As a relative newbie with only two years competition experience, just being invited to compete at the Paragliding World Cup is a win for Paul Kimber.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But that doesn't mean the Thirroul paraglider isn't dreaming of success in China.
"It is more a learning experience for me at this level. If I can finish in the top half of the competition overall I'd be pretty happy," Kimber said.
"But obviously I'm dreaming of winning a task. You never know what could happen in one task, I could Bradbury a task. It's pretty unlikely but you never know."
Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury came from last to win the 1000m event at the 2002 Winter Olympics after all of his opponents were involved in a last corner pile-up.
Kimber doesn't want to follow suit and is keen to test himself at the world's foremost paragliding event.
He said top pilots will race hundreds of kilometres cross-country, rising and gliding on warm air currents, during the Paragliding World Cup which starts on June 8.
"It's like a 3D yacht race in the sky, with the peloton aspect of road cycling, and a touch a Texas Hold'Em thrown in," explained Kimber.
"Before a race, a task is set. Each task is made up of multiple turn points defined with the day's weather conditions in mind. They can range between 40km to over 200km in length.
It's like a 3D yacht race in the sky, with the peloton aspect of road cycling, and a touch a Texas Hold'Em thrown in.
- Paul Kimber
"The winning pilot tags all turnpoints and makes from start gate to end goal in the fastest time."
Kimber has always been fascinated by flight and had dreams of becoming a pilot.
This passion runs in the family. Kimber's grandmother was one of Zimbabwe's first female pilots, and his grandfather flew in North Africa during World War II.
He grew up watching hang gliders fly off the cliffs of Beachy Head in southern England.
I was fortunate to come out of it without a scratch, but trains between Wollongong and Stanwell Park were halted while the authorities determined how close I was to the tracks. My glider was a write-off.
- Paul Kimber
But Kimber didn't pick up paragliding until 2004.
The 43-year-old made his first solo launches off Wollongong's Hill 60 and Stanwell Park.
"The closest call I've had was when I landed in a tree at the foot of Mount Mitchell, just north of Stanwell Park, right next to the railway tracks," he said.
"It was not long after I'd started flying. I misjudged conditions; it was a classic case of intermediate syndrome.
"I was fortunate to come out of it without a scratch, but trains between Wollongong and Stanwell Park were halted while the authorities determined how close I was to the tracks. My glider was a write-off."
Kimber thanked his employer LEAP Dev, one of Sydney's pre-eminent software houses, for sponsoring his wing and supporting his paragliding adventures.
But the new dad was most appreciative of the support of his partner.
"The timing is not ideal, but I have a wonderful partner who will be on solo baby duty while I'm away. Without her support and encouragement it would be impossible to compete at this level," he said.