This update sees 14 competitions added with changes to all rankings except PG Accuracy and Class 2.
HANG GLIDING (Class 1)
Results added include the Flytec Championships, the Alpen Open, the Ukrainian Championship, Japanese Nationals, Open Austrian Nationals (Wilkogelpokal) and the Eva Menyhart Competition. Only the Canungra Classic (2000) was deleted. Results from the Canadian HG Championships have not been received so have not been added and the Swiss Open was postponed.
Gerholf Heinrichs (AUT) maintains 1st place, Manfred Ruhmer (AUT) stays 2nd but Paris Williams (USA) gains a place to move into 3rd, swapping places with Rohan Holtkamp (AUS) in 4th. Oleg Bondarchuk (UKR), Gordon Rigg (GBR), Betinho Schmitz (BRA) and Antoine Boisellier (FRA) all maintain their places in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Mario Alonzi (FRA) and Jon Durand Jnr (AUS) move up one place each to 9th and 10th.
In the nations ranking, USA takes number 1 place, putting France into 2nd place for the first time since August 2001. Australia drops a place to 3rd and the rest of the top 10 remain the same.
Full details of the HG rankings can be found on the FAI website: http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/rankings/class1/
PARAGLIDING
Competitions added are; The Alpen Open, Il Real Minas competition, Ukrainian Open and the Berchtesgaden Open.
No competitions were deleted. Results from the PG Open in S. Wales and the Hadong Open have not been received so are not included.
The top 3 remain the same, with Jean-Marc Caron (FRA) in number 1 slot, Alex Hofer (SUI) in 2nd and Steve Cox (SUI) in 3rd. Joos Achim (GER) climbs 5 places to 4th and the rest of the top 10 slip a place - Tadano Shoichiro (JPN) 5th, Hans Bollinger (SUI) 6th, Patrick Berod (FRA) 7th, Jin Oh Kim (KOR) joint 8th with Enda Murphy (AUS) and Craig Collins (AUS) 10th.
In the top 80 big gains were made by Oliver Rossel (GER) up 13 places to 18th, Ryan Swan (USA) up 27 to 63rd, Michal Orolin (SVK) up 18 to 65th and Norman Lausch (GER) up 25 to 69th.
In the nations ranking the top 10 remain the same with Switzerland, France and Japan in the top 3 slots.
Full details of the PG rankings can be found on the FAI website - http://www.fai.org/paragliding/rankings/
CLASS 5
2 competitions have been added: The Alpen Open and the Austrian Nationals.
Johann Posch (AUT) is in 1st place, Christian Ciech (ITA) and Alessandro Ploner (ITA) are equal 2nd. The rest of the top 10 remain the same except Manfred Trimmel (AUT) moves up a place to 9th.
USA leads the nations rankings with Germany in 2nd and Switzerland in 3rd.
Full details of the Class 5 rankings can be found on the FAI website - http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/rankings/class5/
CLASS 2
No changes to the ranking, Brian Porter is in 1st, and there is a 4-way tie for 2nd place between Manfred Ruhmer (AUT), Robin Hamilton (GBR), Stephen Partridge-Hicks (GBR) and Mark Mullholland (USA).
PARAGLIDING ACCURACY
There are no changes to the ranking, with Matjaz Feraraic, Simeon Klokocovnik and Matjaz Sluga in the top 3 places.
Full details of the PG Accuracy rankings can be found on the FAI website - http://www.fai.org/paragliding/rankings/precision/
Pilots should check that their personal record shows the correct nationality, particularly as Category 1 competitions approach.
QUALIFYING COMPETITIONS
Hang Gliding
Forthcoming hang gliding competitions that qualify for WPRS points are:
Category 2: 2 Greek Open competitions in June plus a Greek Speed Gliding competition in September; Campeonato de Espana (Arcones); Upper Austrian; Russian Open; Nordic Open; Open Dutch Champs; British National & Laragne Open; US Open Big Springs; Podbrezova Cup; Portuguese Open; Vikings Open; Brazilian Open;
Category 1; European Champs; Women's World Championships; 14th World Champs Brazil (2003); European Champs Millau (2004)
Details of these competitions can be found on the CIVL web page: http://events.fai.org/hgpg/civl-calendar.asp
Paragliding
Forthcoming paragliding competitions that qualify for WPRS points are:
Category 2 Champs: French Championships; Slovenian Open; Portuguese Open (Torre de Moncorvo); Plan Delle Betulle; Spanish Open (Ager); Nordic Cup (Austria); Yugoslavian Open; 2 Greek Open competitions (June & August); Portuguese Open de Distancia de Porto da Espada; Iberian Open (Portugal); Russian Open; PWC Monte Cornizzola; Portuguese Open da Serra de Estrela; PWC Morzine; Welsh International Open; PWC Turkey; PWC Mung Yeong; International German Open; Norwegian League; Belgian Open; British Open Algodanales; South African Open; Pre PWC China;
Category 1; European Champs, Slovenia; PG Worlds (Portugal) 2003; Asian Championship (2004)
Details of these competitions can be found on the CIVL web page: http://events.fai.org/paragliding/calendar.asp
Paragliding Accuracy;
Category 2: Sky Lincs PLA (UK); Slovenian Open; Target Austria; Greek Open.
Category 1; 2nd World Accuracy (2003)
Details of these competitions can be found on the CIVL web page: http://events.fai.org/paragliding/calendar.asp
Rigid Wings;
Category 2; Nordic Open (C5); Dutch Open (C2); US Open Big Springs (C2&C5);
Category 1; European Championships, World Championships, Chelan;
Details of these competitions can be found on the CIVL web page: http://events.fai.org/hgpg/civl-calendar.asp
Information and an application form for CIVL category 2 sanctioning are available on the CIVL website http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/ or from Paula Bowyer, paula@fai.org
All amendments should be e-mailed to Paula Bowyer (paula@fai.org)
