High as a kite: Mathieu Rouanet flies over Da Nang at the International Paramotor Race. — VNS Photos Cong Thanh

DA NANG — Mathieu Rouanet from France became champion at the Da Nang International Paramotor Race at Bien Dong Park yesterday.

Paramotor is the generic name for the two-stroke engine and propeller carried on the back of a paraglider.

Rouanet accumulated 2,000 points after two days of competition to beat off Emilia Plak from Poland, with 1,845 points.

Japanese Ryoya Igarashi came third with 1,817 points.

Rouanet had a perfect performance on the opening day on Saturday in the acrobatic, slalom and speed races. The French pilot walked away with a cash prize of US$10,000.

"It's a great pleasure for me today to compete in the first competition in Viet Nam. We are sure the event will be a great promotion for Viet Nam and the coastal city," Rouanet said at the awards ceremony yesterday.

"It was so amazing when I flew over the skies of Da Nang. I received crazy support from thousands of local people and tourists on My Khe beach."

Vice Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Anh said: "We enjoyed spectacular and impressive performances by the world's leading pilots at the Da Nang International Paramotor Race.

"The race successfully finished after five days of performance and training."

At the meeting, spectators were invited to fly with the pilots.

"It was a great moment in my life when I flew over and looked down the long and pristine beach," said spectator Vo Cong Tri.

"I've never had a such at great feeling, flying like a bird," he said.

The race drew 25 pilots from the US, France, Japan and Poland competing in four categories – slalom, speed, team and rescue. VNS