From the moment the first canopy touched water, you knew you were in the right place.
This September, we hosted two of the most prestigious swooping events in the world right here in Eloy: the 12th FAI World Cup of Canopy Piloting and the 3rd FAI World Cup of Canopy Piloting Freestyle. Alongside them, we also welcomed the 6th FAI European Canopy Piloting Championships and the 2nd FAI European Canopy Piloting Freestyle Championships, all under one Arizona sky.
We built our legacy on speed, precision, and world-class execution. It all came together as the world’s best canopy pilots reached freefall speeds while driving straight toward the ground!
Event Details
- Location: Skydive Arizona, Eloy, AZ
- Dates: September 7–14, 2025
- Disciplines: Speed, Distance, Accuracy, Freestyle
- Scoring: Omniskore! and FAI/ISC standards
Why Skydive Arizona
There’s a reason world-class events keep landing here. Skydive Arizona has earned its place on the global stage, not just for its year-round weather and purpose-built facilities, but for the way this dropzone shows up when it matters most. With decades of experience hosting international competitions, including past World Cups and USPA Nationals, Eloy has become a proving ground where talent, precision, and skydiving culture converge. This isn’t just another venue. This is where canopy legends are made.
World Cup Events – Speed, Distance, Accuracy & Freestyle
Sanctioned by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and governed by the International Skydiving Commission (ISC), these World Cups are the ultimate test of skill, control, and precision under canopy.
The competition covers:
- Speed – smooth carving, tight lines, and full-throttle exits
- Distance – maximizing glide and energy efficiency
- Accuracy – hitting tight targets under full flight control
- Freestyle – dynamic landings, technical water work, and creative expression
All events are judged under ISC regulations using cutting-edge measurement systems, Omniskore! scoring, and the technical standards outlined in Section 5 of the Skydiver’s Information Manual, and the FAI Sporting Code.
What It Takes to Compete
Every discipline in canopy piloting brings its own challenges. From the brute force of speed to the delicate balance of freestyle, the World Cup demands more than just experience; it requires control, composure, and a mindset tuned to milliseconds. Here’s what each event looks like when flown at the highest level.
Event Breakdown
Speed
This is a race against time and physics. Competitors navigate through laser-gated entry points at high speed, carving ultra-precise turns to reach the finish in as little time as possible. At this level, even a tenth of a second can separate a podium finish from the middle of the pack. Every movement matters. Reaction time is everything.
Distance
Here, canopy pilots use every ounce of glide and harnessed energy to push their flight downrange after dragging water at entry. The swoop becomes an artful balance of lift, line, and body position. The best of the best can ride that fine edge for over 200 meters. In this event, efficiency is king, and the pond becomes a runway to greatness.
Accuracy
This is where control gets tested at the wire. After crossing G1, pilots drag a foot through up to four water gates, each one adding points to the run. From there, they must touch down inside a landing zone; if more than one is touched, the lowest-value zone counts. The total score is the sum of water gates and zone points, with a 10-point deduction for anything less than a clean stand-up landing. It’s a simple equation on paper, but under speed and pressure, perfection is anything but easy.
Freestyle
The most expressive of all disciplines, freestyle is part technique, part creativity. Competitors perform complex maneuvers just inches above water, hook turns, switchbacks, foot drags, and controlled body inputs that transform swooping into visual poetry. It’s judged on difficulty, execution, and overall style. No two runs ever look the same.
How It’s Judged
All disciplines are judged under FAI and ISC guidelines, using the InTime Digital Scoring System, and the precise technical criteria outlined in Section 5 of the Skydiver’s Information Manual. Every round is an opportunity to show mastery, but make no mistake, at this level, the biggest challenge wasn’t the conditions. It was yourself.
All official info and updates are available at:
skydiveaz.com/canopy-piloting-world-cup
fai.org/isc-eloy2025
So You Wanna Compete?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “This is my year”, here’s what you need to know.
This isn’t a click-and-register situation. Athletes must be nominated by their country’s National Airsport Control (NAC) and registered through SKYCRU, the official FAI registration platform.
Eligibility:
- FAI Sporting License required
- Minimum license level: C License (or FAI equivalent)
- Intermediate/Advanced Class: 500 high-performance landings (100 in the last 12 months)
- Open Class: 1,000 high-performance landings (150 in the last 12 months)
If you’re not already on the radar of your NAC, your shot at Eloy might be the next one. But if you are, you’ll get the backend access, confirmations, and comp logistics straight from the source.
If this sounds like you, then we can’t wait to see you hit the pond.
Countdown to the Pond
As September draws closer, the pond is quiet, but that won’t last long. Pilots from across the globe will soon descend on Eloy, bringing with them thousands of jumps, years of discipline, and the kind of competitive focus that only canopy flight demands.
This is more than a competition. It’s a showcase of what’s possible when skill meets purpose, and a celebration of a discipline that transforms precision into performance. We’re honored to host it. We’re ready for the gates to light up. And we can’t wait to welcome the world, one high-speed swoop at a time.
Follow the Journey
We’ll be sharing stories, footage, course builds, athlete features, and behind-the-scenes highlights as the World Cup of Canopy Piloting gets closer.
The gates are about to light up. The world’s watching. Will you be on course, or on the sidelines?
Instagram – Skydive Arizona
Facebook Event Page
Blue Skies
Skydive Arizona Team