Chilbolton glider pilot Liz Bertoya Sparrow launches her attempt to win World Gold when the Women's World Gliding Championships begin thisweek (Wednesday, July 11) at Romorantin in the Loire Valley.
For the next week and a half, Liz will be racing at speeds of up to 200kmph against the top women pilots in the world. Each day she will fly over courses of 100km to 500km or, if the weather conditions are favourable, even further.
Liz is an experienced international competitor. This will be her third appearance in a World Gliding Championship, having made her debut in 2003 at Jihlava, in the Czech Republic when she finished in a highly creditable 6th position.
Liz's selection for the British team comes after an excellent season last year. She was the leading lady in the 2006 Club Class national championships and finished the season as the UK's top ranked woman pilot.
In preparation for the World Championships, Liz has been training in Spain with UK coach Jay Rebbeck, himself a World Championship silver medallist and ex-World Junior Champion.
The championship continues until Saturday, July 21.
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