The Rat Race, first event of the US National Championship Series, wrapped up this past Saturday. OZONE Team Pilot, Cody Mittanck reports:
“The first installment of the US Nationals, the RatRace, went off without a hitch in Woodrat, Oregon last week. It was my 4th ratrace and by far the stiffest competition I’ve seen there. We had 7 tasks and nearly all of them were solid racing conditions: 6 m/s climbs and light winds. The carnage was reasonable with only a handful of reserve rides and tree rescues, and most importantly no one hurt. The winning spot was a close race between PWC pilot Francisco Mantaras and a new incredibly talented US pilot, Owen Shoemaker, both flying the Enzo 2. The last task was the decider and was a Nascar-style race with 3 laps around the Woodrat convergence zone. The leaders averaged 45 kmh! Somewhere along this highway in the sky, Owen had to throw his reserve and landed safely in a tree. Now relegated to second, Francisco maintained his composure finishing with the lead gaggle and in first overall! Well earned! The comp scene is alive and well in the US. Next stop Chelan Washington for the final battle.”
In the …read more
Source:: Ozone Paragliders