Launching the 2019 Paragliding World Cup at Pico do Gaviao
The 2019 Paragliding World Cup at Pico do Gaviao opened with a spectacular 70 km task that set the tone for an intensely competitive week of flying. Pilots faced a demanding course that zigzagged from the southwest, threading its way across the rolling Brazilian landscape and challenging even the most experienced competitors with complex strategic decisions.
Known for its reliable thermals, wide open valleys, and world-class launch site, Pico do Gaviao has become a reference point for international paragliding. The first task of the event confirmed this reputation, delivering a mix of fast racing conditions, tactical gaggles, and high-pressure final glides that kept both pilots and spectators on edge.
Task 1 Overview: A 70 km Zigzag Across the Skies
On Sunday 8 September, the opening task of 70 km was set as a classic race to goal. Rather than a straightforward downwind dash, the route required pilots to zigzag from the southwest across a chain of turnpoints, forcing them to constantly reassess lines, lift, and speed.
The day started with promising cumulus development, hinting at strong thermal activity and generous cloud bases. These conditions allowed the task committee to design a relatively ambitious course for an opening day, knowing Pico do Gaviao can often support long-distance flying with consistent lift and well-defined convergence lines.
Race Strategy: Finding the Fastest Line
From the first climb after the start gate, the field split between conservative and aggressive strategies. Some pilots chose to stay with the main gaggle, trading pure speed for safety in numbers and shared information. Others pushed ahead, seeking stronger lines and bigger climbs away from the crowd.
The zigzag nature of the task meant transitions were rarely direct. Pilots had to balance several factors: staying under working clouds, avoiding blue holes, and judging when to take slightly longer routes in exchange for stronger lift. Those who read the sky well were able to glide further and faster between thermals, converting altitude into distance more efficiently than their rivals.
Weather and Terrain: The Signature Mix of Pico do Gaviao
Pico do Gaviao’s surrounding terrain is a patchwork of fields, low hills, and small forested areas, offering a mix of thermal triggers and safe landing options. On this first task, the sun quickly heated the ground, creating generous thermals that allowed pilots to climb to comfortable working altitudes, often well above the ridges. However, the occasional shading and small areas of weaker lift added complexity, turning each transition into a careful calculation.
As the day developed, stronger climbs formed along a few key lines, and these became the fast lanes for the lead gaggle. Choosing the right moment to leave a climb, when to push bar, and when to retreat to a more conservative line made the difference between gaining precious minutes at goal or watching others glide past.
Key Performances: A Podium Shaped by Precision
The 70 km opener produced a tight, tactical race that ultimately rewarded precise decision-making and disciplined speed control. Among the standout performances were pilots who combined aggressive racing with enough caution to avoid major time losses.
Casanova Takes the Initiative
Casanova emerged as one of the strongest protagonists of the day, demonstrating a commanding understanding of the course and conditions. Pushing hard on bar during key transitions and choosing consistently strong lift lines, Casanova managed to stay near the front throughout the race. Smart use of height before difficult crossings and confident final glide calculations secured a top position that immediately established Casanova as a serious overall contender for the event.
Yael Margelisch: Precision and Consistency
Yael Margelisch delivered a remarkably controlled and efficient flight, earning second place on the task. Her performance showcased the value of precision over raw aggression. By carefully centering thermals, staying under the best clouds, and making disciplined transitions, she avoided the big mistakes that often define the opening day of a competition. Margelisch’s ability to read the sky and maintain strong average speeds without unnecessary risks made her one of the most consistent pilots of the day.
Marcella Uchoa: Local Knowledge and Bold Moves
Marcella Uchoa capitalized on both skill and familiarity with Brazilian conditions to claim a podium position. She was frequently seen choosing slightly alternative lines, taking calculated risks based on a deep understanding of how thermals develop over the local terrain. Uchoa’s approach combined bold moves with sharp tactical awareness, allowing her to stay with the leaders and secure a crucial early result in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Why Task 1 Was Pivotal for the Competition
In multi-day paragliding competitions, the first task often shapes the psychological and tactical landscape for the rest of the event. The 70 km opener at Pico do Gaviao did exactly that. Pilots who performed well gained both ranking advantage and confidence, while those who struggled had to rethink their approach for subsequent tasks.
The day also provided invaluable data: how the valley systems were working, where the strongest triggers lay, and how the typical wind patterns evolved throughout the afternoon. Many pilots would use this knowledge to adjust their tactics in the following tasks, especially when faced with similar southwest-influenced routes and zigzag-style task designs.
Inside the Pilot Mindset on a 70 km Race Day
Beyond the raw numbers of distance and speed, Task 1 also revealed the mental game that defines top-level paragliding. A 70 km race at World Cup level demands full concentration from start to finish. Pilots must constantly evaluate risk versus reward: joining a lower gaggle for security, or gliding ahead alone in search of stronger lines.
Each decision is made with incomplete information. Clouds evolve, lifts weaken, and the positions of rivals are not always visible. The best pilots maintain calm under pressure, adapting quickly to changes instead of clinging to a fixed plan. The opening task highlighted this mental resilience, especially among the leading pilots who managed to convert uncertainty into opportunity.
Pico do Gaviao: More Than Just a Launch Site
The success of the 2019 World Cup opener at Pico do Gaviao also reflects the larger appeal of the region as an all-round flying destination. Reliable conditions, a smooth launch, and expansive landing options create an environment where organizers can confidently set ambitious tasks. For pilots, it is a dream mix: technical enough to be interesting, yet consistent enough to reward skill instead of pure luck.
From an event perspective, Pico do Gaviao offers more than strong thermals and scenic views. Its accessibility, supportive local community, and established flying culture have helped transform the area into a benchmark location on the international paragliding circuit. For many competitors, returning to Pico do Gaviao feels like revisiting a favorite arena where the sky becomes a playing field of tactics, intuition, and pure flying joy.
Looking Ahead: How Task 1 Set the Stage
With Casanova, Yael Margelisch, and Marcella Uchoa establishing themselves at the forefront after the first 70 km race, the tone of the 2019 Pico do Gaviao World Cup was decisively set. The opening day showed that the event would be defined not only by high speeds and long distances, but also by nuanced tactical battles and evolving strategies as pilots learned more about the week’s meteorological patterns.
As subsequent tasks unfolded, the lessons from this demanding first race—where to find the strongest climbs, how early thermals developed, and which lines best connected the turnpoints—would continue to influence every decision. In many ways, Task 1 served as both a test and a tutorial, compressing the essence of high-level paragliding into 70 km of concentrated challenge above the Brazilian landscape.