Media centre

Monday 11 Apr 2005

HIGH FLIER RICHARD TAKES TO THE SKIES

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While his working days are spent ensuring the safe and timely operation of trains between York and Scarborough, Richard Lovelace, a signaller with Network Rail spends his spare time running off the likes of Sutton Bank near Thirsk and taking to the skies. Richard is a signaller at Barton Hill between York and Malton, however, outside of the signal box his true passion is hang gliding.  The high point (pun intended) of Richard’s hang gliding career so far was representing Great Britain in the World Hang Gliding Championships in Australia earlier this year.  In his first world championship Richard came a very credible 59th out of 120 entrants.  As part of the competition Richard completed seven tasks over a 10-day period flying between 130 – 195km during each task which are race based and follow a set course often landing back where they started.  As the tasks are worked out on a global positioning system (GPS) competitors are able to mark out their route on maps before they begin flying.  When up in the air they use the clouds to climb higher and propel themselves before gravity pulls them back down. “It is like a game of chess,” says Richard, “Always looking at your next move.” For the moment it is back to the slightly cooler climate of Yorkshire as Richard prepares for the British Open Series which begins in May in Wales before heading to Croatia, for the pre European, and Spain, for the British Nationals, in the summer. Richard added: “To represent your country at your chosen sport is something that only a few people get to experience – for me it is a dream come true.  It just goes to show that if you put your heart and mind into something it can be achieved.” If you or your organisation would be interested in sponsoring Richard please contact him direct on 01904 492927.