Louis Tapper of NZ leads on Day 3
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Bir Billing, October 30
In the wake of overcast skies and lesser thermals, the task on the third day of the India Open 2018 Paragliding Championship was curtailed to 46.5 km. Although several paragliders objected to it, the decision was taken by a committee of experts on the basis of weather conditions in the area.
On the first day on October 28, the task was 69 km. However, paragliding events were suspended on the second day due to President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Kangra.
On Day 3, Louis Tapper of New Zealand was leading the board by finishing the task given in 2 hours 14 minutes and 46 seconds. Debu Chaudhary from India secured the second position (2 hours 15 minutes and 17 seconds) and the third spot was occupied by Sergey Udot of Russia (2 hours 16 minutes and 45 seconds). Matt Senior from New Zealand, a well-known paraglider who had finished at top on the first day, was lagging at the 21st position.
SDM, Baijnath, Vikas Shukla said the tasks were completed by all paragliders by the evening. No untoward incident was reported, he added.
He added that a large numbers of tourists had also arrived at Bir Billing to enjoy tandem flights from Billing to Bir. As many as 150 pilots had been recognised by the Tourism Department to provide tandem flight facilities to the tourists.
He further said illegal buildings that had come up coming in the vicinity of the landing site in Bir and take- off site in Billing were posing a threat to the paragliding activity.
He said notices for the demolition of illegal structures had already been sent to the owners.
