This article was first published in the Wimmera Mail-Times on 31st of January 2003
GLIDER pilots from around the globe will make their annual pilgrimage to Horsham when a prestigious week-long competition takes to the skies tomorrow.
Gliders from Spain and Germany, as well as from SA, NSW, Queensland and across Victoria will converge on the Wimmera for the 38th annual Horsham Week event.
Organisers and pilots have rallied over the past year to keep the event on the gliding community's national calendar.
They had feared last year's event would be the last because of waning numbers.
Soaring club vice-president Joe Luciani said 12 months of planning and support had given the competition the lifeline it needed to continue.
"It's a well-regarded competition and the vast majority of participants have wanted it to keep going," Mr Luciani said. "We did think we'd achieve about 30 participants but that appears to be climbing, so much so that it might be possible to expect 35 or 40."
Mr Luciani said the event would also incorporate a Victorian state championship competition.
Racing over the eight days will include aerial circuits ranging from 150 to 700 kilometres.