This article by was first published in The Wimmera Mail-Times on 8th of February 2005.
SPANISH pilot Pepe Velero was among about 40 gliding in the sky north-west of Horsham yesterday as annual Horsham Week competition kicked off.
Unsuitable weather prevented pilots getting into the sky on the first scheduled day of competition on Saturday.
Contest director Peter Buskens from Bacchus Marsh said other pilots travelled from Queensland and across Victoria for the prestigious eight-day event. Wimmera Soaring Club hosts the event at Horsham Aerodrome.
"We've had another good turn-out," Mr Buskens said yesterday.
"But we're looking for weather that's a bit warmer. Ideal conditions are 30-plus degrees without too much wind."
Three classes of gliders compete in the event and organisers set different tasks each day, depending on weather.
The field included Australian representative glider pilot Tony Tabart from Corangamite Soaring Club, who competes at Horsham Week each year.