2025 World Championships Brazil
2nd- 12th September Castello, Brazil
By Richard Meek
News from the World Paragliding Championships in Brazil.
The skies above Castelo, Espírito Santo, Brazil, were alive with colour and competition from 2nd to 12th September as 130 of the world’s best cross-country racing pilots went head-to-head in the 19th FAI World Paragliding Championships. A mix of excellent conditions, allowing fast-racing combined with a couple of challenging days tested the field.
Team GB arrived ready to take on the challenge. Seb Ospina, Russ Ogden, Dylan Mansley and Magdalena Janaway, guided by Team Leader Richard Meek, faced an eleven-day test of tactics and stamina. Eight gruelling tasks, ranging from 59 to 72 km, pushed pilots to their limits, with two stopped as the regular strong winds became unsafe for tasking.
The British team rose to the occasion. With disciplined flying and expert decision-making, they clinched 4th place overall in the nation’s ranking. Russ Ogden delivered a standout performance to take 5th place individually, while Seb Ospina followed closely in 8th place. But the French were in magnificent form, dominating the championship as Baptiste Lambert and Honorin Hamard swept to 1st and 2nd, Constance Mettetal claimed the women’s crown, and France secured the coveted team title.
Yet the week was not without heartbreak. Task 5 saw a tragic accident at the goal field. Belgian pilot Bram Declerq received immediate medical care from the French team doctor before being transported to hospital, but devastatingly, passed away a week later. The British team joins the entire paragliding community in offering its deepest condolences to Bram’s family, friends and teammates.
From fierce competition to profound loss, Castelo 2025 will be remembered as a championship of soaring highs and sobering lows; a testament to the courage, camaraderie and passion at the heart of our sport.
Full results here:-
https://civlcomps.org/event/pg-worlds-2025/results
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