At the 6th edition of Italy’s AcroMax competition, 24 acro paragliding pilots - including three ladies - from 12 countries and three continents performed spectacular stunts to try and gain one of the last seven places for the finals of the Acro World Tour 2018.

Wowing the judges and audience alike with their incredible skills in the skies above the Lago Dei Tre Communi in Italy, the results of the first two runs meant that by sheer coincidence the final battles were all held between a European and a South American pilot, adding an exciting twist to the contest.

The South Americans dazzled with stunning performances and highly technical landings on the floating platform, giving them the edge over their European rivals.

Defeating Théo de Blic (FRA), the winner of the AWT stage 2 at the King of Brenta, Brazilian pilot Rafael Goberna took the top step of the podium. Taking 3rd place against Thomas Schlögl (AUT) was Victor Carrera (CHI). Colombian Andres Villamizar triumphantly defeated Horacio Llorens (SPA), who won Vertigo Voss – stage 1 of the AWT. Also representing Colombia was Cesar Arevalo Urrego, who took 7th place over France’s Tim Alongi.

All three ladies, on the other hand, were European: France’s Claire Mercuriot took the top spot, followed by Anne Schmidinger (AUT) then Christina Metaxia Vrampe (GER).

• Pictures

Final results AcroMax 2018

1. Rafael Goberna (BRA)
2. Théo de Blic (FRA)
3. Victor Carrera (CHI)
4. Thomas Schlögl (AUT)
5. Andres Villamizar (COL)

The final of the Acro World Tour will be held at the famous Sonchaux Acroshow in Villeneuve, Switzerland during the 24-25-26 August.

QUALIFICATION EVENTS

FINALS

Caption: winner Rafael Goberna (BRA)
Photo credit: Marie Thiemann Cap