PARAGLIDING NEWS - After a four-year hiatus, local paragliding pilot and instructor Khobi-Jane Bowden not only took part in the Paragliding World Cup (PWC), but managed to secure a place on the podium.
Bowden and the rest of the SA Paragliding team, André Rainsford (Hartebeespoort Dam), Russell Achterberg (Cape Town) and Jon Pio (Pretoria), embarked on a journey to Pico do Gaviao in Brazil to take part in the 2023 PWC from 23 to 30 September.
The team have all been Protea pilots since 2011.
Bowden said the PWC is often referred to as the Formula 1 of the paragliding world.
With Bowden (second right) on the podium in third place are Johanna Hamne (Sweden) in first, Maria Alejandra Mejia (Columbia) in second place, Marcella Uchoa (Brazil) in fourth place and Isabela Sales (Brazil) in fifth place.
"The PWC season is a thrilling journey that encompasses five competitions. The crème de la crème of each competition, the top 20 participants, earn the privilege of competing in the Super Final - an intense two-week event," she said.
"Daily flying tasks covered a distance ranging from 80 to 100km," she said.
More than 120 pilots took part and Bowden earned her place on the ladies' podium, securing a third place finish.
Khobi-Jane Bowden (seated in the middle) sharing the podium with fellow pilots.
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