The North Battleford Cameron McIntosh Airport can be the host for more than just failed balloon jumps and this month there will be proof of that.
June 15 to 25, the airport will be the host site for the 2010 Canadian National Soaring Contest.
Weeks ago, Phil Stade of the Alberta Soaring Association, a partner host with the Soaring Association of Saskatchewan, was out at the airport filling gopher holes and making sure the grounds were safe and ready for the national event.
Monday, 24 glider pilots were registered and more are expected before they take to the sky.
The pilots, who span from coast to coast, will be vying for a spot on the Canadian National Soaring Team. The team is selected on results from the national gliding contest in the previous three year's. This years qualifiers will have a chance to compete in the first World Contest held in North America since 1991, which will be held in Texas.
Top competitors from past national events and World Gliding Competition competitors will be taking to the sky over North Battleford and it is expected the best of what Canada has to offer will be in attendance.
Soaring competition winners are determined by when competitors complete a task each day. The gliders circle in the air above the airport and after all the gliders registered are pulled to the sky by tow planes, they all start the course at the same time. The glider that finishes in the fastest possible time, but not finishing sooner than a minimum set time, is the winner. The best overall score after all the competition days are complete is crowned the champion.
Tasks are often set at a minimum of 250 km and three hours time and, with a number of different types of gliders registered, it makes for an exciting race.
For those looking to catch some action at the airport, competitors will take to the sky Sunday and Monday for practice days. The competition gets started Tuesday with the gliders being pushed out to the launch area around noon and eventually taking off on the course between 1 and 2 p.m.
Previous day results and daily task will be provided to any spectators who have an interest in the event and volunteers will also be around to help fill in the details of the event for those who are rookies to gliding.
Most gliders can be tracked live on the Internet during the daily flights.
Most of the pilots will be camping at the airport and the skies should be filled with gliders, meaning the Battlefords should be booming for 10 days of national competition.
