Rev. 3/21/2022
Past Winners
Utah Cup Leaderboard
About the Cup
The Utah Cup is a year-long cross-country soaring competition sponsored by the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA). All current members of UHGPGA are entered in the Cup. Pilots must be current members of the UHGPGA at the time of the flight to be eligible. Temporary or short-term membership, as well as annual membership, qualifies.
The purpose of the Cup is to recognize outstanding cross-country accomplishments, and to share the experiences and the knowledge gained. The format is unstructured and low-key. Winners receive no money or prizes, only a plaque and the respect of their peers. Actually, the real prize is the flying.
The Utah cup is composed of the following classes:
Open Class – All paragliders and hang gliders
Serial Class – EN-D three riser configured paragliders, including EN-C paragliders with an aspect ratio of 6.4 or higher, and equivalent HG
Sport Class – EN-C including EN-B paragliders with an aspect ratio of 6.0 or higher, and equivalent HG. The Sport class, as implied by the name, is designed for experienced pilots who are competing at a higher level of skill and performance than the Basic Class.
Basic Class – EN-A paragliders, and EN-B paragliders with an aspect ratio less than 6.0, and equivalent HG. The Basic Class is intended to give newer pilots, as well as pilots who prefer to fly more stable gliders, a chance to compete in XC at a more basic level.
Women’s Class – All female PG and HG pilots.
Senior Class – Flights by pilots 55 and older
The Utah Cup Trophies will be awarded at a club meeting to the UHGPGA hang glider or paraglider pilot who has had the longest Utah flight this year. It will remain in his or her possession for one year and will then be passed on to the next winner, and so on… The winning pilot’s name with the year and mileage are engraved onto the trophy. Separate awards will also be given for the longest qualifying flights of: Rigid Wing Hang Glider; Flex Wing Hang Glider; and Paraglider.
History of the Cup
The Birth of the “Cup”
In the summer of ’83, Larry Tudor, a local Utah pilot at the time, flew 221 miles from Walt’s Point (in the Owens Valley of California) to Austin, Nevada, thereby setting a new official world’s open distance record. He also won the Owens Valley Classic that year, which was one of the most prestigious and competitive XC contests being held at that time. Cross Country flying was rapidly catching on everywhere as the ultimate Hang Gliding experience. It was in ’80 or ’81 (the records are quite fuzzy prior to 1983) when the first long flights were being made here in Utah. Mike Tingey, Chuck Simms, and Tony Sanders had all made flights exceeding 100 miles from Graff Peak near Cedar City. In 1982, Larry Tudor and Gordon Boyce privately formulated and sponsored a year long local Utah XC contest which was called the “Utah Cross Country Odyssey” which would bring cash and/or prizes to the pilots entered who recorded the longest flights of the year. Additionally, all those entered received a custom Tee-shirt. As it turned out, 1982 was not a very good year in Utah (there were no flights over 100 miles), but the idea of a local XC competition did appeal to many members of the club (Utah Hang Gliding Association). Then in 1983, two avid local XC pilots (Ray Attig and Tony Sanders), came up with an extension to the idea and presented it to the club. The idea was for the club to sponsor an ongoing contest which would stimulate more local pilots to experience the joys of flying XC. This idea was adopted in 1983 by the club and was christened: “The Utah Cup”. It is still going today.
“The Utah Cup”
The purpose of the Cup is to act as a simple catalyst to get the typical “point rats” (you know who you are!) to go fly somewhere else for a change, cut the umbilical cord connected to the primary LZ, and then fly away! The Cup rules were designed to make it as safe and simple as possible. The format was to be “low-key” where you could launch from any site on any day. The only requirement was that you must launch from within the state of Utah. There will be no cash or prizes awarded to the winners. (Cash reward could push some pilots to take unnecessary risks, or might lure in outside professional killer XC pilots. Remember, this is an event by and for local pilots.) Then, if you were lucky enough to have made the longest flight overall, you would be given the prestigious honor of possessing the Utah Cup Trophy for the entire following year. The trophy was to be passed on from year to year (forever in theory). There were two classes established, “A” and “B”. To give less experienced pilots a fighting chance to win a plaque, “B” class could only be entered if you never had a flight over 50 miles. Anyone could enter “A” class. In 1995 a “C” was added for Paragliders. From 1995 to about 2006, there were two Utah Cups awarded each year, one for HG and one for PG. Since that time, it has reverted back to a single cup for the longest flight by either HG or PG. In 2015, three additional classes were added (Serial, Sport and Basic) to include both HG and PG flights.
Everything changes
It is actually amazing how little the Cup has changed over the years. Except for some minor tweaks to the rules, it is the same now as it was back in ’83. The only changes were as follows:
1.) When towing started to become popular, tow flights were made acceptable.
2.) When the F.A.A designated the airspace around the Salt Lake City Airport to be a terminal control area (TCA, now called “Class B” airspace), a rule was added that flights within this airspace would not be allowed as valid Cup flights.
3.) About 2017, three additional categories were added for D, C (sport), and A/B (recreation) and comparable HG, based on wing rating and aspect ratio.
4.) In 2019, Senior and Women’s Cup categories were added.
Utah Cup Winners
Year | Winner | Miles | |
2021 | Bill Belcourt(P) | 206 | Wales to Colorado City, AZ |
2020 | Bill Belcourt(P) | 174 | Monroe Pk to Bedrock, CO |
2019 | Chris Galli(P) | 227 | Jupiter to Riner, WY |
2018 | Bill Belcourt(P) | 194 | Porcupine Mtn to past Wamsutter, WY |
2017 | Cody Mittanck and Chris Galli (P) | 204 | Chalk Creek, UT to Sheep Mtn, CO |
2016 | Cody Mittanck (P) | 195 | |
2015 | Cody Mittanck (P) | 182.8 | |
2014 | Bill Belcourt (P) | 174 | |
2013 | Chris Galli (P) | 192 | |
2012 | Chris Galli (P) | 199 | |
2011 | Bill Belcourt and Chris Galli (P) | 173 | |
2010 | Bill Belcourt (P) | 159 | |
2009 | Bill Belcourt (P) | 134 | |
2008 | Bill Belcourt (P) | 114 | |
2007 | Jeff O’Brien | 219 | |
2006 | Lisa Verzella (HG) | 107 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 73 mi. |
2005 | Steve Rathbun | 160 | |
2004 | Steve Rathbun | 183 | |
2003 | Lisa Verzella (HG) | 128 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 51 mi. |
2002 | Steve Rathbun | 135 | |
2001 | Lisa Verzella | 156 | |
2000 | Heiner Biesel | 153 | |
1999 | Lisa Verzella (HG) | 151 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 30 mi. |
1998 | David Taylor (HG) | 81 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 54 mi. |
1997 | David Sharp (HG) | 135 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 35 mi. |
1996 | Bill Scott (HG) | 169 | Hal Franklin (PG) 60 mi. |
1995 | David Taylor (HG) | 178 | Ken Hudonjorgensen (PG) 67 mi. |
1994 | Charlie Baughman | 162 | |
1993 | Charlie Baughman | 178 | |
1992 | Charlie Baughman | 147 | |
1991 | Steve Rathbun | 111 | |
1990 | Bob Schick | 101 | |
1989 | Michael Boyle | 153 | |
1988 | Steve Rathbun | 139 | |
1987 | Tom Gardner | 122 | |
1986 | Jeff Roberson | 126 | |
1985 | Val Stephens | 112 | |
1984 | Jeff Roberson | 57 | |
1983 | Ray Attig | 88 |
P – Paraglider, H – Hang Glider
Utah Cup Leaderboard 2022
Class | Distance (miles) | Date | Pilot | Wing/Glider | Details | Tracklog |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open (The Utah Cup) | 193 | 5/15/22 | Bill Belcourt | Zeno | Junction to Altamont | Tracklog |
122 | 5/18/22 | Alec Page | Rush 4 | Horse Heaven to Thompson Springs | ||
120 | 4/24/2022 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | Horse Heaven to Escalante | Tracklog | |
57 | 3/18/2022 | Todd Crowley | Ozone Rush 6 | V to Mapleton | Tracklog | |
Serial Class | ||||||
Sport Class | 120 | 4/24/2022 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | Horse Heaven to Escalante | Tracklog |
Basic Class | 122 | 5/18/22 | Alec Page | Rush 4 | Horse Heaven to Thompson Springs | Tracklog |
57 | 3/18/2022 | Todd Crowley | Ozone Rush 6 | V to Mapleton | Tracklog | |
Senior (55 and over) |
.
.
Utah Cup Leaderboard 2021 (last year)
Class | Distance (miles) | Date | Pilot | Wing/Glider | Details | Tracklog |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open (The Utah Cup) | 206 | 6/27/21 | Bill Belcourt | Ozone Zeno | Wales to south of Colorado City, AZ | Tracklog |
200 | 6/27/21 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | Wales to south of Colorado City | ||
193 | 6/21/21 | Darren Verploegen | Gin Explorer | Wales to AZ | ||
166 | 5/27/21 | Austin Adesso | Gin Leopard | Brian's Head to past Huntington | Tracklog | |
163 | 5/31/21 | Cedar Wright | Ozone Zeolite | Wellsville Outlier East to Levan | Tracklog | |
163 | 7/3/21 | Chris Galli | Zeno | Horse Heaven to La Sals | ||
159 | 5/31/21 | Arash Farhang | Advance Omega XAlps | Wellsville Outlier East to Levan | Tracklog | |
159 | 5/31/21 | Bill Belcourt | Ozone Zeolite | Wellsville Outlier East to Levan | Tracklog | |
152 | 6/28/21 | Chris Galli | Zeno | Wales to Cedar City | ||
151 | 9/9/21 | Chris Galli | Zeno | Cove to Mountain Home, UT | ||
124 | 5/18/21 | Bill Belcourt | Ozone Zeolite | Chadwick to Santaquin | Tracklog | |
101 | 8/29/21 | Korey Curtis | Mantra M7 | Junction to Huntington | Tracklog | |
101 | 4/2/21 | Bill Belcourt | Ozone Zeno | Cove to Green River | Tracklog | |
86 | 4/2/21 | Korey Curtis | Delta 4 | Cove to Green River | Tracklog | |
Serial Class | 101 | 8/29/21 | Korey Curtis | Mantra M7 | Junction to Huntington | Tracklog |
85 | 10/2/21 | Josef Bostik | Supair Savage | Junction to Kanab | ||
43 | 7/18/21 | Todd Crowley | BGD Lynx | Corral Mtn. to Coalville | Tracklog | |
Sport Class | 200 | 6/27/21 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | Wales to south of Colorado City, AZ | Tracklog |
193 | 6/27/21 | Darren Verploegen | Gin Explorer | Wales to AZ | ||
174 | 7/6/21 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | Wales to Kanab | ||
96 | 10/3/21 | Jason Wallace | Alpina 3 | Junction to Levan | ||
86 | 4/2/21 | Korey Curtis | Delta 4 | Cove to Green River | Tracklog | |
68 | 6/21/21 | Malan Silva | Mac Para Eden 7 | Cove to Spring City | Tracklog | |
64 | 6/2/21 | Joey Jarrell | Delta 4 | V to Santaquin | Tracklog |
|
48 | 10/1/21 | Andrew Ross | Phil Allegro | Junction to Cedar Breaks | ||
47 | 5/11/21 | Jason Wallace | Alpina 3 | V to Provo | Tracklog |
|
5 | 5/11/21 | Jason Wallace | Alpina 3 | Provo to Provo (2nd flight same day after landing and re-launching) | Tracklog |
|
Basic Class | 83 | 7/3/21 | Todd Crowley | Mentor 6 | Mt. Edna to Ferron | |
64 | 6/27/21 | Dan McManus | BGD Base 2 | Wales to Kanosh | ||
64 | 9/23/21 | Andrew Ross | BGD Base 2 | Francis Pk to Spanish Fk | ||
64 | 5/31/21 | Joey Jarrell | Mentor 5 | V to Santaquin | Tracklog |
|
44 | 9/4/21 | Andrew Ross | BGD Base 2 | Francis to North Side | ||
37 | 4/18/21 | Joey Jarrell | Mentor 5 | Grandeur to Springville | Tracklog | |
31 | 6/27/21 | Alec Page | Rush 4 | V to the Point | Tracklog | |
Senior (55 and over) | 206 | 6/27/21 | Bill Belcourt | Ozone Zeno | Wales to AZ | |
101 | 8/29/21 | Korey Curtis | Mantra M7 | Junction to Huntington | Tracklog | |
86 | 4/2/21 | Korey Curtis | Delta 4 | Cove to Green River | ||
64 | 6/27/21 | Dan McManus | BGD Base 2 | Wales to Kanosh |
.
.
Utah Cup Rules
- The Utah Cup is a year-long cross-country soaring competition sponsored by the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA). All current members of UHGPGA are entered in the Cup. Pilots must be current members of the UHGPGA at the time of the flight to be eligible. Temporary or short-term membership, as well as annual membership, qualifies.
- The purpose of the Cup is to recognize outstanding cross-country accomplishments, and to share the experiences and the knowledge gained. The format is unstructured and low-key. Winners receive no money or prizes, only a plaque and the respect of their peers. Actually, the real prize is the flying.
- The Utah cup is composed of the following classes:Open Class – All paragliders and hang gliders
Serial Class – EN-D three riser configured paragliders, including EN-C paragliders with an aspect ratio of 6.4 or higher, and equivalent HG
Sport Class – EN-C including EN-B paragliders with an aspect ratio of 6.0 or higher, and equivalent HG
Basic Class – EN-A paragliders, and EN-B paragliders with an aspect ratio less than 6.0, and equivalent HG
Senior Class – Pilots age 55 and older on paraglider or hang glider - The Utah Cup Trophies will be awarded at a club meeting to the UHGPGA hang glider or paraglider pilot who has had the longest Utah flight this year. It will remain in his or her possession for one year and will then be passed on to the next winner, and so on… The winning pilot’s name with the year and mileage are engraved onto the trophy. Each pilot can win only one competition class. Separate awards may also be given for the longest qualifying flights of: Rigid Wing Hang Glider; Flex Wing Hang Glider; and Paraglider.
- The flight must start in Utah but may end anywhere.
- The flight must not violate Class B airspace.
- Flight details are sent to the UHGPGA Secretary, who will score the Utah Cup. The Utah Cup is informal and run on the honor system. Flight verification is not required, but if you have it, it will help dispel any doubt cast upon your claim.
- Flight distance is measured in a straight line from launch to landing, rounded down to the nearest mile.
*Image Courtesy of Loren Cox – All Rights Reserved