ICARUS CUP, France
Posted by Jill Bowen on Sat 14th April 2007 at 11:44 PM, Filed in Europe, September
Fly me to the moon…or maybe just a few feet into the air – if I’m very lucky!
The Icarus Cup (Coupe Icarus) is held at the end of each summer at St Hilaire du Touvet – this year 20th September – 23rd September 2007. A truly spectacular event, the biggest free flight event in the world that attracts over 8,000 pilots and 75,000 visitors each year. Totally motor- free bids for the skies that attracts the most amazing ‘flights of fancy’
Competitors spend months designing their elaborate machines, attached to para-gliders. The judges award points for the length of the flights, the ergonomics, and the design of the machine. The competition for the best disguise is the highpoint of the Coupe Icare. Just imagine a six metre long dragonfly, a four metre high Eiffel Tower and a giant magic carpet…. this will give you an idea of the imagination of the competitors! We will have to wait until September to what incredible ideas this year’s entrants have in store for us, each year they are more complex and astounding. No wonder the population increases from its normal 1300 inhabitants to 20 times this amount during the four days of the event!
Not only will you see these amazing contraptions, there are aerial acrobatic displays and hot air balloons...why not take to the skies yourself in a balloon for a chance to see the surrounding Alpine scenery.
This fun meeting includes; hang gliding and paragliding competitions, as well as exhibitions of stunt kite flying and parachute jumps, bungee jumpers and trampolinists showing off their skills.
The French Air Force treat the crowds with spectacular aeronautical displays, while indoors there is also a film festival with screenings of over 60 free flight films covering various sports from all over the world.
Children are not forgotten as there is an area especially for them, with rides and demonstrations, plus an educational area explaining how all the machines are kept in the air.
If you are not too exhausted from the days’ events, there are parties in the evening with live music and entertainment. In the exhibition area there are always plenty of experts on hand throughout the three days to offer advice on the sport, and stands tempting you to buy new equipment.
A great fun event for ages…. you don’t have to participate!! Just go to see the fantastic spectacle, and wonder at the imagination of the competitors…. are they brave, foolish, mad? One thing is certain they certainly all have an amazing ‘Joie de vie’! There is no limit to the enthusiast’s ingenuity and inventiveness…but will they fly on the day!!! Go see for yourself.
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