Gavin McClurg won the 19th Monarca Paragliding Open in Mexico last week – and described the result as “redemption”.
The hugely popular Monarca Paragliding Open 2024 saw nearly 140 pilots in the sky above the beautiful town of Valle de Bravo between 7-13 January.
After five good tasks of 75km, 89km, 90km, 71km and 76km during the week, Gavin took the overall win. He was joined by fellow US pilots Nick Greece in second with Galen Kirkpatrick in third overall after being top-three throughout the competition. Galen also won the Women’s Class.
Violeta Jimenez and Alexia Fischer were second and third in the women’s competition, making it a clean sweep for US pilots on both overall and women’s podiums. Violeta was seventh overall while Alexia was ninth – in total nine of the top ten pilots were from the USA.
Soaring on the edges of the clouds on the first day of Monarca Open 2024. Credit: Colin Rathbun
“Monarca is like the forbidden fruit,” Gavin said afterwards. “The conditions are reliable but it’s technical. It’s a very hard comp to win.”
Gavin come close to winning last year’s Monarca Open but bombed out during the final days for a “heartbreaking” experience.
“Last year I had the race pretty locked up after day four with a huge lead and all I needed to do was literally just finish either of the last two days,” he said. However, he “blew it” when he didn’t reach goal on the final two tasks.
“Monarca is so hard to win and after 12 times I have finally pulled it off,” he added. “This year I already had it won on the last day. It was fun. It was like a redemption.”
Overall RESULTS
1. Gavin McClurg (US), Niviuk Icepeak X-One, 3,581 points
2. Nick Greece (US), Ozone Enzo 3, 3,512
3. Galen Kirkpatrick (US), Ozone Enzo 3, 3,510
Women’S CLASS
1. Galen Kirkpatrick (US), Ozone Enzo 3, 3,510 points
2. Violeta Jimenez (US), Ozone Enzo 3, 3,415
3. Alexia Fischer (US), Ozone Enzo 3, 3,383
TeamS
1. US Ladies, 12,071 points
2. DontPanicTeam, 11,966
3. Winged Valkyries, 11,864
