News, results, photos, and live tracking: Paragliding World Cup Association
Task 11
The final task was 80 km of full bar racing within the classic Valle convergence zone. I witnessed a reserve throw and long ride to the ground, which eased my speed bar use slightly.
Peter Neuenschwander won the task again, thus holding his lead to become World Cup Champion.
Task 10
A 120 km task, the longest task called in the history of Valle de Bravo. I was in the air for 6 hours, including pre start and post end-of-speed section flying.
Ulrich Prinz won the task.
Task 9
A 100 km task in the roughest air this trip has had to offer. It was great fun.
The highlight of this flight for me was narrowly avoiding landing on course by climbing out from 50 m, in the shade, between a hill and high tension power lines.
Marco Littame won the task.
Task 8
Cancelled when near 100% cirrus cover created insufficiently soarable conditions for a suitable task. There was light lift around which many pilots took advantage of for some relaxed free flying, some even making it back to Valle.
Task 7
Full cirrus cloud cover arrived mid task preventing any pilot from completing the task. Charles Cazaux flew the furthest to win the task with a distance of about 80 km.
I was feeling kind of down after sinking out in the shade until these kids came and cheered me up. I realized that I had no reason to be unhappy.
Task 6
After an extended discussion the task committee declared today the obligatory rest day.
Task 5
The morning welcomed us with a completely overcast sky. We were surprised.
After much waiting and the creation of an A and B provisional task, the task committee sent us on our way. There was almost no wind on launch and the sky was dim but despite this there were light and smooth climbs to 3300 m.
By the time we left on course, however, the sky had somehow changed. We could barely stay in the air. It was so dark that I removed my shades to be able to see better. The furthest distance flown was 26 km by Pepe Malecki (to be confirmed).
The last 30 minutes of my flight was spent thermaling at 150 m over a town with Josh Cohn before landing in a football stadium in the centre of town. Soon after landing we were surrounded by a mob of more than 50 friendly children.
Task 4
Once again we had an epic task. A 120 km task flown at full bar. There was a reserve toss, and many full bar whacks. It was rough. I finished with the leading gaggle with a time of 3h 37 min.
Luc Armant crossed the ESS first. Once the leading bonuses are applied we will know if he won the task.
Task 3
Our task was 104 km long with numerous turnpoints, including a far turn point that brought us close to the volcano, before returning to goal in Valle de Bravo.
Somehow I programmed the start at 12:30 pm, instead of the correct 12:15 pm. I noticed something was wrong when most of the gaggle left the mesa to setup for the start on the other side of the valley.. but they were actually leaving on course. I spent the next 15 min staring at my notes, trying to understand what was happening, then started as planned at 12:30 pm. Along the first leg I realized that most likely the start was at 12:15, despite having written down 12:30 pm.
It took me half an hour to stop thinking about the mistake that I had made, then another half an hour to stop being mad. Finally I just let go and took in the most beautiful task that I have ever flown in Valle.
I had to fly into the lee of Cerro Gordo to reach the ESS and just cleared the forest along the shallow ridge down to the lake. This was not pleasant.
In goal I soon realized that my little setback was minor compared to what happened to many other pilots.
Luc Armant and Luca Donini tied for today's task win.
Task 2
We flew nearly 100 km today. Juan Becerra of Venezuela won the task by 4 min, approximately. Three pilots had to deploy their parachutes. No injuries. It was a rough day indeed.
I felt the length of the task was better chosen and the course guided us through varying terrain and conditions in the area. Some high cloud arrived later in the flight, which complicated things for many pilots.
It was a fully satisfying day of racing.
The prominent gliders at this competition are the Icepeak6, BoomX, and EnZo. The BoomX seems to require the least active piloting, the EnZo the most. The Icepeak6 in between. The sink rate and glide performance seems to go in the same order, from lower to higher. Top speeds seem to be similar.
Task 1
My alarm was set for 7 am but I woke up at 6 am, eager for the day to begin. Day one had arrived.
We were given a 70 km task over interesting terrain and in strong conditions.. 3700 m base, up to 7 m/s thermals, and enough turbulence to demand most of your attention and skill. Most of the flight was fast but the glide into the last turn point on a mountain became tricky as we flew against a headwind, rising ground, and into the lee. Using a clever line was critical to be able to fly into the lee, get the turn point, and get out with enough height to continue on final glide.
Hans Bollinger of Switzerland, flying a Gin Boom X, won the task with a time of 1:41:54.
Prelude
It is 5 am. Outside -32 C air blows across frozen Alberta. As I sip on a fresh cup of Gala coffee, I smile and continue folding my surf shorts and sunscreen. I won't be here much longer.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico, will be my home for the next two weeks. I have missed my friends and now we will be sharing the skies high over central Mexico as we battle for the World Cup Champion title.
The time has come.
Task 11
The final task was 80 km of full bar racing within the classic Valle convergence zone. I witnessed a reserve throw and long ride to the ground, which eased my speed bar use slightly.
Peter Neuenschwander won the task again, thus holding his lead to become World Cup Champion.
 |
| Photo: Nick Greece |
Task 10
A 120 km task, the longest task called in the history of Valle de Bravo. I was in the air for 6 hours, including pre start and post end-of-speed section flying.
Ulrich Prinz won the task.
 |
| The sun sets over Valle once again |
Task 9
A 100 km task in the roughest air this trip has had to offer. It was great fun.
The highlight of this flight for me was narrowly avoiding landing on course by climbing out from 50 m, in the shade, between a hill and high tension power lines.
Marco Littame won the task.
 |
| Bumpy air |
Task 8
Cancelled when near 100% cirrus cover created insufficiently soarable conditions for a suitable task. There was light lift around which many pilots took advantage of for some relaxed free flying, some even making it back to Valle.
Task 7
Full cirrus cloud cover arrived mid task preventing any pilot from completing the task. Charles Cazaux flew the furthest to win the task with a distance of about 80 km.
I was feeling kind of down after sinking out in the shade until these kids came and cheered me up. I realized that I had no reason to be unhappy.
 |
| New friends |
After an extended discussion the task committee declared today the obligatory rest day.
Task 5
The morning welcomed us with a completely overcast sky. We were surprised.
After much waiting and the creation of an A and B provisional task, the task committee sent us on our way. There was almost no wind on launch and the sky was dim but despite this there were light and smooth climbs to 3300 m.
By the time we left on course, however, the sky had somehow changed. We could barely stay in the air. It was so dark that I removed my shades to be able to see better. The furthest distance flown was 26 km by Pepe Malecki (to be confirmed).
The last 30 minutes of my flight was spent thermaling at 150 m over a town with Josh Cohn before landing in a football stadium in the centre of town. Soon after landing we were surrounded by a mob of more than 50 friendly children.
.jpg) |
| Leaving cloudbase |
Task 4
Once again we had an epic task. A 120 km task flown at full bar. There was a reserve toss, and many full bar whacks. It was rough. I finished with the leading gaggle with a time of 3h 37 min.
Luc Armant crossed the ESS first. Once the leading bonuses are applied we will know if he won the task.
 |
| Lead gaggle on course |
Task 3
Our task was 104 km long with numerous turnpoints, including a far turn point that brought us close to the volcano, before returning to goal in Valle de Bravo.
Somehow I programmed the start at 12:30 pm, instead of the correct 12:15 pm. I noticed something was wrong when most of the gaggle left the mesa to setup for the start on the other side of the valley.. but they were actually leaving on course. I spent the next 15 min staring at my notes, trying to understand what was happening, then started as planned at 12:30 pm. Along the first leg I realized that most likely the start was at 12:15, despite having written down 12:30 pm.
It took me half an hour to stop thinking about the mistake that I had made, then another half an hour to stop being mad. Finally I just let go and took in the most beautiful task that I have ever flown in Valle.
I had to fly into the lee of Cerro Gordo to reach the ESS and just cleared the forest along the shallow ridge down to the lake. This was not pleasant.
In goal I soon realized that my little setback was minor compared to what happened to many other pilots.
Luc Armant and Luca Donini tied for today's task win.
 |
| Luc Armant reaches base |
Task 2
We flew nearly 100 km today. Juan Becerra of Venezuela won the task by 4 min, approximately. Three pilots had to deploy their parachutes. No injuries. It was a rough day indeed.
I felt the length of the task was better chosen and the course guided us through varying terrain and conditions in the area. Some high cloud arrived later in the flight, which complicated things for many pilots.
It was a fully satisfying day of racing.
The prominent gliders at this competition are the Icepeak6, BoomX, and EnZo. The BoomX seems to require the least active piloting, the EnZo the most. The Icepeak6 in between. The sink rate and glide performance seems to go in the same order, from lower to higher. Top speeds seem to be similar.
 |
| Waiting for the start gate |
Task 1
My alarm was set for 7 am but I woke up at 6 am, eager for the day to begin. Day one had arrived.
We were given a 70 km task over interesting terrain and in strong conditions.. 3700 m base, up to 7 m/s thermals, and enough turbulence to demand most of your attention and skill. Most of the flight was fast but the glide into the last turn point on a mountain became tricky as we flew against a headwind, rising ground, and into the lee. Using a clever line was critical to be able to fly into the lee, get the turn point, and get out with enough height to continue on final glide.
Hans Bollinger of Switzerland, flying a Gin Boom X, won the task with a time of 1:41:54.
 |
| The growing start gaggle |
Prelude
It is 5 am. Outside -32 C air blows across frozen Alberta. As I sip on a fresh cup of Gala coffee, I smile and continue folding my surf shorts and sunscreen. I won't be here much longer.
Valle de Bravo, Mexico, will be my home for the next two weeks. I have missed my friends and now we will be sharing the skies high over central Mexico as we battle for the World Cup Champion title.
The time has come.
 |
| Climbing the face of El Penon |
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