While most punters cheered their horse home on Melbourne Cup Day, Jimmy Jimmy from Portland took to the air for a different thrill.
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Yes you read that right, his name is Jimmy Jimmy, or at least that’s what he told the Lithgow Mercury.
Lithgow residents with a keen eye would have noticed Jimmy with his orange and white parachute gliding in the skies above town before he eventually touched down on Marjorie Jackson Oval at around 3.30pm.
He had launched from Mt Blackheath at around midday and enjoyed a long flight, which included taking in the sights of Lake Wallace in Wallerawang.
Jimmy said he used thermal imaging to ensure he stayed in the warmer rising air to continue his flight.
“It was pretty good, the climbs were going up about five or six metres a second at the strongest points and a similar sink,” he said.
“It was nice… I flew over to Wang Dam and back here.”
A member of the Blue Mountains Hang Gliding Club (BMHGC), Jimmy has been paragliding for around nine years.
Although his trip to Marjorie Jackson covered a fair distance, Jimmy said gliders had been known to travel as far Mudgee after taking off at Blackheath.
The flying site at Mt Blackheath is the main location used by the BMHGC and is situated close to 1100 metres above sea level.
“Pretty much any time there’s a westerly wind at Blackheath there’s usually someone flying, especially on weekends,” Jimmy said.
He also gave a simple answer when asked what he liked about paragliding.
“It’s fun.”
The BMHGC was founded in 1987. The club website said it “is committed to providing safe and regular flying opportunities throughout the Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands... for it’s members, from novice through advanced.”
“Regular activities include monthly club competition days, novice days, towing days and heaps of social flying. We also hold regular trips away to other well-known flying areas.”
For more information visit bmhgc.blogspot.com.au.