The 2025 Paragliding World Cup kicked off in Linzhou City, central China's Henan Province on Saturday, drawing 130 elite athletes from 24 countries and regions for a week of high-altitude competition. Pilots launched from mountain slopes in the opening round of the global tournament, executing precision maneuvers in the "race-to-goal" discipline. Dubbed "Formula 1 of the sky", the event combines navigational skills, meteorological analysis and strategic flight planning as competitors navigate electronic waypoints. The competition runs through June 14, with pilots accumulating points toward the World Cup championship. Linzhou's unique topography creates consistent thermal updrafts ideal for paragliding. The city has hosted over 40 high-level international paragliding events since 1992, including four World Cup competitions. Shotlist: Linzhou City, Henan Province, central China - June 7, 2025: 1. Backdrop of Paragliding World Cup (China), guests, participants on site; 2. Various of participating teams lining up; 3. Various of paragliders preparing for contest; 4. Various of paragliders taking off; 5. Various of paragliders in air, contest in progress. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]