Keep your eyes to the skies and get ready for “The Willi.”
One of Golden’s most exciting sporting events, The Willi Muller XC Challenge (known by the regulars as The Willi), is bringing both male and female hang gliders and paragliders from all over North America together for the week-long event, running from July 27 to Aug. 4.
“It’s named after Willie Muller, the guy who pretty much brought the sport to Canada,” said John McIsaac, one of the organizers of the event.
Since 1997 Golden’s Mount 7 has been the home of The Willi, which focuses on open-distance XC, and out-and-return flights. Even though this is a competition, The Willie is a fun and friendly experience.
Every day of the week the sky will be filled with hang gliders and paragliders flying from Mount 7 to the Golden Eco-Adventure Ranch.
“It’s a great event for Golden, and Mount 7 is renowned as such a classy, high-performance site,” said McIsaac.
McIsaac expects there to be a group of about 20 local pilots participating, and dozens will be travelling to Golden for the event.
Spectators are welcome to come up to the Mount 7 launch and watch. And if anyone happens to pass a participant along the road who landed in the wrong spot, you can pick them up, take them back to the Eco Ranch, and receive a ticket for a prize draw.
Participants are still welcome to sign up for the Willi Muller XC Challenge on Friday July 26 at the Eco Ranch.
