2026 PWCA Superfinal: World’s Top Paraglider Pilots Head to Pegalajar, Spain

The world’s elite competition paraglider pilots are gathering in southern Spain next week for the 15th Paragliding World Cup Superfinal, with Pegalajar set to host the sport’s season finale from May 12-23, 2026.

Qualification for the Superfinal is limited to the top-ranked pilots from the 2025 World Cup season, making it one of the most competitive events in international paragliding. Over 12 days of racing, pilots will compete across the mountains and olive-covered valleys of Andalusia in a contest where consistency and tactics matter as much as outright speed.

Pegalajar, in the province of Jaén, has quietly built a reputation as one of Spain’s premier competition venues. The launch site is just a short drive from town, and the location works across a wide range of wind directions, giving organizers flexibility to set ambitious tasks. Despite the relatively modest elevation gain, the area is known for strong, reliable thermals and significant cross-country potential, with flights regularly exceeding 200km.

The venue has hosted major events before, including the Spanish Championships and the 2024 European Championships. Organizers say the combination of dependable weather, technical terrain, and straightforward logistics make it an ideal setting for the sport’s biggest showdown.

Pilots to watch for the overall title include the French trio of Maxime Pinot, Honorin Hamard, and Baptiste Lambert – expect them to be battling from the start. In the women’s competition, France’s Constance Mettetal is a clear favorite, but strong performances are expected from the US team too: Alexia Fischer, Violeta Jimenez, Galen Kirkpatrick, and Jenny O’Neil will all be aiming for the podium.

With World Cup titles at stake and minimal gaps between the leading pilots, expect tight racing from the opening task. Live tracking, daily reports, and video highlights will be available throughout the competition on official PWCA channels.