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Event info

This year, the Italian Open Championship welcomes you to Sestola, a location that has been a cornerstone for paragliding competitions since 1992, hosting numerous Coppa Italia events and serving as the venue for the Paragliding Championships in 2003 and 2014.

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Flying site

The territory of Sestola stretches from the 321 meters of the Scoltenna Valley floor to the 2165 meters of Mount Cimone, with varying environmental characteristics according to altitude.

Summer is the season when the Apennines can be fully experienced, appreciating its natural richness through hikes, enjoying ideal temperatures for practicing one of the many possible sports, or simply seeking relaxation and entertainment through the village streets.

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  • 79 Pilots Confirmed
  • 213 Pilots total registered
  • 260 EUR Entry fee
Go to Pilot List
  • 130 Pilots max allowed
  • 34 Countries presented
  • ✅ All certified wings allowed
  • 🏆 FAI Status = CAT 2 🏅
  • left before start of event
  • Registration will open on
    11/02 08:00 (Europe/Rome)

  • 🛰️

    The organiser will supply Live trackers to you, for safety and scoring

    Live trackers supplied
  • 🚁

    The region supports helicopter rescues

    Helicopter rescue
  • ⚕️

    There will be medical rescue services at launch

    Medic on takeoff
  • 📱

    The region generally has good phone coverage

    Good phone coverage
  • 📻

    We will be monitoring radios for your safety whilst you fly

    Radio coverage
  • 🚐

    There will be vehicles supplied to take you to launch

    Launch Transport
  • 🥾

    There will be retrieve vehicles available to return pilots to HQ

    Retrieve included
  • 💩

    There are toilets at, or near, the launch

    Toilets on takeoff
  • 🛰

    The organisers will download the tracklogs at HQ for scoring

    Tracklogs managed
  • 📢

    The organisers are using Airtribune for registration, tracking, blogging and to publish scores

    Airtribune blogging
  • 🏋️

    There will be ballast water available at launch

    Ballast on takeoff
  • 🥪

    There will be daily lunch packs for pilots

    Lunch packs
  • 🗺

    The organisers will give you printed maps at registration

    Maps are supplied
  • 💳

    The organisers will give you an ID card with all the essential items listed

    ID Cards
  • The organisers will have free WiFi available at HQ

    Free WiFi
  • 🎉

    There will be an organised party during or after the event

    Party
  • 🎵

    There will be live music or a DJ at the event

    Live music
  • 👕

    You will receive a tshirt or other welcome gift

    Free gift
  • 🅰

    This event awards PWCA letters

    PWCA Letters

Contacts

Event info

This year, the Italian Open Championship welcomes you to Sestola, a location that has been a cornerstone for paragliding competitions since 1992, hosting numerous Coppa Italia events and serving as the venue for the Paragliding Championships in 2003 and 2014. Nestled in the heart of Italy, Sestola offers not only a stunning backdrop for the championship but also boasts one of the most beautiful flying sites in the country. Join us for an exhilarating week of competition from the 21st to the 27th of July 2024.

Flying site

The territory of Sestola stretches from the 321 meters of the Scoltenna Valley floor to the 2165 meters of Mount Cimone, with varying environmental characteristics according to altitude.

Summer is the season when the Apennines can be fully experienced, appreciating its natural richness through hikes, enjoying ideal temperatures for practicing one of the many possible sports, or simply seeking relaxation and entertainment through the village streets.

The village is situated 1020 meters above sea level, within the Frignano Park, and is dominated by Mount Cimone (2165 meters), the highest peak in the northern Apennines, as well as other mountains around 1700-2000 meters which act as the watershed of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

In the upper area of ​​the village, you will find various tourist facilities such as Pian del Falco, Passo del Lupo, and Lago della Ninfa. This makes it an ideal area for nature lovers for walks, hikes, and sports such as mountain biking, downhill, and paragliding.

We recommend visiting in the summer the Alpine Botanical Garden Esperia - a botanical oasis of national importance located on the slopes of Mount Cimone.

Sestola-Mount Cimone is also the largest ski area in the northern Apennines with its 50 km of downhill skiing slopes.

Located on the slopes of Mount Cimone, in an area characterized by beech and fir forests, is Lake della Ninfa - situated at about 1500 meters above sea level, a starting point for summer excursions and cross-country skiing.

On the summit of Mount Cimone, there is a meteorological station and the Air Force Station "Ottavio Vittori" of the National Research Council - ISAC Institute - for the study of the atmosphere and climate.

Paragliding is a very popular sport here in summer. Since 1986-87, it has always been a renowned site, also for hang gliding. Since 1991, the site has hosted numerous pilots for national competitions such as the Italian Cup and Italian championships.

Flights in Sestola are mainly thermal due to the particular morphology of the terrain; dynamic conditions are rare and localized.

Paragliding in Sestola offers great satisfaction: the beauty of the Apennine landscape, the generous and respectable altitudes (exceeding 4000 meters!), make visiting these places an experience not to be missed. Additionally, the area offers significant safety features due to the gentle relief and ample landing areas in the valleys.

Takeoff - easy; grassy and wide. It's a ski slope with a gentle slope. The location is well-suited for takeoffs with winds from the north, northeast, east, and even with light southerly breezes.

The takeoff is at 1500 meters and is located at Pian del Falco. The landing site is located in Poggioraso, about a 5-minute walk from the operational center (Hotel Il Poggio), and 15 minutes away from the takeoff area.

Selection and entry fee

Entry fee
Regular entry fee is € 260.00. If registration is made after 28th April 2024 or if payment is made after the established deadline, the entry fee is € 330.00.

Registration
Pre-registration can be done only through the web site https://airtribune.com.
Regular pre-registration will be open from the 12th of February until the 28th of April 2024.
All pre-registrations made after this time will be considered "late registration".

Participants and selection
The maximum number of participants admitted to the competition is 130:
- 60% (78) of available places are reserved to Italian pilots (until the second selection round). The selection will be made following the Italian Overall Ranking (reference date 31st October 2023);
- 10 places are reserved to female pilots (until the second selection round);
- 7 wild cards, assigned by the organizers;
- 3 wild cards assigned by the Italian Team Leader;
- other available places will be assign to foreign pilots according to the FAI WPRS ranking system (reference date 28th April 2024).

The Selection will start on 28th April 2024 and the final list will be published within 12th May 2024.
In case of equal rankings, priority will be given to the first pilot who made the pre-registration.
Registration to the competition becomes effective only after the entry fee payment. Confirmation will be sent to pilots by email and published in the list of confirmed participants. Pilots who won’t pay within the payment deadline, will be moved at the bottom of the selection list and their status will be changed in "waiting list".
Organizers have the right to not accept the registration of pilots considered not eligible or in case the compliance with legal requirements cannot be verified.

Documents required at registration

  • Issued by your local NAC on behalf of the FAI. You cannot normally compete in an FAI event without one. Contact your National Association (NAC)

    FAI Sporting Licence
  • The FAI IPPI card is an International card that states your skill level. It is issued by your National Association and matches the level or your flying Licence

    FAI IPPI Card
  • The organiser requires you to present your National flying licence.

    National Licence
  • You will need to sign an applicaton form at the venue. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.

    Signed Application form
  • You will need to sign a waiver or release document to show you understand the risks. Usually the organiser will provide it on arrival.

    Signed Waiver/Release form
  • You will need to provide photo ID on arrival. This could be Passport, Driving Licence or National ID, for example.

    Identification documents needed
  • You must provide the organiser with a copy of your liability (3rd party) insurance documents

    Liability Insurance
  • You must provide the organiser with a copy of your medical, rescue and repatriation insurance. You can purchase Global Rescue cover from Airtribune

    Rescue/Medical Insurance

Cancellation Policy

In case of no valid tasks, the organisation will return to any participant part of the entry fee. The amount will be defined on the basis of the expenses afforded by organizers.
If a pilot withdraws from the competition by 15th June 2024, the entire registration fee will be refunded, minus 30%, to cover organizational costs. The refund will be made at the end of the competition.
Cancellations from 16th June 2024 and until the start of the competition won't be refunded.

Prize fund and scoring categories

The contest will be valid for the awarding of the title of "Italian Paragliding Champion 2024" (with at least one valid task).

According to Italian Rules:
- Ita Overall (B, C, D and CCC certified gliders)
- Ita Female, if there are at least 4 participants
- Ita Serial (B, C, D certified gliders), if there are at least 4 participants
- Open Overall (B, C, D and CCC certified gliders)
- Open Female, if there are at least 5 participants
- Open Serial (B, C, D certified gliders), if there are at least 10 participants
- Open Sport (B, C certified gliders), if there are at least 10 participants

THERE WILL BE ALSO OFFERED GIFTS FROM OUR SPONSORS!

Winners must be present at the awards ceremony to collect the prize.
We do not accept proxies. Prizes not claimed will remain at the organization.

General schedule

Sunday 21st July 2024
17:00-22:00 Official Registration

Monday 22nd July 2024
08:15 Mandatory General and Safety briefing at HQ (obligation to attend)

Monday 22nd July - Saturday 27th July 2024
Contest flying days

Saturday 27th July 2024
19:00 Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony “Open Italian Championship - Sestola 2024”.

Daily schedule

08.00 Headquarter opens
09.00 Transport to take-off (leaving from HQ)
10:15 Meet Director, Task and Safety committee meeting (at take-off)
10:45 Weather briefing - Pilot briefing – task setting (at take-off)
11:30 Take-off window opens
15:30 Scoring office opens
20:00 Provisional ranking

Schedule may change depending on weather conditions or organizational needs. Any change will be published on the official board at the HQ and on the official social channels.

Accommodation and Activities

How to get here

Hotel Ristorante Al Poggio
Via Poggioraso, 88
41029 Sestola MO
Italia

- By Car

From Milan / Reggio Emilia:
Take the A1 Motorway towards Modena Nord exit. Follow signs for Abetone along S.S. 12, passing through the towns of Montale Rangone, Pozza di Maranello, Gorzano, Pavullo, and Querciagrossa. After the latter, turn left towards Renno along S.P. 30 and continue until Sestola.

From Rome / Bologna:
Take the A1 Motorway towards Modena Sud exit. Follow signs for Cimone along S.P. 623, passing through the towns of Spilamberto and Vignola. In the latter town, turn right onto S.P. 4 and continue through Marano sul Panaro and Casona di Marano until Fanano. Then, take S.P. 324 towards Sestola.

From Pistoia / Porretta:
Take S.P. 64 towards Silla. Continue along S.P. 324 to Lizzano in Belvedere, then to Fanano, and finally to Sestola.

From Pistoia / Abetone:
Take S.S. 12 towards Pievepelago, then take S.P. 324. Pass through the towns of Riolunato, Montecreto, and the Roncoscaglia fraction, continuing to Sestola.

- By Bus

Modena - Vignola - Sestola Line

Modena - Pavullo - Sestola Line

Bologna - Vignola - Sestola Line

- By Train

Modena Train Station

Bologna Train Station

- By Plane

Bologna G. Marconi Airport


Sestola Italy

Downloads

Waypoint files

Organizers

SHEILA PASSINI
Organization
PINNA FRANCESCO
Organization
STEFANO DALLAVALLE
Organization
FABIO LORO
MEET DIRECTOR
LEONE PASCALE ANTONIO
TASK SETTER-ORGANIZATION SUPPORT MAN
DORA ARENA
TRACKER
ANTONIO GOLFARI
SCOREKEEPER

Contacts

Socials

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Click here for the event WPRS forecast

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