The weather is heating up, and so are the competitions and free-flying events. Here is a small taste of what’s upcoming in April and May, from hang gliding to hike-and-fly, stretching between Brazil and Turkey. The season is taking off.
A popular, pre-PWC event with two applicants for every space. Photo: eventos.cbvl.esp.br
Brazilian Nationals – Pre-PWC
13 – 20 April
The first stage of the Brazilian Paragliding Championship takes place in Castelo-ES-Brasil. It is always a full event and this year saw 253 pilots hoping to grab one of the 125 available places in this Pre-PWC event.
Exciting routes and tactics await 130 pilots. Photo: civlcomps.org
Staufen Cup 2024 BaWü Open – Bezau, Austria
18-21 April
Under the eyes of Meet Director Ferdinand Vogel (Red Bull X-Alps 2023), 130 pilots will compete in this FAI Cat 2 event.
The Niedere is a well-known flying area along the Alpine foothills offering many possible routes and exciting tactical options for competition pilots.
Wilotree Park in the middle of the Floridian flatlands. Photo: wilotreepark.com
Paradise Airsports Hang Gliding Nationals – Groveland, USA
20-27 April
The Paradise Airsports Nationals is a flatland aerotow competition – part of the U.S. National Hang Gliding Championship Series. The grass runway of Wilotree Park (Sheets airfield) is in the centre of Florida, surrounded by the pastures, residential areas, and reed swamps of the flatlands
Algodonales promises good times and good weather. Photo: Civlcomps.org
Liga Nacional, Pre-PWC – Algodonales, Spain
27 April – 1 May
The Algodonales flight area in the Sierra de Cádiz boasts some of the best European flying weather year-round. With an incredible 403 pilots hoping to grab one of the 125 available spaces, the competition has already started for this Pre-PWC Cat 2 event.
Paragliding World Cup – Interlaken, Switzerland
4-11 May
For the second time since 2008, Interlaken and Grindelwald host a PWC event. The area is known for its ideal flying conditions and “tactically interesting” route options. Pilots from all over the world will come to challenge the terrain, weather and each other.
Eyes on the target, this PGAWC event aims for perfection. Photo: Civlcomps.org
Paragliding Accuracy World Cup Event – Alanya, Turkey
25-28 April
The second stage of the PGAWC will see 80 pilots flying through Alanya’s sky, above the blue Mediterranean, before landing on the famous Kleopatra beach – as close to the centre of the target as possible!
Dragon Hike-and-Fly – Crickhowell, Wales (UK)
11-12 May
This hike-and-fly race is now in its eighth year and attracts pilots from beginner to “hardcore” levels.
Competitors will race a pre-determined route – typically 50-100km – through the Black Mountains of Wales.
“Borne” in the X-Alps tradition of adventure. Photo: bornestofly.fr
Bornes to Fly – Manigod, France
18-20 May
Pilots will hike, fly and bivouac their way around the Bornes, Aravis, Bauges, Beaufortin, Chablais and Mont Blanc massifs in this three-day hike-and-fly competition. The 100-250km route will be announced the day before the race and amateurs will compete alongside the world’s best in this Red Bull X-Alps inspired event.
Nearly 30 industry-leading manufacturers already have a place. Photo:Flying-High.at
Flying High, Zillertal Testival – Mayrhofen, Austria
18-20 May
Paragliders, harnesses, varios and much more will be available for testing at this testival event. Fly down from 1,500m above the event, with some of the latest equipment, surrounded by fantastic views of the whole Zillertal. Nearly 30 of the industry’s manufacturers have already confirmed, making sure there is something to interest everyone.
