SWING Pilots on STELLAR RS and LIBRA RS Shine at NRW Cup 2026
The NRW Cup 2026 in Sauerland once again showed how demanding XC paragliding can be in Germany’s low mountain ranges. From 6 to 10 May 2026, a strong field met changeable conditions, tactically tricky tasks, and the typical Sauerland mood swings. In the end, patience, sharp timing, and clean decisions made the difference.
For our pilots on the STELLAR RS, the competition turned into a strong statement. In a field full of performance-oriented Sport Class wings, they convincingly showed how much usable performance this high EN-B wing of the Standard Class delivers.
Task 1 — selective conditions in Sauerland
The very first task made it clear that this NRW Cup would be no easy ride. Light wind, tricky launches, and shading made the day selective. Many pilots barely got into the race, and the set task remained unreached by the whole field. What was required: clean launches, patience on the launch ridge, and good decisions in weak thermals.
Task 2 — finally a real race
On day two, Sauerland showed its other face. A higher cloudbase, solid distance potential, and significantly more active thermals made a real race possible. At the same time, the day stayed tactically demanding. Between strong climbs, shading, low saves, and tricky transitions, consistent flying was the key. This is exactly where our STELLAR RS pilots could play to their strengths. The wing showed once again that performance counts not only in perfect conditions, but above all when the day gets complex.
STELLAR RS strong in the Sport Class
The result becomes particularly interesting when you look at the ranking by EN-B wings. You then see very clearly how strongly our pilots performed on the STELLAR RS. In the Sport Class, they did not just hold their ground — they flew right at the front. For a high EN-B wing, that is a strong statement.
Sebastian Marquardt flew a very consistent competition on the STELLAR RS and finished the NRW Cup in a strong 12th place in the Sport Class. Markus Boehnisch also delivered a convincing result and landed in 19th place. Daniel Koellmann reached 22nd place on the STELLAR RS. Erik Römhild, Patrick Nanninga, and Florian Brening were also in the standings on the STELLAR RS, making it visible how broadly the wing can be used in demanding competition conditions.
What sets the STELLAR RS apart
The result shows what the STELLAR RS is all about: high usable performance, a very balanced flight character, and handling that stays precise even on long and difficult tasks. In Sauerland, where shading, shifting working altitudes, and tactical decisions are part of the race, the STELLAR RS once again played out its strengths.
The NRW Cup 2026 confirms once more that the STELLAR RS is much more than a safe and accessible high EN-B wing. It is a true XC wing for pilots who fly long distances, compete in tasks, and want a balanced combination of performance, control, and efficiency.
LIBRA RS — performance complement
The LIBRA RS rounded out the picture with a strong result from Mike Ravelli. His result underlines that our performance-oriented models also deliver in selective competition conditions.
Congratulations to all STELLAR RS and LIBRA RS pilots on this strong result.
Our pilots’ results
The complete result lists of the NRW Cup 2026 are available on Airtribune: