OLVESTON’S supergran Fiona Macaskill has taken herself into the record books once again.
The grandmother-of-five, who already holds four world paragliding speed records, has broken her own 2007 record landing herself another top title.
Mrs Macaskill, 57, won her first Guinness World Record in 1997 after flying near Chamonix Mont-Blanc in France.
Her most recent attempt at the speed record took place over a 25-kilometre triangle circuit in France during the Easter weekend, where she reached speeds of 26 km/h at more than 12,000ft.
She said: "I am delighted, though quite surprised. I’ve been trying for the last four years to beat the record. I go to France every spring, but this year I finally succeeded."
It took Mrs Macaskill four attempts last month to get the speed and the correct height so the record attempt could count.
However, despite knowing that she has beaten her previous world record Mrs Macaskill, who also runs a property development business, now faces an anxious three-month wait while the Federation Aeronautique International (FAI), which administers all aviation record bids, ratify the attempt.
Mrs Macaskill is also facing stiff competition from an Italian paraglider who is also trying to beat the 2007 record.
After a 22-year career in paragliding and her continual success Mrs Macaskill, also a mother-of-four, has said she may at long last hang up her flying gear and is considering retirement.
"It gets harder as time goes, but I expect it is going to be my last attempt, but you never say never. You can never tell," she said.
Mrs Macaskill is not heading for retirement just yet though and last this month will be representing the South of England in the North-South paragliding cup, a competition involving all the UK's leading paraglider pilots.
She said: "Let's hope the thermals are working for all of us and let's hope I will find some."
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