Paragliding competitions and festivals worth knowing
Competitions and festivals are where the sport’s best pilots, newest wings and biggest communities come together. Even if you never compete, watching an event is an education.
Red Bull X-Alps
A hike-and-fly race across the Alps in which athletes carry their paraglider and cover the route by foot and by air. It takes place every two years and is followed online with live tracking. It is considered one of the toughest adventure races in the world.
Paragliding World Cup (PWC)
A series of international competition rounds held at different sites around the world. Pilots fly tasks set by a task committee, with scoring based on speed and distance. Bir Billing has hosted a round of the competition.
FAI World and continental championships
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) organises world and continental championships in several paragliding categories, under the leadership of its air sports commission. Pilots are selected by their national teams.
Coupe Icare
A free-flight festival held each September at Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet in France. It mixes competitions, exhibitions and a famous costume flight, and attracts pilots and spectators from around the world.
Local events and fly-ins
Most regions hold local competitions and fly-ins, a friendly way to meet pilots and learn about local flying. Check with clubs and associations.
Attending as a pilot
- Book accommodation early; events fill up.
- Check any pilot registration requirements.
- Follow the organisers’ safety briefings: traffic is heavy at big launches.
Why watch?
Competition pilots demonstrate decision-making, route choice and thermalling techniques that you can learn from.