LEETON'S Formula 1.0 Gliding Grand Prix didn't exactly go to plan, but it did keep chugging along.
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Held at the Brobenah Aerodrome from December 28 over the course of eight days, the event originally had solid entries, but as the COVID-19 pandemic again reared its head in Sydney, many decided not to travel and opted out.
However, there were still about 14 pilots and their families who came to Leeton from throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland to take part.
The competition started off well, but come the end of New Year's Eve, several pilots and their supporters had to make the dash home to Victoria when the government there declared the border would be closing.
That left a smaller field and, with the weather not co-operating early in the New Year, a couple of days grounded.
However, the final days of competition were able to go ahead and Temora glider Scott Lennon was named the eventual overall champion of the 2020-21 event.
Mr Lennon started out flying aeromodel, remote-controlled aircraft when he was younger before taking up gliding in 1993 with a club in Canberra.
After that he moved to Temora in 2006 where he now runs a business repairing and service gliding aircrafts.
"I've been taking part in the Formula 1.0 since it started in Leeton, which was four years ago," Mr Lennon said.
"It was disappointing with the borders closing and people having to go home, but we still wanted to give it our best shot.
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"I'll definitely be back next year (to defend the title)."
Another event impacted by the pandemic is the Australian Junior Gliding Club's national event and competition in Leeton, which has now been cancelled.
The event was scheduled to held at the aerodrome over the coming week.
Formula 1.0 Gliding Grand Prix organiser Nick Gilbert was one of those who had to quickly make arrangements to return home to Victoria when the announcement came about the border.
"It was disappointing, but we'll be back bigger and better next year for sure," he said.
"It's good some more competition days were able to go ahead and we could still have a winner."