World Pilot Rankings Update 31/05/01


There are changes to the paragliding, hang gliding, class 2 rankings and precision paragliding. The paragliding rankings see the addition of Bavarian Open, Pre PWC Turkey, Slovenian Nationals and Polish Nationals. There have been no changes to the top 10 places with Martin Brunn (AUT) still in the lead on 286 points, ahead of Masataka Kawachi (JPN, 2nd), Tsuji Tsuyoshi (JPN, 3rd) with =4th Kaspar Henny (SUI) and Andy Hediger (SUI), Christian Tamegger (AUT, 6th), Stephan Stieglair (AUT, 7th) and Andrew Smith (RSA, 8th), Steve Cox (SUI, 9th ) and Jimmy Pacher (ITA, 10th).

Louise Crandal (DEN) still has a clear lead in the female rankings in 39th place overall (185 points) ahead of Andrea Joubert (RSA, 82st overall) who mantains 2nd and Noriko Mizunuma (JPN, 110th overall) ) in 3rd. There are currently 735 pilots ranked from 39 countries.

Accuracy rankings are still dominated by Slovenia, and with the addition of the Alpe Adria Open Accuracy competition, the top 10 places are all held by Slovenian Pilots, with the top 3 Simeon Klococovnik (76 points), Matjaz Sluga (68 points) and Jurij Vertacnik (59 points). The top female is Adreja Erzen (SLO) who is 25 overall. There are 69 pilots from 5 countries (SLO, USA, GBR, NED, AUT)

The hang gliding ranking sees the addition of Wallaby Open (USA), Greek Open, International Swiss Open and the Croatian Open. Oleg Bondarchuk (UKR) remains in 1st, with Manfred Ruhmer's (AUT, 2nd) win at the Wallaby competition closing the gap on Oleg. Richard Walbec (FRA, 3rd), Gerolf Heinrichs (AUT, 4th) and Mario Alonzi (FRA, 5th) have no change to their positions. New to the top 10 are Josef Zweckmayer (AUT) and Robert Reisinger (AUT) in = 6th place, who push the following pilots down 2 places each Gordon Rigg (GB, 8th), Andreas Ohlson (SWE, 9th) and Betinho Schmitz (BRA, 10th).

Kari Castle (USA) maintains the lead of the female rankings and has moved up to 27th place overall, with Kathleen Rigg's (GBR) Wallaby result putting her into 2nd (32nd overall) ahead of Francoise Mocellin (FRA) who drops to 40th overall). There 636 pilots ranked from 39 countries.

Class 2 sees the addition of the International Swiss Open and Wallaby Open, which has caused some changes to the rankings. Brian Porter's (USA) win at Wallaby helps him maintain his lead, with Davis Straub (USA) moving up to 2nd (from 3rd), and David Sharp(USA) moves up to 3rd (from 9th). Johann Posch (AUT) remains in 4th place. Whislt Hansjoerg Truttmann (SUI) jumps up to 5th (from 15th). Diego Bussinger (SUI) drops to 6th (from 2nd). Steve Elkins (GBR, 7th) and Jim Yocom (USA, 8th) are also new to the top 10. Mario Campanelli (BRA) drops from 5th to =8th and Toni Raumauf (AUT) completes the top 10 (10th from 6th).There are 51 pilots from 9 countries.

Results not yet received (and therefore not included in WPRS yet the Argentinian Open (PG), Melgar Open Columbia (PG)

Forthcoming hang gliding competitions (class 1 unless otherwise indicated)
that qualify for WPRS points are:

Category 1: World Air Games, Spain.
Category 2: Millau classic, France; Korean Championships; Nordic Open, Iceland; Test Europeans, Slovenia; Dutch Open, Laragne, France; International de France (class 1 & 2); German Open (class 1 & 2); Test Female Worlds, USA; Test class 2 Worlds, USA; UK Open National Championships, St Andre, France (class 1 & 2); Podbrezova HG Cup, Slovakia; Lone Star National Championships, USA (class 1 & 2).

Forthcoming paragliding competitions that qualify for WPRS points are:

Category 1: World Air Games, Spain.

Category 2: PWC Konitsa, Greece; PWC Simmenthal, Switzerland; Greek PG Championships; Belgian PG Open, France; US nationals/Pre-PWC, USA; Swiss International Championships; Czech/slovak Nationals; Nordic Open , Piedrahita; Test Europeans, Slovenia; British Open, Piedrahita; PWC La Clusaz, France; PWC Castejon, Spain; Canadian PG Championships; Pre PWC Germany; Pre PWc Greece; Norwegian League Final; PWC Kobarid, Slovenia; British International, St Andre, France; Cornizzolo, Italy; Mun Gyong Inernational, Korea. Forthcoming paragliding accuracy competitions that qualify for WPRS points are:. Category 2: Slovenian Open, Slovenia.

Details of these competitions can be found on the CIVL web page: http://events.fai.org/hgpg/civl-calendar.asp

Country Rankings

There is no change in the top 18 places of the paragliding country France 1st, Austria 2nd and Japan 3rd. In hang gliding country rankings France maintains 1st with the USA jumping up to 2nd (from 5th) displacing Great Britain (3rd) Austria (4th) and Australia (5th). There is no change for Brasil (6th) Germany (7th), and Hungary (8th).

Switzerland moves up to 9th (from 10th) and Ukraine up to 10th (from 11th).

Full details of the country rankings (PG and HG) can be found on the World Pilot Ranking System website. Pilots should check that their personal record shows the correct nationality, particularly as there are a number of hang glider and paraglider pilots of unknown nationality.

All amendments should be e-mailed to Sarah Fenwick (civl@ntlworld.com) Full details of the rankings can be found on the FAI/CIVL website at http://www.fai.org/hang_gliding/rankings/