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XContest UK 2025

Welcome to The XContest UK!

Welcome to The XContest UK!

This is a three flight XC league for paraglider and hang glider pilots in the UK. We want to promote the adventure of XC flying on our small islands and encourage you on, whatever you fly!

 

What’s the big idea?

A lot of thought has gone into this new format. Firstly, a three flight score helps make things more equal for those in areas where opportunities to score big days are rarer. Secondly, we’re leveling the playing field with a handicap system – meaning that EN A, B and C paraglider pilots can score more equally each day with higher performance flyers. Third, the multipliers for triangles and ‘free’ triangles encourage circuit flying on lightwind days, but equalise the challenges of such flights with the complexities of open distance flying. We think scoring should reflect the fact that there’s only been two 300 km straight line flights in the UK done by paraglider (Richard Carter and Hugh Miller), and two by hang glider (Carl Wallbank and Nev Almond).

Also, we’re keen to award prizes for the big milestones, to help celebrate your achievements. Fly your first 100 km straight line XC and you’ll be sent a Cross Country XContest 100 T-shirt. Go on to crack your first 200 points, and you’ll earn a Cross Country Speed Top (with gold sleeves).

Above all this is a pilot-represented league, run by a committee, who are here to listen to pilots’ views and shape the contest accordingly.

 

The XContest UK ends 30 September, and restarts on 1 October each year.

2025-07-13

Not all flights are record breaking. Sometimes we just have some fun flying together. Newbies and veterans flying together BCC round in the Black Mountains. Chance to escape the heat at 7000ft.

2025-07-04

2025-06-07

2025-05-27

2025-05-27

What a fantastic streak of good flyable weather we had. From the 17th of April to the 23rd of May, every single day, somewhere in the UK, a paraglider pilot took off and flew. In this time, we have witnessed some truly remarkable achievements. A record-breaking number of new pilots flew their first 100km flights in the UK. I have no data to back up that claim, to be completely honest, but judging by the numerous claims of new 100k flights on a Telegram chat, I believe this is true. Due to persistent easterly winds, a small site just North of Luton Airport became one of the most popular long-distance take-off points in the country, I am of course talking about Sharpenhoe. The number of 100+ km has already surpassed all previous years and currently stands at 15, with 4 of those being 200+ km. Last but not least, another record-breaking feat was the UK's longest declared FAI triangle - 139km! Flown by Joe Dart from Mount Blair in Scotland on the 20th of May. https://www.xcontest.org/world/en/flights/detail:JoeDart/20.5.2025/10:47 Photos courtesy Aga Zaborowska, Joe Dart. Marcin Egiert XContestUK #XContestUK #Paragliding

2025-05-12

Possibly the best day of the year arrived early, on May 9, 2025, when a solid 5-star forecast across the country lured many XC enthusiasts. It turned out to be a record-breaking (possibly?) day for Malverns Hill, where 12 pilots reached the Irish Sea braving the infamous "boonies", where bombing out can sometimes mean several hours trek through remote hills.. Some truly remarkable flights were made by Tim Pentreath (195km) and Joe Dart (185km), who did not settle for flying to Aberystwyth but opened a new route by continuing north and landing in Snowdonia. This feat was repeated on the following day when Joe Dart flying with Alex Coltman, reached Anglesley. Those chasing league big numbers on the tables went to Sharpenhoe near Luton. Just getting away from the hill is a significant challenge, but due to its location, there is potential for a distance of>200km. 5 pilots reached Wales, 3 reaching over 200km distance. Pictures courtesy: Will Rome, Richard Perkes and Joe Dart Marcin Egiert XContestUK #XContestUK #Paragliding
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