Slovenia Triumphs at the European Paragliding Championships

The 18th FAI European Paragliding Championships concluded successfully on 19 August after nine tasks ranging from 68 km to 104 km – a spectacular week in Kruševo with great conditions and, happily, no accidents.

Slovenia’s Tilen Ceglar took the overall title to become the new European Champion, with Roger Aeschbacher (Switzerland) second and Álvaro Romero Camacho (Spain) third. In the women’s class, Anna Berger (North Macedonia) claimed the crown, ahead of Elisa Deutschmann (Germany) and Silvia Buzzi Ferraris (Italy). Slovenia also won the team (nations) title, followed by North Macedonia and Spain.

“I still haven’t realised I’m European Champion,” Anna posted afterwards, thanking the support system that made it possible. Elisa called her second place “bittersweet”, proud of how she flew and how much she grew during the event.

Britain’s Seb Ospina described a bittersweet week, shadowed by news of the devastating earthquake back home in Colombia, but praised the “incredible weather, amazing atmosphere, no accidents, flawless organisation” of the nine tasks around the Pelagonia Valley.

Notably absent was France, who boycotted the event over a long-running dispute with the organiser – meaning 2024 champions Maxime Pinot and Constance Mettetal, along with reigning World Champion Baptiste Lambert, were not there to defend their titles. Meet director Goran Dimiskovski said the French absence was a source of regret and “strictly political”.

Nine tasks in the heat of a Balkan summer put a premium on staying fuelled and hydrated – a Your Journey Bottle is a small but essential part of any comp pilot’s kit.

Comp season ahead? Pack smart between rounds with a fast-packing bag built for quick, protective turnarounds.