Paragliding World Cup, Korea

29th September to 5th October, 2002

Scotty Marion has once again stormed the international paragliding arena and flew off with another victory in a paragliding world cup event, this time in Mungyeon, Korea. While bad weather hampered much of the competition, Marion outflew his competitors for the PWCA cup at this event. Photo: Marion (center) accepting 1st in Korean PWC.

The end of the Korean competition also marks the end of the year long Paragliding World Cup Championship. Congratulations must go out to Scotty Marion for finishing in 2nd place in the PWCC. This is remarkable accomplishment since this is the first time that a paragliding pilot in the Western Hemisphere has ever medaled in this year long competition. Before this year, no USA pilot had ever won a Paragliding World Cup Event. This year, Scotty managed to win two events.

When asked what he enjoyed most about competing, Scotty said "It's extremely mentally challenging. You're right in the middle of a giant three dimensional chess game with limitless variables. It's awesome! You just have to remember to keep things in perspective. Safety First, Fun Second, and Winning lastly." Photo: Marion (left) accepting 2nd in overall PWC.

The PWCC is an event that consists of five paragliding competition around the world that test pilots ability to take it up anywhere in the world in varying conditions. The competition is scored by adding together the task score at each event. Not all tasks are included in the overall championship. At the end of the year, the scores of all countable tasks are totaled and a champion is crowned. Scotty's amazing finish in 2nd this year shows what kind of a World Class Talent he is.

Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Scotty went to school in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Belhaven College with a B.A. in Humanities and a minor in Business. Scotty has been a professional teacher his whole life. He has been a substitute school teacher, ski, telemark, and snowboard instructor full-time since 1986, and is also a tennis and soccer coach. Scotty has also been selected as one of the top snowboard and ski instructors of the year in the U.S.

Scotty is a full-time USHGA Certified Instructor and is the Safety Director of the Utah Hang Gliding Association, which regulates the Point of the Mountain. http://www.pointofthemountain.com/POMPweb.htm

Way to go Scotty and congrats from Airsports Net!

Related Articles:
Paragliding World Cup Turkey
Gaming for the World Cup
PWC Mexico
Pilot Profile: Scotty Marion