Home News North East News

Birdman aims for jackpot

Aug 16 2009 by David Black, Sunday Sun

BIRDMAN Ron Freeman is hoping it will be a case of lucky 13 later this month when he makes his latest bid to win a £30,000 cash jackpot in Britain’s wackiest flying contest.

Ron Freeman
Ron Freeman

Ron, 53, has done the North East proud in the annual International Birdman competition held on the south coast each summer – winning 10 times and finishing second twice in his 12 years of entering.

Now he is hoping that his 13th attempt – in Worthing on August 22 and 23 – will see him finally collect the coveted jackpot prize on offer to anyone who can glide more than 100 metres before splashing down in the English Channel.

Last year, when the event was switched to Worthing Pier because of safety problems at its traditional home of Bognor, Ron recorded a personal best competitive flight of 85.9 metres, before high winds caused the cancellation of the contest.

Each year more than 20,000 people watch an assortment of costumed characters and serious aviation enthusiasts try to soar as far as they can.

Yesterday Ron, who lives with his wife Jacquie and son Conor, 13, in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, said he will face 17 rivals in his Condor class this year . . . including a German invader and two competitors from UK university teams involved in aero-dynamics projects.

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums

Site Tools