HIGH winds meant that only limited action could take place at the 2011 UK Paramotoring Championship first leg in March at the weekend.

Blustery conditions forced organisers to keep competitors grounded for long periods, but they were able to take to the skies on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Two events were completed at Burrowmoor Fen, a slalom race and a spot landing, both of which were won by Barney Townsend.

UK Champion Laura Turner and former World Champion Michel Carnet were present as Fenland got its first major taste of the sport.

Host of the event, Nigel Davies, said he hoped paramotoring would return to the fens in future and refused to be too frustrated by the poor conditions.

“That’s the nature of the sport,” he said. “It’s just what we do, and now we will move on to the next leg.”

Paramotoring is similar to paragliding except motors are used. Currently, there are less than 1,000 pilots in the UK.

Anyone interested in trying paramotoring should visit www.ukppg.com