The former Otago Boys' High School pupil came of age at the New Zealand national hang-gliding championships two years ago when he finished second and beat his father, mentor and experienced pilot, Hagen Bruggemann. He was just 16.
In April this year he beat some top-class pilots in the flexible wing category at Dalby Big Air tournament in Australia. He claimed a credible third and is now readying himself to take on the best at the world championships in Italy beginning in mid-July.
Before that he will contest the nationals in Switzerland as a final warm-up for the main event.
"I'm really looking forward to flying in the mountains ... it is going to be super scenic and fast racing with the best in the world," Lobitz said.
"I'm going to be the youngest competitor there so my aim is to finish in the top 30 and to be the top New Zealander. I want to gain experience and get a feel for what it is like to compete at that level. Europe is the Mecca of hang-gliding."
-Adrian Seconi
