|
Name: |
Kari Ellis |
Glider: |
Niviuk Peak 3 |
Flying For: |
5 years |
AU Rank: |
20 |
WPRS: |
760 |
1. Where do you mostly fly?
The flatlands, Bright and Corryong.
2. Which pilots most influenced you?
The first pilots who really influenced my flying were my early mentors, Brian Webb and Andy Horchner. These two guys were so good to me - they took me along on their flying trips, flew with me, patiently listened to my thermal stories and generally did whatever they could to help me get established as a comp and XC pilot. They have both had a huge impact on my flying career.
Over the last 5 years I have been lucky to be around a lot of other pilots that I have watched and learned from too.
Alex Yaschenko and I learned to fly around the same time and we have flown a lot together every season since then. He is a tremendously naturally talented pilot, but he also works very hard at it improving both his XC and comp flying skills. Trying to keep pace with his rapid development has been good for me - it has kept me motivated and made me push myself hard as well.
I have also been really fortunate to fly a lot with Sebastian Benz over the last couple of seasons. Spending time with Sebby has taught me a lot about the importance of developing mental toughness. It contributes to so many aspects of comp and XC flying - consistency in performance, hunger to do well, tenacity, self belief, bouncing back from bad days and so on.
I have also learnt a lot from flying with Bruce Marks over the last few years. In particular, the importance of doing your homework before you fly. Bruce is always the best prepared pilot on the hill - he will have studied the weather, airspace, terrain and road networks; planned his route; and arranged his logistics. From that point onwards, the only thing he has to worry about is flying the day as it unfolds.
Last but not least is Mer Malocsay, who introduced me to crossfit and the (what I believe to be significant and under-recognised) correlation between being really fit and flying a really long way.