Paragliding World Cup Kicks Off in Monroe, USA

The highly anticipated Paragliding World Cup commenced on the 8th of September in Monroe, USA, with the first task proving to be as much a test of mental resilience as flying skill. With weather conditions proving to be both exhilarating and daunting, the day set a challenging tone for the event.

Pilots were already given a taste of the rough conditions the day before the official competition, with extremely high cloud bases and strong, turbulent winds dominating the skies. During the pre-task briefing, event organizers issued a wildlife warning, cautioning participants about the local hazards, including rattlesnakes, scorpions, and even bears, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the competition.

The first task saw competitors tasked with navigating a 107-kilometer straight-line flight toward Salt Lake City, designed to steer pilots away from developing storms. However, even before the race began, ominous clouds in some areas started to produce rain, foreshadowing what was to come.

As the race got underway, the lead gaggle progressed smoothly along the course. However, those flying farther back began to feel the effects of the overdevelopment, encountering gusty winds and increasingly turbulent conditions. In the interest of safety, the race organizers decided to stop the race after over an hour of competition.

Task 1 winners

Overall

1. Balazs Vertes
2. Samuel Cristoforetti
3. Peter Budai

Female:

1. Alexia Fischer
2. Violeta Jimenez
3. Elisa Deutschmann

Teams

1. BEYOND REAL ESTATES
2. FLYING TREE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY
3. NIVIUK 1

Hopes of a second task the following day were dashed as even stronger storms dominated the skies over Monroe. While organizers had initially considered a late-afternoon task, the persistent stormy weather forced the cancellation of the day’s flying altogether.

With conditions proving unpredictable, we are eager to see how the competition will progress in the coming days.