Three months, 127 pilots, 233 attempts and more than 263 hours in the air. The first Ozone Big OZ Challenge with Gaggle proved to be an overwhelming success, encouraging pilots around the world.

The idea was simple: load the Gaggle app, take to the air and fly the Ozone logo in the sky as accurately as possible. It turned out to be the challenge everyone wanted.

Pilots from around the world took on the challenge, testing their precision, concentration and patience as they attempted to stay as close to the centre line as possible. With a live leaderboard to chase, it wasn't long before the competition was alive.

Chasing the perfect OZ Logo

Every flight counted, but for many pilots, finishing an attempt only made them want to head straight back up and try again.

Fourth-placed Mike Carlson from the USA made seven attempts on his Sirocco 3, while also having to work around some challenging Florida weather.

"What I liked most about the Big OZ was that every attempt made me want to back up and improve. I'd finish a flight already thinking about where I could tighten up my line and what I could do differently on the next run. I was chasing that perfect flight right up until I ran out of weather windows."

Mike's experience summed up much of what made the challenge so addictive. Small mistakes made a difference, staying on the line demanded constant concentration, and there was always the feeling that the next attempt could be the one.

For Benedikt Bös from Paramotor Germany, it took just two attempts to secure third place. After seeing two Australian pilots move ahead of him on the leaderboard, 'Bene' headed back into the air for another go.

That second attempt also happened to mark a pretty special first.

"My second, higher-scoring flight was actually my first flight on my brand-new Viper 6. I don't think there could have been a better way to celebrate the first flight with my new companion!"

And the winner is…

After three months of attempts, changing leaderboard positions and some seriously precise flying, just 52 points out of a possible 20,000 separated the top two pilots.

The UK's Daniel Jones secured second place after four attempts and an impressive 131-minute run, narrowly missing out on the top spot.

But the Big OZ challenge title went to Dave Wainwright from Australia, flying his Ozone Viper 6.

Dave admits his first attempt was something of a learning curve. Like many pilots, he quickly discovered just how much accuracy was needed to put a competitive score on the board.

"My first attempt was pretty underwhelming, as I didn't really understand the accuracy needed to score well. I made three attempts in one day and my arms were dead after that!"

A few days later, better conditions and a change of strategy paid off. Slowing things down helped Dave improve his accuracy and move into the top spot. But with plenty of time left in the challenge, he knew his score could still be beaten.

Before heading away for the whole of August, there was time for one final attempt.

"It was the coldest day so far and it took immense concentration to pull it off. I got to the last curve and hit some pretty wild turbulence, but managed to hold the line pretty well. I thought I was going to have to give it another go when that happened, but I was very happy with the score after landing."

That score held.

Dave took the Big OZ title and the grand prize, an Ozone Angel SQ reserve, with his Viper 6 carrying him to the top of a leaderboard featuring pilots from around the world.

"I look forward to the next challenge."

The final top five

1. Dave Wainwright, Australia | Ozone Viper 6
2. Daniel Jones, United Kingdom | Dudek Warp 3
3. Benedikt Bös, Germany | Ozone Viper 6
4. Mike Carlson, USA | Ozone Sirocco 3
5. Riley Freebody, Australia | Niviuk Qubik

Second through fifth place each take home an Ozone merchandise pack.

It was great to see Ozone wings well represented at the sharp end of the leaderboard, with three of the top five pilots flying Ozone. Dave and third-placed Bene both flew the Viper 6, while fourth-placed Mike Carlson took on the challenge with his Sirocco 3.

The highlight of the Ozone X Gaggle 'Big OZ' challenge was seeing pilots from across the wider paramotor community getting involved. Different wings, different countries and very different flying conditions, but everyone chasing the same thing: the cleanest possible OZ in the sky.