2026 PWC Gemona, Italy - Task 4
Task 4 brought the longest course of the competition so far, with pilots taking on a demanding 97.1 km route that zigzagged between the mountain ranges and across the valley several times. The task combined long ridge runs with multiple flatland crossings, rewarding both efficient gliding and tactical decision-making.
Conditions on the mountains were strong from the start, allowing pilots to climb quickly along the ridges. As the race began, the field spread into two or three distinct groups, each choosing different lines towards the first turnpoint. Significant gaps were already created on the return leg towards take-off, where pilots who had chosen the better lines gained valuable time and altitude.
After climbing above launch, competitors made the first major crossing of the valley, carrying enough height to comfortably reach the opposite foothills. From there, the route followed the ridges towards the second turnpoint, where strong lift allowed pilots to gain altitude with ease before crossing the valley once again towards take-off.
The return to launch became one of the busiest moments of the day. Large numbers of pilots arrived low at the same time, creating a hectic scene as they searched for lift directly in front of take-off. Despite the congestion, the climb worked well enough for most of the leading group to continue onto the next section of the course.
The route then followed the mountain ridge behind take-off to another turnpoint before retracing the same ridge and preparing for yet another valley crossing. Once back on the opposite side, pilots headed towards the penultimate turnpoint, located close to controlled airspace.
This proved to be the most decisive part of the task. The climb before the airspace was weak and unreliable, forcing pilots to make difficult decisions. Those who managed to climb high enough were able to glide safely over the restricted area, while many others either had to take the longer route around it—losing valuable time—or inadvertently entered the airspace and incurred penalties.
After rounding the final turnpoint in the middle of the valley, one last climb was needed before the glide to goal. Rather than committing immediately, many pilots topped up their altitude by soaring a nearby hillside before beginning the final speed section and gliding into goal.
Throughout the day, the mountains provided the strongest lift, with powerful ridge climbs allowing pilots to gain height without prolonged thermalling. The valley crossings, meanwhile, were flown as efficiently as possible, with competitors aiming to minimize time spent searching for lift in the flats before reconnecting with the next mountain range.
The day's victory went to Andy Tallia, adding another impressive World Cup performance following his Superfinal victory earlier this season. Alexia Fischer claimed the women's victory, while the overall competition continues to tighten heading into the remaining tasks.
00:00:00 Waiting for the start
00:03:10 Start of speed section
00:05:13 TP1
00:06:52 Missed the first strong thermal, this is going to be a long one
00:17:27 Crossing the valley
00:19:42 Weak ridge
00:26:10 TP2
00:29:49 Crossing the valley back
00:34:12 Better ridge back to Gemona takeoff
00:39:08 TP3
00:41:17 Not a lot of landings in sight
00:42:03 In the forest below the group
00:48:30 TP4
00:55:29 Hippolyte!
00:57:32 Crossing the valley once again
01:01:38 Trying my best to stay above the restricted airspace (1100m AMSL)
01:04:23 TP5
01:05:28 Final glide
01:05:48 Goal
01:07:21 Landing
2026 PWC Gemona, Italy - Task 3
Task 3 brought another exciting day of racing in Gemona, with pilots once again making the most of the alpine terrain as they searched for the fastest route around the course.
The day rewarded smart tactical decisions rather than outright speed. At the start, the field quickly split into two groups, each choosing a different line after the first climb. While both options appeared viable, the decisive move came early when a small group chose to stop and climb all the way to cloudbase before pushing on.
That decision proved crucial, allowing the leaders to reach the highest altitude of the day at around 2,200 meters and giving them the confidence to move ahead of the main gaggle.
Further along the course, the key moment came approaching the next turnpoint beside a large ridge. Rather than taking the more direct line, Justin Puthod chose to fly lower to connect with the ridge before taking his time to climb back to the top. The strategy paid off, as the chasing pilots arrived later and at a lower altitude, unable to match his position.
Holding both the height advantage and the lead, Puthod completed the out-and-return section in front of the field before rejoining the main group on the final leg to goal. Thanks to his strong tactical flying throughout the course, he secured the task victory.
The day's victory also secured a team win for Niviuk, while Daphnée Ieropoli claimed the women's victory with another impressive performance.
With three tasks now completed—including the stopped opening day—the competition in Gemona continues to deliver a mix of tactical racing, patience and precise decision-making, setting the stage for another exciting day ahead.
00:00:00 Gliding to the start
00:01:11 Start of speed section
00:04:39 First ridge section
00:10:30 Unexpected +6m/s thermal
00:13:15 Cloudbase
00:15:56 Smaller thermal on the way to Meduno
00:18:53 Annoying headwind on the plateau
00:22:34 Connecting back with the inside line gaggle
00:25:58 Beautiful ridge racing section
00:35:38 TP1
00:36:09 Back to the ridge
00:40:00 Few turns before going back to Meduno
00:43:02 Weak thermals on the way back
00:48:04 Busy gaggle
00:54:34 Some guy does a spin for style points
00:58:30 Did not believe the leading group would find such a strong thermal and now I'm late
01:01:05 Leading group goes for last turnpoint
01:04:24 TP2
01:06:25 Full speed to the goal
01:07:08 End of speed section
01:08:02 Goal
01:09:28 Landing
2026 PWC Gemona, Italy - Task 2
After yesterday's stopped opening task, pilots were greeted with much more promising weather for Task 2 of the Paragliding World Cup in Gemona, Italy. The task committee set an 87.6 km optimized course, once again making full use of the surrounding terrain while carefully balancing the day's conditions.
The race began along the foothills with a strong southerly wind. Conditions were stable and often bumpy, making for a technical start as pilots worked the mountain ridges. Venturing into the flats was initially met with some hesitation, with uncertainty over whether the valley would produce enough lift.
Fortunately, just after rounding the first turnpoint, the valley began to come alive. Fresh cumulus clouds developed over the flats, providing the first reliable thermals of the day and allowing the leading gaggle to push quickly across the valley towards the second turnpoint.
The return crossing proved to be the defining section of the task. Large cloud shadows covered much of the valley floor, significantly weakening the thermals and turning the race into a true survival challenge. Pilots had to remain patient, carefully centering every bit of lift to stay in the air while searching for the next climb.
After reaching the third turnpoint, competitors headed slightly downwind towards a sunlit hill where better-developed clouds marked stronger lift. From there, they were finally able to climb well before beginning the long final glide towards goal.
The difficult conditions earlier in the race left many pilots cautious on the final glide. Rather than risking a low arrival, most chose to climb higher than necessary before committing, preferring a conservative approach after spending much of the day fighting for weak lift.
Task winner Baptiste Lambert described the day as one that rewarded patience, explaining that some of his climbs averaged as little as 0.2 m/s. His persistence earned him the day's victory as well as a win for Team Ozone.
The first female to reach goal was Elisa Deutschmann, adding another strong performance to the competition.
With the first valid task now completed, the competition is well underway, and the overall standings are beginning to take shape as pilots look ahead to the next task.
00:00:00 Waiting for the start
00:05:29 Start of speed section
00:31:18 TP1
00:38:58 Going in the flats
01:04:34 TP2
01:13:07 High clouds rolling in
01:23:36 Realization that it's going to get tricky
01:37:44 Survival
01:41:15 TP3
01:44:13 Final glide with 11.9 glide ratio
01:47:32 End of speed section
01:50:01 Goal
01:53:18 Landing
