Dear Members,

This newsletter provides several updates on recent and upcoming Paragliding World Cup activities, including the conclusion of the World Cup in Panchgani, India; reflections on the CIVL Plenary held in Porto; and several adjustments to the World Cup calendar and upcoming season planning.

The objective of this communication is to provide clear and factual information to all members of the World Cup community.

World Cup Panchgani – India

The Paragliding World Cup in Panchgani, India, held at the end of February 2026, successfully opened the 2026 flying season, with 8 flying days, 7 tasks flown in a row, and spectacular racing conditions. The organization delivered a technically sound event and once again demonstrated the local paragliding community’s strong commitment to PWCA.

Based on the success of this event, the World Cup will return to Panchgani for the next season. The Asian Tour event will take place there first, followed by the Paragliding World Cup. Both events are part of the 2026 World Cup season, although the actual competition dates will take place in February 2027.

We thank the local organizers, officials, volunteers, and participating pilots for their contribution to the event’s success.

CIVL Plenary – Porto

Many members followed the outcomes of the CIVL Plenary meeting held in Porto, Portugal. Several decisions were adopted that will significantly influence the structure of FAI Category 1 paragliding competitions in the coming years.

The Paragliding World Cup operates as an independent international competition circuit with its own sporting framework. While we maintain regular cooperation with CIVL and closely follow developments within the FAI system, recognizing that a certain level of synchronization benefits all parties, regulatory changes adopted within the CIVL structure are evaluated independently before determining whether they are appropriate for the World Cup series.

At this stage, the World Cup continues to operate under its existing competition structure. However, the World Cup organization is currently working on a proposal that addresses some of the objectives discussed within CIVL, while maintaining the characteristics that have defined World Cup competitions over many years.

The intention of this proposal is not to depart from the broader international competition system, but to progressively align with CIVL Category 1 competitions, in a way specific to the Paragliding World Cup. This alignment is important as it allows pilots to compete internationally under comparable equipment, rules, and competition structures.

Further information regarding this proposal will be communicated to members once the work is completed. A summary of the CIVL Plenary outcomes is available here: https://www.fai.org/news/civl-plenary-2026-recap?type=node&id=24536

At the same time, we are aware that some pilots have expressed concerns regarding potential changes related to equipment and ballast. The World Cup would like to clarify that no immediate changes of this nature will be introduced without prior communication and careful evaluation. Any future adjustments will be implemented progressively to maintain fairness, safety, and stability for all competitors.

Implementation is currently foreseen in three stages:

Stage 1: Completion of the 2025 season under the existing regulatory framework.

Stage 2: Introduction of a revised set of rules, addressing performance equalization and the ballast issue in a measured way for the competition season 2026.

Stage 3: For the 2027 season (World Championship year), partial or full synchronization with Category 1 regulations, with the possibility of mutual influence between CIVL and the World Cup based on practical experience gathered in the meantime.

2026 Calendar Adjustments

Following consultations with organizers and local PWCA partners, several modifications to the 2026 calendar have been necessary.

The World Cup scheduled in Brasov, Romania, has been cancelled. The cable car normally used to access the main takeoff site has lost its operational certification, and the owners have indicated that they currently have no plans to renew it. Without reliable access to the established launch site, it is not possible to guarantee the operational conditions required for a World Cup competition.

The local organizers have proposed alternative takeoff locations. However, before considering a future World Cup event, these sites should first be tested through a successful pre-World Cup competition. If this process proves successful, the possibility of organizing a future World Cup in Romania will remain open.

The World Cup planned in Siatista, Greece, will not take place in 2026. The decision follows ongoing institutional conflicts between the national club of Greece and parts of the Greek paragliding community, which have created uncertainty about the issuance of the NOTAM required to ensure safe, controlled airspace management during the competition.

In agreement with the local organizing team and with the complete support of the World Cup organization, the event will be postponed to 2027, preferably on the same dates.

To maintain the fluidity of competitions in the calendar, the World Cup event will instead take place in Çameli, Türkiye, during the same week originally scheduled for Siatista. This change was made in coordination with the local organizing team and with the support of the Çameli Municipality, an established partner of the World Cup. The memories of the last edition in Cameli, which was one of the best World Cups in recent history, are still very vivid, and we believe another successful edition is in front of us.

For the period originally planned for Romania, the World Cup organization is currently evaluating the possibility of organizing a substitute competition in Baixo Guandu, Brazil, during the first week of October. The site has previously hosted national competitions, including the Brazilian National Championships, during that period, and feedback from local pilots and experienced World Cup competitors indicates that the weather conditions in late September and early October are more than suitable for high-profile events to be held.

A final decision will be communicated once the evaluation process is completed with the publication of the final calendar on the PWCA website.

Structure of the 2026 Season

The current World Cup season continues to develop with the following events being scheduled:

Asian Tour, Kazakhstan, June 2026

PWC Gemona, Italy, late July 2026

PWC Cameli, Turkey, early September 2026

PWC Baixo Guandu, early October 2026

Asian Tour India, Panchgani, mid-February 2027

PWC Panchgani, India, late February 2027

PWC Pagalajar, Spain, late April 2027

PWC Superfinal, Grindelwald – Interlaken, Switzerland, early May 2027

The 2026 season will conclude with the Paragliding World Cup Superfinal in

Grindelwald – Interlaken, Switzerland, during the first half of May.

Pilot Survey

During the past months, a survey was conducted among World Cup pilots. The survey generated a significant number of responses and produced several useful observations regarding competition formats, safety considerations, and the future development of the series. In addition, we would like to express our gratitude for the feedback you provided through other open communication channels with the committee, including the Telegram group, our contact form, and the Committee’s e-mail address.

We want to thank all pilots who participated. The results are currently being reviewed and are already contributing to ongoing discussions within the World Cup organization.

Change of Meet Director – Baixo Guandu

For the upcoming World Cup in Governador Valadares, Brazil, in April 2026, there will be a change of Meet Director.

The originally appointed Meet Director, Vinicius Matuk, has recently taken on professional obligations as an airline pilot and is therefore unable to attend the event. Following discussions with the local organizing team, a replacement Meet Director, Ronnie Koerich, has been appointed, with the World Cup’s and CBVL’s agreement.

General Context

The international paragliding competition community has experienced several difficult moments in recent months, including a fatal accident just after the competition in Castelo, Brazil. At the same time, discussions regarding the future structure of international competitions have intensified following the CIVL Plenary in Porto. These developments have generated understandable unrest and raised questions within the wider pilot community.

Taking all of those events into account, the Paragliding World Cup organization will continue to focus on maintaining a highly competitive, stable, transparent, and professionally managed competition series, with safety, sportiveness, and fairness remaining the primary priorities.

Further information will be shared with members as the season progresses.

Kind regards,

Paragliding World Cup Committee