Glider Aerobatics, Parachuting Canopy Piloting and Paramotors at The World Games 2017

The FAI is pleased to announce that Glider Aerobatics, Parachuting Canopy Piloting and Paramotors have been selected by the IWGA (International World Games Association) for The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. All three will be grouped as disciplines under the Air Sports banner.

“We are thrilled to have three air sports events at The World Games 2017. It means a lot to us to be part of this global multi-sport event, as it brings public and media exposure worldwide to our sports from which they will benefit not only during the event, but also on a long-term basis,” said FAI Secretary General Susanne Schödel.

“The World Games 2013 in Cali were a great success for air sports, and the experience we gained will allow us to do even better in 2017. In the last edition we had two air sports events at the programme, so being granted one more is an honour that we are proud of and a challenge that we take up with wholehearted commitment and enthusiasm.”

The details for each air sport event will be decided at a later stage, with the objective for the FAI of making all air sports events a success with the spectators. With this in mind, particular attention will be given to the set-up of the venues and features such as live commentaries.

About air sports at The World Games 2017

The Glider Aerobatics competition is a test of the pilot’s ability to perform a pre-planned programme of spectacular aerobatic manoeuvres whilst managing the glider’s energy. The silent and graceful manoeuvres are blended together in a sequence aimed at impressing the judges with the pilot’s precise handling skills. His ability to manage the glider’s speed, energy and position within the “box” is of paramount importance to obtaining a winning score. This sport is particularly successful and popular in Poland.

Parachuting Canopy Piloting involves a series of tasks designed to test a parachutist’s ability to control his canopy and fly accurately. Pilots compete over a stretch of water for safety reasons because of the high speeds involved - at the same time creating spectacular action as the parachutists whizz across the surface of the water, leaving a plume of spray behind them.

Paramotoring (also known as powered paragliding) enables the pilot to take off from level ground unassisted and climb to altitude; there is no need to launch from a hill or high ground. Paramotor units typically weigh 30kg; after a short take-off run of 10-20m this weight is carried by the wing. The pilot sits in a chair-type harness, controlling the engine output with a hand throttle lever.

About The World Games

The World Games are organised and governed by the International World Games Association (IWGA), under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The next World Games will take place in Wroclaw, Poland, from 3 to 13 August 2017. This decision was announced by Ron Froehlich, former President of the International World Games Association, on 12 January 2012 on the occasion of the awarding ceremony in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

The 2013 edition took place in Cali, Colombia, over a period of 11 days from July 25 to August 4 2013. 31 official sports featured in the programme, including Parachuting Canopy Piloting and Paragliding Accuracy, while AeroMusicals (Aeromodelling) was present as a demonstration sport. The Parachuting and Paragliding competitions ran concurrently on the same site, for maximum spectator interest, from 1 to 4 August 2013. Some 65 competitors (36 for Parachuting and 29 for Paragliding) gained entry to the Games. In addition, 2 Indoor AeroMusicals pilots made the trip to Cali to show the beauty of their sport.

• The World Games 2017 dedicated pages on the FAI website