The Paragliding World Cup in Linzhou, China began with excitement and anticipation as pilots took to the skies in this visually striking region, known for its sheer rock faces and dramatic mountain landscapes.

To open the competition, a 61.4 km optimized task was set—an ideal introduction to the terrain and conditions. The task started with a push into a strong southern wind, followed by a valley crossing, and finally offered pilots a choice: return via the flats or head back into the mountains slightly north of the takeoff and goal.

While the route back was relatively fast, the final glide after the last turnpoint proved challenging, as thermals became scarce and the headwind to goal was significant. Conditions throughout the day were rough and technical, with strong thermal bubbles that often vanished quickly, making it difficult to center climbs and gain altitude consistently.

Ming I Wu claimed the overall task win, and Galen Kirkpatrick took the top spot in the women’s category.

Unfortunately, Day 2 was cancelled due to unsuitable weather. Pilots and organizers remain optimistic for improved conditions and more great racing in the coming days.