Barron Hilton Cup

Barron Hilton Cup

The Barron Hilton Cup is a prestigious international gliding competition that was established in 1980 by Barron Hilton, an American hotelier and avid glider pilot. The competition is designed to promote long-distance gliding and to encourage pilots to achieve exceptional flights.

History

The Barron Hilton Cup was initiated by Barron Hilton, who was inspired by his passion for gliding and his desire to foster the sport. The competition quickly gained popularity among the gliding community and has been held biennially since its inception. The event is named in honor of Hilton, who provided significant support and resources to ensure its success.

Competition Format

The Barron Hilton Cup is unique in its format, as it is based on a decentralized system where pilots can participate from various locations around the world. The competition is divided into several regions, and pilots are required to complete long-distance flights within their respective regions. The flights are then scored based on distance, speed, and other factors.

Regions

The competition is divided into the following regions:

• Europe
• North America
• South America
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia

Scoring

The scoring system for the Barron Hilton Cup takes into account the distance flown, the speed of the flight, and the difficulty of the task. Pilots are awarded points based on their performance, and the top pilots from each region are invited to participate in the final event.

Final Event

The final event of the Barron Hilton Cup is held at the Flying M Ranch, a private gliderport owned by Barron Hilton in Nevada, United States. The top pilots from each region are invited to the ranch for a week-long event that includes competitive flying, social activities, and the awarding of prizes.

Legacy

The Barron Hilton Cup has had a significant impact on the sport of gliding, encouraging pilots to push the boundaries of long-distance flight and fostering a sense of camaraderie among the international gliding community. The competition has also helped to raise awareness of gliding as a sport and has inspired many pilots to pursue their passion for flight.

See Also

• Gliding
• Barron Hilton
• Flying M Ranch
• Glider (sailplane)
• Soaring Society of America