​​1. General

The WANDERBIRD Trophy is an extreme sports event. The Trophy combines speedhiking & paragliding, which is done several times in a row during the event. Starting from the event area in the valley, the participants start towards the first paragliding take-off point. Several turnpoints have to be completed in a given order.

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2. Registration

2.1 Participants rules 

All men and women who have reached the age of 18 are eligible to register.

Each participant must have sufficient physical condition and experience in paragliding and alpine terrain. The permission to start depends on the acceptance of the conditions of participation.

 

2.2 Registration process

The registration period for the respective WANDERBIRD Trophy will be announced on the respective event detail page.  It is expressly pointed out that registrations can only be taken into account if all participants are registered with full details and the entry fee has been received in full on the organizer's account. If this is not the case, the registration is considered as not received. The registration takes place exclusively via the online registration on our website www.wanderbird.io. All registrations received by email, post, fax or telephone will not be considered. During the registration period, the current list of participants with the starting places fixed until then will be published on our website. The organizer reserves the right to exclude persons from participation at any time without giving reasons.

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2.3 Selection

Registration is on a "first come - first serve" basis - limited number of participants.
The total number of participants is limited to 120 pilots. 

For events, which are valid for the Austrian or German Championship Hike & Fly, 25 % of the available slots are reserved for pilots from other nations (nations other than that of the organiser). The registration deadline for foreign pilots is 15 days before the start of the respective competition.

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3. Entry fee

3.1 Costs

The individual entry fee for the specific WANDERBIRD Trophy event will be published on the individual Event page on www.wanderbird.io.

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3.2 Cancellation rule

Should one of the athletes withdraw from the competition 14 days before the event, the entry fee will be refunded in full. After this date, a refund is no longer possible, the entry fee is forfeited in favor of the organizer. 

In case of cancellation of the event due to force majeure, no registration fees will be refunded to the athletes.​

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4.Requirements 

4.1 Health 

With the participation the participant confirms to be in perfect health condition to meet the requirements of the respective event. Medical certificates could be needed depending on the country's rules. 

 

4.2 Insurance

Each pilot must provide proof of insurance that covers them during competitive practice.

 

4.3 Mobile Phone

Each pilot has to carry a charged mobile phone with WhatsApp with him all the time. It is also mandatory for the pilot to be part of the WhatsApp-Athletes group to get all updates regarding weather, race information or race cancelling. In case of any danger (e.g. bad weather) the race will be canceled and the information will be spread in the WhatsApp-Athletes group. Therefore the pilot has to check this group for updates before he launches. 

 

5. Categories and equipments

For each trophy, the participant has the choice to compete in one of three categories. FUN, TOUR or HERO. ​

5.1 FUN

Amateur paraglider who prefers to fly rather than go up. Category for pilots with good flying experience, launching & landing skills (alpine launch sites & small landing area).

• Prerequisites

  • Pilot's license

    • ​Every pilot in possession of a pilot's license is aware of the legal requirements for participation in this event and acts on his/her own responsibility. e.g.: IPPI card 5

  • ​The participant's equipment must comply with legal regulations and has to be carried by the participant all the time:

    • Insurance

    • approved glider

    • approved harness with protector

    • helmet

    • Rescue parachute

    • mobile phone with WhatsApp

• Sporting challenge:

  • 1 lap with with at least one mandatory mountain lift + the rest optional on foot

  • complete all given turnpoints and glide off

  • 2h time penalty for each lift ride

  • if no lift is used, participant will be moved to the Tour category

• Motivation: Not the placing, but the fun of participating in a Hike & Fly competition is in the foreground.

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5.2 TOUR

Hike & Fly enthusiasts for whom a gondola would never be an option.  Category for experienced paragliders & trained endurance athletes.

• Prerequisites

  • Pilot's license

    • Every pilot in possession of a pilot's license is aware of the legal requirements for participation in this event and acts on his/her own responsibilit. e.g.: IPPI card 5

  • ​The participant's equipment must comply with legal regulations and has to be carried by the participant all the time:

    • Insurance

    • approved glider

    • approved harness with protector

    • helmet

    • Rescue parachute

    • mobile phone with WhatsApp

• Sporting challenge:

  • 1 lap without mountain lifts

  • Complete all given turnpoints and glide off
     

• Motivation: Fun at the sportive challenge is in the foreground

 

5.3 HERO

Ambitious Hike & Fly athletes. Category for very experienced paragliders & very trained endurance athletes. HERO category is a FAI cat. 2 event, regulated also on the FAI Sporting Code, Section 7 & 7L.

• Prerequisites

  • Pilot's license

    • Every pilot in possession of a pilot's license is aware of the legal requirements for participation in this event and acts on his/her own responsibility. e.g.: IPPI card 5

    • If the participant want to take part in the Austrian or German Championships and the FAI world ranking, a CIVL ID + FAI ID is necessary. 

  • ​The participant's equipment must comply with legal regulations and has to be carried by the participant all the time:

    • Insurance

    • approved glider

    • approved harness with protector

    • helmet

    • Rescue parachute

    • mobile phone with WhatsApp

• Sporting challenge:

  • 2 laps without mountain lifts

  • Complete all given turnpoints and glide off
     

• Motivation: Personal best performance & sportive competition are in the foreground.

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6. Program 

6.1 Starter package and check-in

The distribution of the starter package and the check-in will take place the day before the WANDERBIRD Trophy between 16:00 and 20:00. The GPS trackers will be handed out on race day in the morning. For an updated time schedule check the event page.

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6.2 Briefing

On the day before/day of arrival there will be a mandatory pilot briefing for all participants at 18:30. For an updated time schedule check the event page.

 

6.3 Event planning

Each event has its own schedule, and the details can be found on the event page.

 

7. Race committee

7.1 Members of the race committee, race committee overall management & organizers

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Paul Guschlbauer (paul@wanderbird.io) - Sports Director

Dominik Brandstetter (dominik@wanderbird.io) - Event management
 

 

7.2 Bad weather variant

The WANDERBIRD Trophy will take place in all weather conditions. If the competition is no longer sufficiently safe due to whatever circumstances (weather, etc.), the course can be relocated, shortened, only partially scored or completely cancelled. Which variant is used depends on the individual situation. In case of an event cancellation, there is no alternative competition day. Optionally, due to better flying weather, the competition day can be moved from Saturday to Sunday.

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7.3 Protest

All disputed issues will be decided exclusively by the race committee. Protests are to be submitted in writing on race day until 5 minutes after the end of the race at the race office (tent GPS issue) for a fee of € 100,-. No further appeal is allowed against the final decision of the race committee.

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7.4 Race change

For safety reasons, the race committee reserves the right to change the course at any time, to cancel a competition or to evaluate it only partially. The course will be adapted to the weather conditions and to the flying conditions.
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8. Course

8.1 Route

The route leads the participants partly into exposed positions. It is therefore recommended to inform yourself in advance about the condition, the course and the dangers that can lurk on the route. Caution is generally advised! Questions about the route are to be asked at the "briefing" to avoid ambiguities.
All athletes must complete the turnpoints in the given order. When reaching a turnpoint, a photo must be taken in front of the turnpoint sign as proof. The choice of the route between the turnpoints is left to the athletes themselves (unless otherwise defined at the briefing).
Since the choice of route is left to the athletes themselves, the route will only be partially signposted.

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8.2 Route rules 

The inspection and training on the route is the responsibility of the respective athlete and has to be done under consideration of the rights of the neighbors and property owners.
Turnpoints & Waypoints are available for download at the respective event. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the route in detail and to train on it.

 

8.3 Waypoints

Waypoints for each course will be posted on the event page.

 

8.4 Distance 

• 1 lap (FUN, TOUR) - see details at the respective event

• 2 laps (HERO) - details see at the respective event

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8.5 GPS tracking 

The ranking is made directly by the GPS tracker given by the organisation. It is the participant's responsibility to provide a second GPS track if the tracker’s data fails or if they dispute an airspace/forbidden zone violation.

All GPS trackers issued by the organizer must be returned immediately after the end of the race to the designated return point. If GPS trackers are lost or not returned, € 250,- will be charged per tracker.

 

​8.6 Route Safety

 

• To ensure the safety of all participants and bystanders, special care must be taken when selecting alternative landing areas – i.e., those located outside of the landing points clearly defined and marked by the organizer.

• Should a landing outside the designated zones become necessary (e.g., due to weather conditions, loss of thermals, or safety-relevant situations), the following criteria must be observed:

• No landing near crowds: Public areas such as hiking trails, spectator areas, parking lots, or event spaces must be avoided without exception.

• Public spaces and inner-city areas such as city squares, playgrounds, schoolyards, or parks are not suitable as alternative landing areas.

• Landing areas must be sufficiently large, clearly visible, and free of obstacles (power lines, fences, trees, houses).

• It must be ensured that neither people nor property are endangered.

• In case of doubt, a controlled abort or an intermediate landing in a safe location is always preferable to a risky landing on unsuitable terrain.

• The same criteria apply to the selection of launching places not marked by the organizer.

 

9. Ranking and price money

9.1 Ranking 

In a total of six different classifications, women & men will be judged in the three categories Fun, Tour, Hero.
The ranking is determined in the order of pilots' arrival. The winning pilot is the one who completes the course in the shortest time. The timing is recorded when the pilot enters the arrival waypoint radius, with potential penalties applied.
If no pilot completes the entire course, the ranking will be based on the remaining distance to the goal. The distance will be measured regardless of whether the pilot is on the ground or in the air at the time limit.

 

9.2 Overall ranking 

​The overall championship combines all Trophy events. Your total points will be calculated from your best 3 results across all events of the season. You'll be included in the rankings even if you compete in fewer events.

Trophy events award full points (100 points for a win). 

Every race counts - join us for as many events as you can to maximize your chances of achieving your best scores!

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The top three in the overall ranking men and women in each category will be rewarded during an official ceremony, celebrating their perseverance and achievements throughout the season.

• The 2025 season runs January through October, with our grand finale celebration in November.

• ​The 2026 season starts November 1st 2025.

Join us in making this inaugural championship season memorable!

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9.3 Scoring system​​​

 

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Additional places:

TROPHIES: Decreasing points until 30th place (2 points), then 1 point for participation

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When upgrading to a higher category in trophies (FUN to TOUR or TOUR to HERO), 50% of the accumulated points are carried over and count towards the annual ranking of the new category.

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In case of a tie in trophies rankings, the following criteria apply:

1. Higher number of first places

2. Higher number of second places

3. Higher number of third places

4. Higher number of participations

 

​​9.4 Prize money 

The top 3 of each event rankings in the category "Hero" (women and men) will win prize money.
Paragliding is a sport where men and women can compete together, and we are convinced that performance has no gender. However, we create separate male and female rankings, which is why we have tried to find a fair system for men and women.
It is also our way of promoting female participation in hike and fly events. 
As soon as 30% of the participants are women, the prize money is divided equally between men and women. Below 30% of women, the amount awarded is calculated by a defined mathematical formula.

Total prize money for each Trophy event in the HERO category: 3.000 € 

​Total prize prize money for overall championship ranking in the HERO category:  6.000 € 

For participants who do not have their primary residence in Austria, we have to pay 20% of the respective prize money to the tax office. The participant can subsequently reclaim this 20 % from the tax office. We're happy to assist with any questions.

 

10. Race regulations

10.1 Fairness

Unfair or dangerous actions of any kind towards other participants will result in immediate disqualification. We wish that the participants support each other in case of an accident and that first aid is provided.

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10.2 Aids

The use of aids (motorized ascent aids, weights for paragliding, doping etc. (demonstrative enumeration)) as well as external aids of any kind are strictly forbidden.

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10.3 Paragliding rules

​For the paragliding competition the normal paragliding rules as well as the Code Sportive are valid. Pilots must comply with aviation rules, airspace restrictions, and other local regulations presented during the mandatory briefing.

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10.4 Doping 

The anti-doping regulations have to be observed.

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10.5 Support

The participant is allowed to get support (water, food,..) from other people.

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10.6 Penalties and disqualification

In case of non compliance with the rules, the race committee reserves the right to adjust the penalties according to the severity and underlying intentions. 

A penalty may also be given in the case that the race committee thinks the conduct of the pilot was dangerous for his/her health (strong wind, thunderstorms, etc.). This penalty may be applied during the race or later, after verification of the tracks. 

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11. Media

11.1 Image rights

By participating in the WANDERBIRD Trophy, each participant grants the organizer as well as the broadcasting TV and radio stations and photographers the irrevocable right to evaluate and publish the recordings (audio and video) made by him/her in connection with participation in the WANDERBIRD Trophy without compensation and without temporal or spatial restriction by means of any technical process for any permitted purpose.

 

11.2 Sponsor areas

It is forbidden for each participant to cover or remove any sponsor surface of the organizer (start numbers, banners, headbands etc.). It is forbidden to place sponsors from outside the event along the course.

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11.3 Data

Each participant agrees that his/her name will be published in an entry & result or if he/she is determined as the winner of a discipline and gets on the podium. Likewise, each participant agrees that photographs or film recordings or interviews taken of him/her in the course of the event may be published in any media (including online) for the purpose of reporting on the event or promoting it, without the participants being entitled to any claims whatsoever in this connection.

 

12. Liability

Participation in the WANDERBIRD events involves certain and uncertain risks for the participants. By signing the terms and conditions of participation or by checking the box in the online registration with the acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation, the participant declares that if he/she suffers any damage or is injured, he/she will not claim compensation of any kind whatsoever from the organizer and /or the clubs responsible for the competitions. Furthermore, by signing the conditions of participation, the participant confirms that he/she has a valid personal liability insurance and a valid personal leisure accident insurance covering his/her participation in the WANDERBIRD Trophy (incl. liability insurance and recovery costs for competitions). The participant undertakes to indemnify the organizer for all damages incurred by him/her, third parties or any property damage caused by his/her participation in the WANDERBIRD Trophy.

 

13. CHANGE

The race committee reserves the right to change or amend these regulations at any time.

Wanderbird Team - April 2025