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Event info

The Midwest Corn Alps in Cosmos Minnesota. We are inviting both Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots to compete in some of America's best flat land flying!
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Flying site

Central Minnesota provides world class big air and long distances in the Bold North.
Cosmos, although a small town, has tow roads of gold. You would be surprised how few 2 mile sections of rural road are unobstructed by power lines and trees.

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Event info

The Midwest Corn Alps in Cosmos Minnesota. We are inviting both Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots to compete in some of America's best flat land flying!

Flying site

Central Minnesota provides world class big air and long distances in the Bold North.
Cosmos, although a small town, has tow roads of gold. You would be surprised how few 2 mile sections of rural road are unobstructed by power lines and trees. Cosmos has some of the best. We utilize both N/S and E/W gravel roads for truck tow/platform launches. These are quiet, county roads lined with corn, soybeans, beets and hay for easy bailout LZ's as far as you can see.
Launch and dedicated LZ's are both at 1,112 FT ASL or 339 M and cloud base ranges from 5K to 8K AGL in July.
The thermal activity can be strong over the rich black soil and farmsteads make for easily found trigger points.
The Cross-Country potential is fantastic with flights often between 25-50 miles. However in 2017 our club put some stakes in the ground as far out as 99 and 179 miles!
Most pilots will find lift by 11 Am or noon and some will squeak out the last bit of rising air at 7 PM. These flying conditions are appropriate for H2/P2 pilots yet will challenge even the top pilots.
Minnesota is fertile farm country with small towns dotting the landscape. You will always find a easy LZ within reach and probably only be a short walk to a pub.
Come and dial up your Personal Best for distance in the Bold North.
FOOD: You are responsible for all meals except dinner on Saturday night after the awards ceremony. The Space Festival in Cosmos is July 17-20 and they have a breakfast buffet on those days. There is also a Casey’s General Store about 2 miles from HQ.

RETREIVALS: We will retrieve you within a 5 mile radius for relaunch if needed within the launch gate. There will be a retrieve for all pilots who make goal and along the course line on the way back from goal. Any retrieves needed way off of the task will need to be responsible for finding their own way back to HQ.

Selection and entry fee

SELECTION: Pilots who have a rating of P2, H2 or higher. Must be a current USHPA member. Please provide your own tow bridal. Paragliding tow bridals are available for sale ($60) Spectators of all ages are welcome.

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee for the competition is $300/week and is required in full to complete your registration and to secure your entry.
*If registering between July 1-18th, fee is $350.00

PAYPAL: sdiparagliding@yahoo.com -or- Cash--no checks.

Registration fee includes: Free tows during launch times for the duration of the competition, Retrievals along course line & goal, T-shirt & Closing ceremony dinner and entertainment.

***Make sure your USHPA membership is current

Prize fund and scoring categories

AWARDS: will be given out for top three place winners in both Paragliding and Hang Gliding competitions.

SCORING: Standard comp software will be used for scoring.

TASKS: We will have a task committee made up from local pilots. Tasks will vary from race to goal/there and back/triangle all depending on the wind. The task will be set by 10am each day.

General schedule

Tuesday July 17th
6:00PM-8:00PM Onsite check-in/registration

Wednesday, July 18th
8:00am-11:00am - On site check in/registration
9:00AM Mandatory Safety Briefing

Wednesday, July 18th - Saturday, July 21st
10:00AM daily task briefings (time subject to change)
10:30 AM - 4PM - Launch Window
4 PM - 9PM - daily track log downloads and scoring

Saturday, July 21st
8PM - Awards, BBQ Dinner, Music and Beer!

Wednesday, July 18th at 10am is the official start of the competition. Pilots are welcome to come a few days earlier to Register and have a Practice day on Tuesday, July 17th. The official end of the competition is Saturday, July 21st with Sunday being a back-up day in case of inclement weather. Sunday can also be a fun fly day if not needed for a make-up day.

Daily schedule

10:00AM daily task briefings (time subject to change)
10:30 AM - 4PM - Launch Window
4 PM - 9PM - daily track log downloads and scoring

Accommodation and Activities

AIRPORT: MSP airport is about 80 miles east of Cosmos. You are responsible for your own transportation from MSP to Competition location. Some pilots get in contact with other pilots to car pool.

HOTEL: There are a variety of hotels in Hutchinson, MN or Willmar, MN. Both cities are about 20 miles from Cosmos. Provide your own transportation to and from.

CAMPING: There is primitive camping space for tents (and camper parking) available at HQ. 1 portable toilet on site. 1 outdoor shower available. You are responsible for providing your own power for any electronic devices you have.

STORES AND RESTURANTS
Casey's General Store - 320.877.7628
Convenience store open 5:30am to 11:00pm daily, gas including diesel available at pumps 24 hours daily, donuts, subs, pizza order phone line 320.877.9022

Mug Shots Bar & Grill - 320.877.7525
Serving lunch and dinner, private party and event hosting, on and off-sale liquor. Open Monday-Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-1am. Bike Nite every Thursday 5-8. Closed Sundays. Owners Marvella & Brent Miner.

AVAILABLE TO BUY AT HQ: We will have tow bridals ($60) extra T-shirts ($15) Safety Links (free) available for purchase at HQ. Cash Only. T-shirts from past years will be available for purchase ($10). We will have coolers with ice cold water at HQ each morning for pilots to use.

SAFETY LINK: You may use a safety link or not, the choice is yours. We have some available for free.

Because Cosmos is having their Space Festival the same weekend, we will have tandems available each morning to the residents of Cosmos from 8am-9am. $50/flight.
You are welcome to join the Space Festival activities at any point Friday through Sunday!

How to get here

Tent camping is available at HQ.

Google Cosmos, Minnesota! From the center of town - the intersection of Minnesota State Hwy 7 and MN State Hwy 4 proceed North on Hwy 4 for 2 miles, turn left (west) on 37/150th St and it's about 1 1/4 west - the second farmstead on the right (north) .
51680 150th St, Cosmos, MN 56228

Cosmos Township, MN, USA
Cosmos, MN United States

Downloads

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Organizers

Minnesota Free Flight Club
Anna Kayfes
Organizer
Jedidiah Scharmer
Assistant Organizer

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