Indian National Accuracy Championship 2016

107 pilots from 15 countries took part in the first Indian National Open Accuracy Paragliding Championship at Bir-Billing,60 kms from here today.

KANGRA- Bir-Billing claims to be one of the world’s most suitable sites for paragliding and had also hosted the World Paragliding Championship in 2015.

Now, it has successfully hosted the four day long ‘First Indian National Open Air Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2016’, organized by Billing Paragliding Association and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department, local pilots have come into limelight after competing against 107 professional pilots including 9 women from 15 nations.

Photo: Jagran

Kamal Kumar, a resident of Bir village, outshined professional pilots from various countries to win first prize in the First Indian National Open Air Paragliding Accuracy Championship 2016 held in Bir-Billing from 11-14 November.  

However, Aditi Thakur – a 15-year-old girl, also a resident of Bir Village, remained the highlight as the youngest woman pilot who surprised all by claiming third rank among 9 professional women paragliders in the championship. Aditi  was amateur and the youngest of all participants and had started learning paragliding skills in March this year.

As she is a native of the Bir village, it was routine for her to witness man achieving one of the biggest dream of humankind – flying like a bird.  It fueled her desire to pursue paragliding. An 11-class student at the Government Senior Secondary School Bir, her father works with paragliding event organizers. The environment helped her to come in contact with her coach Gurpreet, who is imparting her paragliding skills.   

Aditi is enthusiastic and thrilled receiving admiration for her skilfull performance despite little training and has plans to pursue paragliding as sports at other paragliding contests. A great credit goes to her parents, who instantly allowed her to pursue her dream. 

Nine women paragliders, including three Indians, two Russians and one each from South Africa, Italy, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey will compete in the four-day international meet. One has to complete at least three of a total of four tasks assigned during the course of the competition, Jyoti Thakur, director of the event, said. The weather condition is absolutely fine for the sport here, she said, adding that the task for the day is ‘Bullseye landing’.