About
XContest XRace is a specialized paragliding competition management and tracking platform built on top of the established XContest.org ecosystem. It pioneers the use of Assigned Area Tasks (AAT) in paragliding competitions — a format long proven in gliding — replacing conventional fixed-course tasks to encourage individual flying strategy rather than group tactics. In addition to AAT, it supports classic Speed Run tasks. All competition flights are uploaded to XContest, where the platform handles task definition, GPS tracklog validation, and automated scoring. Provisional and final results go live immediately after tracklog upload, giving pilots, spectators, and organizers real-time standings. The platform supports standard consumer GPS devices without requiring specialized PDA hardware, lowering the barrier to entry for competitive pilots. XRace events are FAI class 2 certified and integrate with national XC leagues such as the Czech XC League. Organizers benefit from built-in registration management with participant caps, entry fee tracking, and categorized results (Open and Standard classes). The system is designed for competition directors who want a transparent, technology-driven scoring process with minimal manual intervention. It is best suited for paragliding competition organizers, FAI-licensed pilots, and XC flying communities looking to run or participate in structured, GPS-verified aerial competitions.
Key Features
- Assigned Area Task (AAT) Format: Introduces the AAT competition format from gliding into paragliding, using radius sectors to reward individual flying strategy over group tactics.
- GPS Tracklog Validation & Automated Scoring: Integrates with the XContest system to automatically validate GPS tracklogs and compute competition scores without manual intervention.
- Live Results Publishing: Provisional and final standings go live immediately after tracklog upload, providing real-time visibility for pilots, spectators, and organizers.
- Standard GPS Device Compatibility: Works with common consumer GPS units — no specialized PDA or proprietary hardware required, lowering the barrier to entry.
- Online Registration & Entry Management: Handles participant registration, entry fee tracking, license verification, and participant caps directly through the platform.
Use Cases
- Paragliding competition organizers running FAI-certified cross-country events with automated GPS scoring and live results.
- Competitive pilots seeking structured XC competitions that reward individual flying strategy through the AAT format.
- National paragliding leagues integrating XRace events as qualifying or final rounds in their seasonal calendars.
- Spectators and coaches monitoring live competition standings and flight data during multi-day paragliding events.
- Pilots new to competition flying who want a low-hardware-barrier entry point into GPS-validated cross-country racing.
Pros
- Encourages Individual Strategy: AAT format rewards pilots who make independent tactical decisions rather than following the pack, producing more dynamic and exciting competition flying.
- Real-Time, Transparent Scoring: Automated GPS-based scoring and instant results publishing eliminate scoring disputes and keep all stakeholders informed throughout the event.
- No Proprietary Hardware Required: Compatible with standard consumer GPS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of competitive pilots without additional equipment costs.
Cons
- Niche Sport Focus: Exclusively designed for paragliding competitions, with no applicability to other sports or general event management use cases.
- Legacy Platform: The XRace section dates to 2010, and the interface and feature set may not reflect modern UX or tooling standards.
- Dependency on XContest Ecosystem: All scoring and results are tied to the XContest platform; organizers cannot easily migrate data or use the tool independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Assigned Area Task (AAT) in paragliding?
An AAT is a competition format borrowed from gliding where pilots must fly through defined radius sectors around turnpoints in a set time window, choosing how deep into each sector to fly. This rewards individual decision-making over group flying tactics.
Do pilots need special GPS hardware to participate?
No. XRace is compatible with standard consumer GPS devices. The organizers also provide cables for Garmin GPS units and offer Wi-Fi in the competition office for tracklog uploads.
How are results calculated and published?
GPS tracklogs are uploaded to the XContest system, which automatically validates the flight path against the task and computes scores. Provisional and final results are published live on the XContest website immediately after upload.
Is XContest XRace an FAI-sanctioned competition?
Yes. XContest XRace events are certified as FAI class 2 competitions, meaning pilots with valid FAI sporting licenses can earn FAI ranking points.
What is included in the competition entry fee?
The entry fee covers results processing, take-off and landing zone fees, transportation to take-off, GPS coordinates and area maps, a t-shirt, lunch packets, access to parties, and a camping discount.
