Andreas Malecki of Germany takes lead in overall category

Shimla, Oct. 18 (UNI) Andreas Malecki of Germany took the lead with 916 points in overall category in the first day's task today in the fifth Himalayan paragliding Pre-World Cup 2008 being organised at Bir-Billing at Kangra district of Hinachal Pradesh.

Mr Torsten Siegel of Germany, the international observer for the event is one point behind in the overall category.

In the women category Svetlana Piskareva of Russia (734 points) and in Indian category Gurpreet Dhindsa with 870 points are ahead whereas Russian team with 2671 points takes the lead in team category.

In overall category Mr Dmitry Korolev of Russia with 912 points is on third position in the first day's task.

In the Indian category, Mr. Debu Choudhury (846 points) and Mr Ajay Sharma (793 points) are on second and third position respectively.

In the team category, TB&SD team (2566 points) comprising Germany&Indian paraglider pilots and 50-50 team (2452 points) comprising Indian,British&German pilots are on second&third position respectively in the first days task of 103 kms.

In Women category, paraglider pilot of Russia Ms Elena Dmitrievskaya (682 points) and Ms Aleksandra Cherepanova with 538 points are on second&third place in first day's task.

Today, all the 82 registered paragliding pilots took off from the take-off site at Billing, situated at the height of 2290 meters.

The technical committee has given the task number-2 to the pilots for covering the distance of 57.4 km.

The official spokesperson of the Tourism and Civil Aviation department, Himachal Pradesh said that today the window of 90 minutes was opened at 1245 hrs and 1800 hrs was the landing deadline.

The task route given was Billing -Utrala-Jogindernagar-Red temple-Bir.

All the paragliders landed safely, he added.

UNI XC JN MMS1854