_{Rev. 3/21/2022}

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)

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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.

The Utah Cup

Past Winners

Utah Cup Leaderboard