HK bid has trio up in the air

A PLANE to Switzerland awaits three Hongkong men tomorrow, but it will be after their arrival in Europe that the real flying starts.

The trio, all expatriates, will take part in the World Paragliding Championships, with the aim of raising the profile of the sport back in the territory.

Policemen Gus Scott and Rupert Utley, along with Finnish-born Christian Ronning, are part of the first Hongkong team to take part in the championships, to be held in Verbier from August 1-15.

The trio, having garnered limited sponsorship, have been forced to raise the $350,000 needed.

But they hope their presence in the competition against world-class gliders from 27 other countries will help promote the sport here.

Scott, Hongkong Paragliding Association chairman, said: ''We have more than 70 paragliders in Hongkong and hopefully can increase the numbers. That is our goal.'' The competition in Verbier runs for two weeks with each contestant making one flight a day.