Birdman all set to fly high in Worthing

Released: 17 Jun 2008

International Worthing Birdman
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July 2008
Worthing Pier

Location maps and directions all listed below.

The flight list for the intrepid birdman and birdwomen flyers off Worthing Pier over the weekend of 5 and 6 July 2008 is now full.

There are two serious flying classes where flyers could win £30,000 if they fly the requisite 100 metres and a comical class in this years first Worthing Birdman, originally run as the Bognor Birdman:

• The Leonardo da Vinci class, sponsored by Worthing Borough Council: a serious class for the self/team designed built craft, which fly on both the Saturday and Sunday. There are 4 entries for this.
  
  
• The Condor class, sponsored by West Sussex County Council: a serious class for modified hang gliders and similar craft, which again fly on both Saturday and Sunday. There are 6 entries for this.
  
  
• The Kingfisher class, sponsored by the Worthing Town Centre initiative: This is the comic, charitable/entertaining class which flies on Sunday only. There are 26 entries for this.

Both the Leonardo da Vinci and Condor classes will be taking off at on Saturday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm and with flying too from 2.50pm to 3.50pm on Sunday.

The Kingfishers will take off from 1.50pm to 2.50pm on Sunday only. (Note - all times approximate.)

All flights, which are electronically measured, will be relayed via a video screen on west side of the Worthing Lido, with the comic flyers having the chance to do a 'little jig' just before their flights to wet the audience’s appetite!

In recognition of the 30th year that Bognor Regis has run the event, (albeit the 30th year is in Worthing), the jackpot for both the Leonardo da Vinci and Condor Classes has been increased to a whopping  £30,000 and will be presented, if won!, with the International Birdman Trophy. However to win the £30,000 jackpot, one of the aviators must achieve the furthest flight over 100 metres over the prescribed course with two chances to win.

Other money prizes include £30 per whole second for the longest time aloft up to a maximum of £1,000. All entrants will get a souvenir certificate and those achieving a distance greater than a pre-competition benchmark leap set by an athlete will receive a special Wings Badge.

The Kingfishers attract the topical or comic entries, usually in fancy dress and often raises money for good causes. Entrants in this class will be competing for prizes of £500 1st, £250 2nd and £100 3rd. Points will be awarded for costumes/props, launch routine and crowd reaction. The Lin Trophy* will also be awarded for the ‘funniest moment’.

Sharon Clarke, event organiser and Town Centre Manager for Worthing, says:

“I am delighted that Worthing is able to hold its first Birdman event this year; and we are looking forward to a great weekend. The event is generating a real community spirit around the town with everyone talking about it. To deliver an event of this size in the timescale we had would not have been possible without the guidance, support and expertise of the International Bognor Birdman Trust, Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council who have all been fantastic and great to work with. The Worthing Town Centre Initiative is looking forward to Worthing being the perch of the Birdman event for many years to come.

Anne Cranham, Event Secretary for the International Bognor Birdman Competition, adds:

"In March 2008 it was necessary to seek a different venue as, for health and safety reasons, 80' or so was removed from the end of the Bognor Regis pier leaving an insufficient depth of water to ensure the safety of the competitors. So many prospective aviators had already applied with hopes of raising money for their favoured good causes that it was decided that the event should not be cancelled if a suitable alternative could be found.

"Fortunately Worthing stepped in, and a team from International Bognor Birdman have been working alongside Worthing

Town Centre Initiative to keep the Birdmen and Birdwomen flying this year from a new roost on Worthing Pier."

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