Forty eight hang gliders took to the skies over Forbes for three days over the recent long weekend. 

Competition director Curt Warren from Warren Windsports – a regular visitor to Forbes - said competitors could not have been happier. 

“It was awesome, very successful” he said.

“There was a lot of smiling faces and – great weather, great food and everyone stayed safe, we didn’t even break a fingernail.”

Pilots from Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and regional New South Wales traveled to Forbes for the contest. 

On the first day gliders flew about 26km to the north, the second and third tasks saw them go up to 52km to the south east. 

Winner from a close field over three days of competition was Andrew Luton from Canberra. 

The Big Spring weekend is a glider-specific competition for floater – or open crossbar – gliders. 

These are typically flown by novice gliders, but a range of entrants signed up for the weekend. 

“It was a bold move to try it a few years ago but it’s become very popular,” Warren said. 

“It keeps everyone in the same class of glider, it’s easy to fly and the fun factor is up.”