From 10 to 17 May, Algodonales — that Andalusian corner where good thermals are part of the landscape — became the world epicentre of paragliding. For the first time in its history, this legendary flying site hosted a round of the Paragliding World Cup (PWC). And it was no ordinary debut: it was a week of top-level flying, unpredictable weather and pilots who, quite literally, let themselves be carried… but with their heads.
Algodonales, a veteran site that debuted as a World Cup venue
With more than 30 years of history as a free-flight site, Algodonales is known for its excellent conditions and its vibrant flying community, which have made it a reference in Europe. The surprising thing is that it had never hosted a World Cup until now. But as so often happens in paragliding — and in life — sometimes you have to wait for the thermals to line up.
120 elite pilots from every corner of the planet opened the 2025 season of the world’s most demanding competition circuit on Spanish soil. And they did so in conditions that demanded everything: technique, tactics and a little patience.
The tasks: five days, five different challenges
Task 1 – 11 May
The wind made sure it was noticed. From the very start, it demanded precision on launch. Even so, it was a fast 71.65 km task. Baptiste Lambert (France) took the men’s win with an impressive average speed of 43.10 km/h. Andy Tallia was second and Marcelo Sánchez third, the first Spanish pilot in goal. Violeta Jiménez (USA) crossed first in the women’s category, a first warning that she meant business. 100 pilots completed the course.
Task 2 – 12 May
70 km with wide turnpoints. What looked like a gaggle task became a stroke of audacity: Bogdan Bialka (Poland) decided to fly alone for much of the course… and won at 36.63 km/h. Hungary’s Peter Buday was second and Pál Takáts third. Alexia Fischer, from the USA, took the win among the women. Roger Pifarré finished fifth, the best Spanish pilot. 108 pilots completed the task.
Task 3 – 13 May
Clouds at dawn and general doubt. But when the day opened up, strong thermals arrived. The problem was the crosswind on launch, which made getting away difficult. Honorin Hamard seized the right moment and never let go, on a complex course with five turnpoints in tiki-taka style and a long final glide. Honorin dominated without a hitch at 40.20 km/h. Second was fellow Frenchman Jonathan Marin, and third Roger Pifarré, once again the best Spanish pilot in the race. Violeta Jiménez (USA), in 55th place, was the first woman in goal. 94 pilots made goal.
Cancelled task – 14 May
Cancelled due to adverse weather. Because flying is great, but sometimes staying on the ground is also wise.
Task 4 – 15 May
The fourth task was shorter but no less technical, with four turnpoints and goal at 56 km. Wind all day and yet a very high average speed, with 40 pilots flying above 35 km/h. Clément Latour (France) adapted better than anyone and took the day, followed very closely by Martin Jovanoski and Justin Puthod. Alexia Fischer was the first woman, while the best Spanish pilot of the day was José Giménez Belda. Ninety-four pilots in goal.
Task 5 – 16 May
A task to frame. 113.8 km on a five-turnpoint course that ended with a spectacular landing on the beach. Thermals reached 2,500 metres. Flavio Funiati (FRA) flew at 43.03 km/h to win the race, followed by Andy Tallia and Baptiste Lambert, a trio of French aces. Violeta Jiménez won the women’s category again. José Giménez Belda came in 4th, the best Spanish pilot of the day. 116 pilots made goal on the beach — an unforgettable postcard and the best memory of the competition for most pilots!
Task 6 – 17 May
A challenging triangle of almost 83 km brought the championship to a perfect close: a frantic, technical race in which the top 20 in goal all flew at over 34 km/h. This time it was Baptiste Lambert who won the task, with Andy Tallia second: although Andy made goal 46 seconds ahead of Baptiste, leading points worked their “magic”. Either way, Andy took the overall win at this PWC Algodonales 2025. Third on the day was Germany’s Stephan Schöpe. France’s Constance Mettetal was the first woman to complete the course. Marcelo Sánchez was the first Spanish pilot, in seventh place, and 120 pilots — almost the whole field — made goal; two landed out and three did not take off…
Overall rankings: the names on the podium
Overall top 10
- Andy Tallia (FRA) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine – 4456.8 pts
- Baptiste Lambert (FRA) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4412.5 pts
- Petr Kostrhun (CZE) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4408.0 pts
- Martin Jovanoski (MKD) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4406.6 pts
- Clement Latour (FRA) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4406.3 pts
- Jonathan Marin (FRA) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4401.8 pts
- Washington Peruchi (BRA) Niviuk Icepeak X-One/Ozone Submarine– 4396.4 pts
- Ferdinand Vogel (GER) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4389.9 pts
- Marcelo Sánchez Vilchez (ESP) Niviuk Icepeak X-One/Ozone Submarine– 4377.4 pts
- Russell Ogden (GBR) Ozone Enzo 3/Ozone Submarine– 4375.3 pts
Women’s top 3
- Alexia Fischer (USA) – 4308.6 pts
- Constance Mettetal (FRA) – 4230.9 pts
- Violeta Jimenez (USA) – 4044.1 pts
Spain at home: flying with local knowledge (and pressure)
Competing at home has its own challenges. You know the terrain, yes, but the whole world is watching. And in that context, the Spanish pilots rose to the occasion.
Marcelo Sánchez Vílchez was the best-placed Spanish pilot, slipping into the overall top 10. Francisco Reina, Roger Pifarré and Álvaro Romero also put in outstanding performances. Proof that Spanish paragliding is world class.
9th – Marcelo Sánchez Vílchez – 4377.4 pts
16th – Francisco Javier Reina Lagos – 4338.7 pts
20th – Roger Pifarré – 4322.0 pts
26th – Álvaro Romero Camacho – 4285.2 pts
43rd – Boris Miladinov – 4147.0 pts
48th – Francisco Javier López Ricardo – 4132.9 pts
50th – Marcos Sancho – 4124.0 pts
70th – Sergi Claret – 3987.5 pts
73rd – Luis Martínez Iturbe – 3971.6 pts
79th – Miguel Díaz Ruiz – 3923.2 pts
86th – Manu Nieto – 3855.9 pts
92nd – Horacio Llorens – 3727.3 pts
96th – Pablo Menchero – 3478.1 pts
105th – Daniel Vergara – 3356.4 pts
CIVA, host of the competition
The Club Internacional de Vuelo Libre Algodonales (CIVA) showed its organisational and logistical capability at this World Cup. From the choice of Algodonales’ impressive setting to the management of every detail, including pilot safety and task tracking, its work was impeccable. Thanks to its experience and dedication, this event has left an indelible mark on the history of world paragliding. To find out more about CIVA, visit its website: civalgodonales.com
A season opener that sets the bar in the clouds
Algodonales more than delivered: good weather (within reason), impeccable organisation and a setting that adds beauty to the technical challenge. There were days for strategy, others for intuition, and some where flying was almost an act of faith.
And so the 2025 season got under way: flying high, tight competition and the feeling that this year will give us plenty to talk about in the air.
Full official results here:
+Info: https://pwca.events/
