Hosted At Well-Known Tolmin, Slovenia, Site

The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) announced that the first-ever FAI Junior World Paragliding Championship was held in Tolmin, Slovenia on August 18-31.

The event was organized by Klub letalcev Triglav and Aeronautical association of Slovenia with sponsorship by Triple Seven Gliders and Naviter.

The Meet Director was Igor Eržen, and the FAI jury included President Andy Cowley GBR, Fabio Loro ITA, and Matjaž Klemeni SLO.

The FAI Steward was Jamie Shelden USA.

Seventy-six participants aged 16 to 26 came from 20 countries including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Czechia, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Island, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Turkey, and the United States.

The level of competition was very high, likely because a majority of them got started flying from their fathers who were also paragliders. In fact, there were many PWC pilots in attendance including national champions and the European Champion Constance Mettetal.

Two different takeoff sites were used, depending on the weather. Kobala, flying over Soca Valley with the goal field near Tolmin, and Lijak, with flights and goalfield in the adjacent valley.

The male winners were Marcelo Vilchez ESP, Adrien Raisson FRA, and Dusan Surina SVK. The female winners were Constance Mettetal FRA, Celine Lorenz GER, and Capucine Deliot FRA.

The next Junior Paragliding World Championship will be held in Krushevo, North Macedonia, in 2026.

FMI:  www.fai.org/news/