The 2024 Porterville Paragliding Open took place from December 15 to December 21 in Porterville, South Africa, as a Category 2 cross-country paragliding event. The competition attracted top pilots from around the world, showcasing exceptional skills in a series of challenging tasks designed to test distance, speed, and precision flying abilities.
Event Overview
The competition featured five tasks, each carefully planned to challenge the pilots with varying conditions and distances ranging from 48.2 km to 84.8 km. Tasks were designed to test pilots’ endurance, navigation skills, and ability to adapt to the changing weather patterns typical of the Western Cape region during the summer months.
The event maintained high safety standards with thorough pilot briefings and strict equipment checks. Emergency medical personnel were present throughout the event to ensure participant safety.
Results
- Winner: Austin Cox (USA) flying an Ozone Enzo 3 with a total score of 3566 points.
- 2nd Place: Mike Lester (USA) also on an Ozone Enzo 3, scoring 3462 points.
- 3rd Place: Kirill Kostiuchenko (Kazakhstan) on a Niviuk X-One, with 3342 points.
Top South African Performers
- Russell Achterberg placed 4th with a total of 3272 points.
- Heinrich Marloth finished 5th with 3149 points.
Sooty Falcon Cup
The event also hosted the prestigious Sooty Falcon Cup, a competition between South Africa and La Réunion. South Africa emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tasks.
Notable Performances
Several pilots displayed remarkable flying strategies during the event. Austin Cox secured his victory with consistent high scores across all tasks, including near-perfect completion of Task 5, the longest and most challenging segment of the competition.
Mike Lester performed exceptionally well despite difficult weather conditions, showing impressive recovery skills in Task 2. Meanwhile, local pilot Russell Achterberg demonstrated solid form, securing a top-five finish and representing South Africa proudly.
Event Atmosphere and Conditions
Porterville, known for its reliable thermal activity and scenic landscapes, provided an ideal setting for the event. The weather remained mostly favourable, with strong thermals and moderate wind conditions, allowing for competitive flying on all days. The event also included social gatherings, enhancing the community spirit among international and local pilots.
Safety and Organization
The event organizers ensured the highest safety standards, with daily pilot briefings, airspace monitoring, and on-site emergency response teams. No major incidents were reported, reflecting the professionalism and preparedness of both the pilots and the event staff.
Closing Ceremony
The event concluded with a celebratory closing ceremony where winners were honoured, and participants received commemorative awards. Organizers expressed their gratitude to sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible. Local pilots also received various awards sponsored by The Glen club and OHSCare, including the SA cup, XContest and best Competition pilots for 2025.
The 2024 Porterville Paragliding Open successfully highlighted the thrill and skill of competitive paragliding, leaving a lasting impression on both the participants and the local community.
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