SIDMOUTH s Craig Morgan, the man who overcome the loss of a leg and several setbacks in his quest to be a successful paraglider, has triumphed this year by winning the British Championships open class.

SIDMOUTH's Craig Morgan, the man who overcome the loss of a leg and several setbacks in his quest to be a successful paraglider, has triumphed this year by winning the British Championships open class.

This followed championships rounds at Pedro Bernardo in Spain in June, Long Mynd in Shropshire also in June and lasts week in St Andre, France.

At 19, he played rugby for Sidmouth Colts and hoped to break into the first time but lost a leg below the knee following an accident on a tractor when he fell across the rotating shaft connecting the tractor to another piece of machinery.

Craig, now 42, was in New Zealand when he discovered paragliding and was smitten by the sport. He started training for a licence in British Columbia, Canada, and gained a pilot rating on returning to Britain.

While scenic flying around the cliffs at Branscombe an instructor suggested entering competitions and, after unspectacular attempts, won the Polish Open in the Dolomites this April.

A delighted Craig told the Herald yesterday: "I am over the moon with this success.

"I am particularly delighted to have won it because I had a nasty accident in the same area last year and had quite a few demons to squash."

There were very strong flying conditions and some awesome rock formations to negotiate - which Craig apparently did with notable success.

To have his name engraved on the same trophy that carried legendary winners was a triumph for him, he said.

"This takes me forward to the European championships with great heart," Craig told the Herald.