The Open U.S.A. Championship took place in Sun Valley, Idaho in the end of August. And because at least one Czecho-Slovak has to take part of "U.S. Nationals", it was me who arrived the last and this year. Sun Valley belongs to very hard terrain a perhaps that's why just 93 pilots, mainly from The U.S.A., Canada and The South America, took part in the competition. A desert near high vertical distance (3.500 meters) mountains forms excellent conditions for flying. There is no rarity to reach a height of 5.000 meters at a speed of 7m/s there.

    Unfortunately, the power of the local thermal activity came to light the first training day and one of competitors finished his flight inside a helicopter flying to a hospital. As it proved later, it was the first and the last serious injury of the whole race. During seven racing days five splendid tasks 74-124 kilometrs long were accomplished. Although it's true, the second task 124 kilometers long was flown in extremely strong wind and a half of pilots better went down the hill by cableway. A remonstrance was refused and points were counted to the total results. We can mention the last triangular task 85 kilometers long which spanned three turning points. Ceilings reached over 6.000 meters that day and some pilots had to be penalized because of a violation of the airliners space.

    The young Dadam Matt (Gin Boomerang Sport) became the total winner of the competition. I personally succeeded in the third task when I reached the second position.

    If you set off for Sun Valley to fly your paraglider, I should suggest some oxygen to bring with you or to acclimatize yourself to higher altitudes at least. The air at a height over 5.000 meters is really rarefied and it's quite hard to breath.