FAI European Paragliding Championships underway

The 18th FAI European Paragliding Championships are officially underway in Kruševo, North Macedonia. The comp kicked off on 8 August and runs for 12 days until 19 August.

The Europeans attracts 130 of Europe’s best pilots from 30 nations competing for a shot at the overall, female and national categories. However, this year’s event is marked by controversy, with the French team absent, due to a long-running dispute with the competition organiser, over safety and other issues.

In a joint statement, Clémence Petre and Eric Wyss, President and National Technical Director of FFVL, said: “Pilots from the French national paragliding teams will not participate in the 2026 Senior European Paragliding Championship or the Junior World Paragliding Championship. This decision stems from the organiser’s refusal to provide written confirmation of the details verbally outlined during a discussion held on June 15, 2026.”

The statement in full can be read here.

That means the reigning European Champion, Maxime Pinot, is not present to defend his title and nor the French World Champion, Baptiste Lambert. It also means there is no Constance Mettetal, the current female World Champion and defending European Champion.

The French have always been a strong presence at the Europeans – making the team podium every edition since 2014. But their decision to stand aside opens up the possibility for other pilots and nations to seize their chance.

Many pilots in the lineup are on fire and comp-ready, having just come from Gemona. They include German pilot Ferdinand Vogel, who won the final task at the Italian World Cup event, and won the training task in Kruševo. Other pilots competing include Roger Aeschbacher (SUI), who finished third overall in Italy and the X-Alps pilot Davide Sassuelli (ITA) who finished eighth in Italy.

In the female rankings, a stellar lineup includes Sarah Zimmermann (SUI), Elisa Deutschmann (GER), who finished second at the recent World Cup, Anna Berger (MKD) and Mette Krum (DEN), the female winner of the SRS Ozone Edition.

The European Paragliding Championships are held every two years in a different location. Kruševo is a world renowned cross-country and competition flying venue offering a mix of mountain flying as well as huge open plains to test flatland flying skills. Launch is a short bus ride from the hill town while landings, at least out front, are limitless.

Follow the results and competition info on the European Paragliding Championships 2026 official website

See the pilot list here

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