Russian paraglider Pavel Bulgakov (31) was found safe and well yesterday in a remote valley near Treble Cone in the Matukituki Valley, after police and Wanaka Landsar were advised the man did not come home on Saturday night.
Bulgakov is understood to have been competing in the New Zealand Paragliding Nationals and was flying between Treble Cone and Raspberry Flat when he lost altitude and thermals, forcing him to land in an area where communication was not possible.
Const Emma Fleming said she understood Bulgakov had stayed the night in a hut.
Four Wanaka Landsar volunteers began their aerial search early yesterday and the man was found before noon.
