FAI European Paragliding Championships Get Underway in Kruševo
The 18th FAI European Paragliding Championships are officially underway in Kruševo, North Macedonia. The competition opened on 8 August and runs for twelve days, wrapping up on 19 August.
Around 130 of Europe’s finest pilots from 30 nations have gathered to compete for honours in the overall, women’s and national classifications. Yet this year’s event carries an unusual note of controversy: the French team is absent, following a long-running disagreement with the competition organiser over safety and other issues.
In a joint statement, FFVL president Clémence Petre and national technical director Eric Wyss said French national team pilots would not take part in the 2026 Senior European Paragliding Championship or the Junior World Paragliding Championship. The decision, they explained, stems from the organiser’s refusal to provide written confirmation of details that were only outlined verbally during a discussion held on 15 June 2026.
The fallout is significant: reigning European champion Maxime Pinot is not in Kruševo to defend his title, nor is French World Champion Baptiste Lambert, and the women’s field loses current World Champion and defending European champion Constance Mettetal. France have stood on the team podium at every European Championship since 2014, so their absence could hand other pilots and nations their big chance.
Many of those lining up are sharp and comp-ready after the recent World Cup round in Gemona, Italy. German pilot Ferdinand Vogel, who won the final task in Italy, has already claimed the training task in Kruševo. Also in the mix are Switzerland’s Roger Aeschbacher, third overall in Gemona, and Italian X-Alps pilot Davide Sassuelli, who finished eighth there.
The women’s lineup is just as strong, featuring Sarah Zimmermann (SUI), Elisa Deutschmann (GER), runner-up at the recent World Cup, local favourite Anna Berger (MKD) and Mette Krum (DEN), winner of the women’s category at the SRS Ozone Edition. With a demanding twelve-day programme ahead, staying hydrated through long task days is a priority — a refillable Your Journey Bottle keeps water within easy reach from launch to goal.
The European Championships are held every two years at a different venue. Kruševo is a renowned cross-country and competition site, offering a mix of mountain flying and vast open plains that put flatland skills to the test. Launch is a short bus ride from the hill town, while landing options out front are practically limitless.
Results and further information are available on the official European Paragliding Championships 2026 website, with live tracking on Flymaster.
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