As a young pilot, I became interested in flying in hanging gliding competitions. It was a very good way to compare myself and discover my weak points. Also, a lot of fun and bonding with other like-minded people. Eventually my skills increased my competition placings improved, and in 1980 I was offered a spot on the national team to compete at the world championship in Japan. In 1985, I again qualified and that time I competed at the world championship in Austria. A decade later I flew in the pre-world championship in Ager, Spain. Those are all stories for another day.
As time went on, I could see that the pilots that were willing to push the envelope on the flight conditions or take a bigger risk on landing in very tricky locations had a better chance of scoring better. I wasn't willing to push it as far and eventually pulled away from flying in competitions. But something had to replace it. I discovered badges and records. These I could pursue on my own terms.
During the later 1980s and into the 1990s, I went after the low-hanging fruit, all the records that had not been set yet or those that I figured I could easily surpass. By the time I was done, I had amassed about 16 of them. And here they are!
