India to host Paragliding World Cup in Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala, July 25, 2024: Anurag Sharma, President of the Bir Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), announced that India will host the Paragliding World Cup this year. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 9 in Bir-Billing, located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

The Paragliding World Cup Association greenlit the event following the successful organization of the Paragliding Accuracy Pre-World Cup and Paragliding Cross Country Pre-World Cup in Bir-Billing last year. Sharma credited the state government's encouragement and cooperation for securing the event's hosting rights.

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) has classified the event as a Category 2 competition, and it has also received recognition from the Aero Club of India. "Participants from 40 to 50 countries are expected to compete in this event," Sharma said, adding that 81 participants from 27 countries have already registered on the Paragliding World Cup Association's website. Only 130 participants, selected based on world and national rankings, will be eligible to compete.

During the World Cup, participants will undertake daily cross-country flights ranging from 100 to 200 kilometers from Bir Billing. The event promises to showcase the region's exceptional paragliding conditions, with Billing at an altitude of 2,400 meters serving as the take-off point and Chougan in Bir, at 1,300 meters, as the landing site.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the BPA during a press conference in Shimla on Wednesday. He highlighted that hosting the World Cup will enhance Himachal Pradesh's global recognition and boost tourism in the region. "This World Cup in Bir-Billing will give Himachal Pradesh worldwide recognition and promote tourism," Sukhu remarked.

Bir Billing is renowned as one of the world's best paragliding destinations due to its favourable geographic conditions. The area's paragliding potential was first explored by French and Russian pilots in the 1980s, establishing it as a premier flying site. The inaugural Paragliding World Cup in India was held here in 2015, marking the country's debut in hosting the event.

The Bir-Billing area attracts paragliding enthusiasts from around the world, with the prime flying season running from September to November.