“The competitions, officially called Cross Country Paragliding, will begin on 15 Feb and conclude on 21 Feb,” said Bhagra.Bhagra said Panchgani has a potential to become the world-class adventure tourism destination, especially for paragliding enthusiasts, as nowhere in Europe can one do winter flying, making Panchgani, with its conducive weather and landscape, an ideal spot.Among the competing pilots, 14 are from India. Every day, the pilots cover between 80km and 140km in the air, depending on the weather.Commnenting on the safety and security, Bhagra said, “We have two rescue teams on the ground, who are stationed at strategic positions and move with the pilot’s route so that they can reach the pilot immediately in emergency. We have one rescue boat on the lake with two personnel. We also have two doctors, specialist in sports injury and trauma and 2 ambulances. All safety protocols laid down by the international federation and World Cup association are met.“Before this, Panchgani witnessed two pre-World Cup events for paragliding in 2024 and 2025. While paragliding has been operating in Panchgani for years, govt started regulating it after a govt resolution (GR) on adventure sports in 2021. Now these adventure sports centres are expected to use standardised equipment, harnesses, etc. Only after inspection, police verification, among other steps, a licence to operate is issued.Anupam Jadhav Patil, owner of High Fly Paragliding Panchgani, said, “Wherever you paraglide, you take off from a height and land at a lower level. Panchgani has an elevation of 4,000 ft above sea level. It is a place where you take off, then go up by about 2,000ft, and return to land at the same place.”He elaborated that their gliders have reserve parachutes, but only once, in 20,000-plus times they flew, had it been opened due to sudden, unexpected bad weather. “Events like the World Cup are crucial because it puts you on the international map of adventure sports. This will help the local economy as well,” said Jadhav Patil.The event is organised under the Paragliding World Cup Association, France, with the help of local organisers XC Wings Aeropsports Private Limited and High Fly Paragliding. “The event was approved by the Aero Club of India, Delhi, the Paragliding Association of India, and the ministry of tourism Maharashtra,” added Bhagra.
