Paraglider Bogdan to sail into history books
A PARAGLIDER who lives in New Ross will become the first person to represent Ireland at European and world paragliding championships this summer.
Bogdan Bailka, 41, has lived in New Ross for the last 13 years. The Polish national was called to represent Ireland in April of last year and is the only Irish paraglider to compete at major competitions.
Reaching speeds of 100 km/h as he flies, Bogdan is competing in the European championships in Portugal in mid-July.
He recently completed a record flight from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. Bogdan covered the total cross country of 115,9km and 111,7 km of linear distance setting a record for this year. He was joined by Rafal Obora, who lives in New Ross part time. Rafal covered a total cross country distance of 121,5 and 109,8 of linear distance.
The record flights were carried out on April 30 when the pilots took off shortly before noon in White Mountains in Northern Ireland and after over four hours landed close to Kinngscourt, Co Meath.
Bogdan works at Lake Region Medical, who have funded some of the cost of his trip to the European champsionships.
‘Winning comes down to seconds of a difference. It’s like Formula One in that respect. I will be competing against 150 paragliders from across Europe and there will only be seconds between the top 50 so it’s very difficult (to win).’
Bogdan said he is excited to be making history by being the first Irish resident to represent the country at the championships.
‘I am training hard, whenever I can. I travel a lot – all my life is training. I just love the sport. It is great, but can be very expensive. It costs €1,500 just to enter the championships.’
Bogdan got hooked on the sport having tried a tandem flight 11 years ago in Turkey. He loved the feeling of being exposed to air, space and altitude in a harness with his legs hanging out.
A member of the Irish Handgliding and Paragliding Association, he travels all over Ireland and Europe to glide and to hike and glide. He said being fit is important, but not essential, adding that people aged over 70 participate in the sport. He said: ‘My aim is to be world or European champion. I am the only member of the national team so hopefully I can bring on a few more people to be members with me.’
In July 2018 he is aiming high when representing Ireland in the European Championship. Bogdan will compete in two world cup round events as he bids to make the super final later this year.
‘I am going to Italy in a few weeks and then I’ll be in Portugal, after which I have a world cup round competition in Bulgaria. You have to be in the top 20 or 30 in both to make it to the super final.’
Bogdan is looking for a sponsor and can be contacted on 085 7214764.