Modern-day Icarus

On August 14-15 Worthing hosted the annual competition of human 'birdmen' called Worthing International Birdman. The event has been held in Great Britain since 1971. The participants of the contest are experienced aviators who have fun attempting to make their self-made apparatus fly off as far as possible. Initially the top prize awarded for the flight at the distance of 46 meters was 1,000 pounds. Later the rules of the contest were changed: each participant who reached 100 meters received 30,000 pounds. The current record holder is Steve Elkins, who reached 99.8 meters.The event usually attracts thousands of spectators.