was overwhelming. Finally, the trophy for 1999's Longest Flight was awarded to Mark "Bomber" Thompson for 190km from Cunderdin to Bonnie Rock.

  
Brief holders of the Longest Flight Trophy
"Mole" and Karl Ruckiegel

With the formalities over with, the festivities went on into the wee hours of the morning. Only then, did a cry go up from the crowd..... The Longest Flight Trophy - IT WAS GONE!!!

How will it end?

At the end of the night, only questions remained.....

Who stole the Longest Flight Trophy?

Will Bomber with his new Litespeed be able to pip the unsinkable Mike Dufty at the post for top honours next year?

Will the next hangy couple to marry (Anna Munt and Stewie McVey) pick another top flying weekend to have us all in Margaret River? And if so, will it be on at Conto's??

All will be revealed at next year's WSHGC BarMitsVuh.