India’s first Paragliding World Cup has begun at Bir Billing near Baijnath town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Snow leopard is the official mascot of this World Cup.

It is for the first time that Paragliding World Cup is being organised in a South Asian country. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju flagged off the event.

In this one week competition, more than 130 registered pilots including 14 women pilots from 35 countries would take part. Indian side is represented by 8 flyers and 6 among them are from the Himachal Pradesh.

The Paragliding World Cup will have different categories of competition including Paragliding, Hot air ballooning, Hand gliding and Acrobatic shows.

Luis Leao Pinto of Portugal has won 2015 MTB Himalaya Title, Asia’s premier mountain biking race for the second time in the Solo Men’s category.

With this victory he received the crown tile of ‘King of the Himalaya’ which he had earlier won in year 2013.

He took time of 27:29:22 to complete 500 km long 7 stages biking race which ended at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

Results of Solo Men’s category: Luis Leao Pinto (Portugal), Andi Seewald (Germany), Pau Zamora (Spain).

Open Women’s Solo category: Catherine Williamson from United Kingdom has emerged as winner in the Open Women’s Solo category. She was followed by Ilda Periera of Portugal and Laxmi Magar from Nepal for second and third position respectively.