About
XContest is the world's most widely used online XC (cross-country) competition system for paragliding and hang-gliding pilots. Pilots upload their GPS tracks to be automatically scored and ranked against thousands of competitors worldwide, using standardized scoring formulas that reward distance, speed, and flight type (triangles, straight lines, out-and-returns). The platform offers real-time livetracking so friends, family, and fans can follow flights as they happen, with a recently upgraded engine capable of handling record traffic loads. Rankings are broken down into multiple categories — Open, Serial, and Sport class — as well as daily hot-spots that highlight the best flying areas each day. Milestone features such as the 100km Club and Pure 100km Club celebrate key achievements in a pilot's career, complete with official merchandise rewards. XContest covers national and regional competitions in addition to the World XContest, making it a central hub for the global free-flying community. The platform is supported by main partners and integrated with apps like XCTrack for in-flight live data transmission. News highlights showcase record-breaking and exceptional flights from around the world, inspiring pilots at all levels. Whether you are a beginner logging your first cross-country or an elite pilot chasing world records, XContest provides the tools and community to track your progress.
Key Features
- Real-Time Livetracking: Follow pilots live via GPS as they fly, with a newly upgraded engine that handles record-level traffic and works seamlessly with the XCTrack app.
- Automatic XC Scoring & Rankings: Uploaded GPS tracks are automatically scored using standardized formulas and ranked across Open, Serial, and Sport categories globally and by country.
- Daily Scores & Hot-Spots: Daily leaderboards for both paragliding and hang-gliding highlight the best flights and top flying sites around the world each day.
- Milestone Clubs: Special achievement categories like the 100km Club and Pure 100km Club recognize significant pilot milestones, including official merchandise rewards.
- Multi-Year Flight Archive: A comprehensive archive of world contest flights dating back to 2007, enabling pilots to review historical records and personal progression.
Use Cases
- A paragliding pilot uploads their GPS track after a cross-country flight to receive an automatic score and compare their performance against other pilots in their category worldwide.
- A hang-gliding club monitors its members' daily flights and standings on national and world leaderboards to foster friendly competition and celebrate achievements.
- A pilot's family uses XContest livetracking to follow a long cross-country flight in real time, keeping track of position and altitude for both enjoyment and safety.
- An aspiring pilot tracks their personal progression over multiple seasons using XContest's archive, aiming to qualify for milestone clubs like the 100km Club.
- A flying school or instructor uses XContest data and daily hot-spot rankings to identify the best local flying conditions and showcase student achievements.
Pros
- Free to Use: The platform is free for pilots to register, log flights, and access global rankings with no paywalled core features.
- Global Community & Coverage: Tens of thousands of pilots from every continent participate, making XContest the definitive benchmark for XC performance worldwide.
- Reliable Live Tracking: The recently overhauled livetracking engine ensures stability and performance even during peak-traffic days, keeping fans and safety contacts informed.
- Motivating Progression System: Milestone clubs, ranked categories, and highlighted record flights provide ongoing motivation for pilots at every skill level.
Cons
- Niche Audience: The platform is exclusively for paragliding and hang-gliding pilots, limiting its usefulness to a very specific sporting community.
- Limited Mobile Web Experience: Full livetracking and flight management features work best via desktop; the mobile web experience can be less optimized compared to dedicated apps.
- Occasional Downtime During Peak Events: High-traffic flying days have historically exposed server limitations, though recent engine upgrades aim to address this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is XContest?
XContest is the world's largest online cross-country (XC) competition system for paragliding (PG) and hang-gliding (HG). Pilots upload GPS tracks, which are automatically scored and placed in global and national rankings.
How do I log a flight on XContest?
After registering a free account, you upload your GPS track file (IGC format) via the website. The system automatically calculates your score based on distance, flight type, and speed, and places you in the appropriate ranking categories.
What is the 100km Club and the Pure 100km Club?
The 100km Club recognizes pilots who have flown at least 100 km scored over three turnpoints. The Pure 100km Club is stricter — it requires a straight-line distance of 100 km within a single flight. Both milestones are celebrated with official merchandise.
How does XContest livetracking work?
Pilots use the XCTrack app or compatible GPS devices to broadcast their position in real time. Spectators can watch live on the XContest website; the upgraded livetracking engine ensures reliability even on record-traffic days.
Is XContest free to use?
Yes, XContest is free for pilots to register, upload flights, and access rankings. The platform is supported by main partners and sponsors rather than pilot subscription fees.
