It is an annual event held under the auspice of the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia, a sporting body that administers Paragliding, Weightshift Microlights and Hang Gliding under the regulations laid down by the Civil Air Safety Authority.

Over seventy of the World's best hang glider pilots will compete in this prestigious event including last years winner Oleg Bondarchuk from the Ukraine.  Pilots from all corners of Europe, USA, South East Asia, South America and of course Australia's best, Kraig Coomber and Jon Durand Jnr will descend on the North East Victoria region mid-January to get familiar with the area and obtain some local knowledge.

The event tests the flying skills (and patience) of all the pilots who are given a pre-determined flight plan. Throughout the eight days of intense competition pilots accrue points for making goals, distance and landings, and the overall winner is awarded the coveted Bogong Cup.  

One day's competition could be a triangular course (80-150kms long) from the launch site at Mt Emu, over to Gundowring, across to Mt Buffalo and back to the Mt Beauty Airstrip.

The day's flight plan is fed into the pilot's GPS and at the conclusion of the hang gliders quest to score maximum points is down loaded. Competition flying is a really popular aspect of hang gliding. It not only lets them see how good they are compared to the next pilot, but also encourages budding champions to improve their skills by learning from the more experienced pilots' techniques.

Top class pilots, such as Davis Straub from America, who regularly compete in the Bogong Cup, earn a living from being professional comp pilots, and travel the world doing what they love best, while being paid for it.

Competition Director Carol Binder has announced next year's Bogong Cup, which is renowned world-wide, will be staged predominantly at the Victorian high country resort of Mt Beauty, between 22 -29 January 2005.

For more information contact Carol Binder Tel 03 5750 1507 mobile 0417 311 360 or Heather Mull 03 5754-4395  mobile 0437 134 573

More Information: www.fallscreek.com.au