Italy

Organized by the local paragliding club of Malcesine this event started already in 1997 as a flying festival, paragliding get-together and accuracy landing competition. In 2003 it already included a small acro competition as well won by Alexander Meschuh.

The World Air Games (WAG) started in 1997 and is an international air sports event organized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (International Aeronautical Federation - FAI), inspired by the Olympic Games and held every four years.

The 2009 edition was held near Torino, Italy and among numerous air sport disciplines the games included paragliding and hang-gliding aerobatics as well. The contest was held near Avigliana and pilots exclusively launched by d-bagging from a helicopter. A part of the competition was broadcast live every day in the Italian media.