Andy Tallia and Alexia Fischer win Algodonales World Cup
France’s Andy Tallia won the first competition of the 2025 Paragliding World Cup season in Algodonales, Spain, with the USA’s Alexia Fischer winning the women’s category. Their wins wrapped up a technical and at times inspired week of racing in Algodonales on Saturday.
The competition ran from 10-17 May against a backdrop of mountains, flatlands,…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/andy-tallia-and-alexia-fischer-win-algodonales-world-cup/
France’s Andy Tallia won the first competition of the 2025 Paragliding World Cup season in Algodonales, Spain, with the USA’s Alexia Fischer winning the women’s category. Their wins wrapped up a technical and at times inspired week of racing in Algodonales on Saturday.
The competition ran from 10-17 May against a backdrop of mountains, flatlands,…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/andy-tallia-and-alexia-fischer-win-algodonales-world-cup/
Top of the Stack
“It was my worst day in the air for sure,” recalls Maxime Pinot, looking back to the sixth day of the 2023 Red Bull X-Alps when a north föhn tore through the Dolomites. Outside competition, no pilot would dream of flying in such conditions. “Only in X-Alps,” Max reflects. It was manageable to begin with…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/pilots-and-profiles/top-of-the-stack/
“It was my worst day in the air for sure,” recalls Maxime Pinot, looking back to the sixth day of the 2023 Red Bull X-Alps when a north föhn tore through the Dolomites. Outside competition, no pilot would dream of flying in such conditions. “Only in X-Alps,” Max reflects. It was manageable to begin with…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/pilots-and-profiles/top-of-the-stack/
Gin Yeti Race harness now available
Gin’s lightweight cocoon harness, the Yeti Race, is now available to order in five sizes. Gin say it’s light and durable and has plenty of storage space, making it ideal for vol-bivouac as well as XC flying.
The harness is available in five sizes, XS to XL, and weighs 1.95kg in the middle size. It…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/gin-yeti-race-harness-now-available/
Gin’s lightweight cocoon harness, the Yeti Race, is now available to order in five sizes. Gin say it’s light and durable and has plenty of storage space, making it ideal for vol-bivouac as well as XC flying.
The harness is available in five sizes, XS to XL, and weighs 1.95kg in the middle size. It…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/gin-yeti-race-harness-now-available/
Caught in a Bubble
Locals yell greetings at one another across the plaza, a powerful cutting shrill that travels so far you could probably receive the message in Ronda, 40 kilometres away to the south. The Andalucians greet one another here as if they’ve been separated for years only to be finally reunited in Algodonales, a typical white Spanish…
https://xcmag.com/travel-guide/caught-in-a-bubble/
Locals yell greetings at one another across the plaza, a powerful cutting shrill that travels so far you could probably receive the message in Ronda, 40 kilometres away to the south. The Andalucians greet one another here as if they’ve been separated for years only to be finally reunited in Algodonales, a typical white Spanish…
https://xcmag.com/travel-guide/caught-in-a-bubble/
Joe Dart breaks UK triangle record
Joe Dart took advantage of exceptional flying condition in Scotland on 20 May to set a new UK triangle record. He flew a cracking 139km FAI triangle around the Scottish Highlands having launched from Mount Blair in the southern Cairngorms.
Joe was flying an Ozone Zeno 2 and was in the air for six and…
https://xcmag.com/news/joe-dart-breaks-uk-triangle-record/
Joe Dart took advantage of exceptional flying condition in Scotland on 20 May to set a new UK triangle record. He flew a cracking 139km FAI triangle around the Scottish Highlands having launched from Mount Blair in the southern Cairngorms.
Joe was flying an Ozone Zeno 2 and was in the air for six and…
https://xcmag.com/news/joe-dart-breaks-uk-triangle-record/
Mystic+: Flow’s EN-C racer
Flow Paragliders have released the Mystic+, a two-liner EN-C that is an evolution of the Mystic. It is for sport-class competitions and “true EN-C pilots”.
It has an additional 10 cells compared to the Mystic, a new aerofoil and “a design focused purely on performance”. Flow say the Mystic+’s compact aspect ratio (6.5) and lightweight…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/mystic-flows-en-c-racer/
Flow Paragliders have released the Mystic+, a two-liner EN-C that is an evolution of the Mystic. It is for sport-class competitions and “true EN-C pilots”.
It has an additional 10 cells compared to the Mystic, a new aerofoil and “a design focused purely on performance”. Flow say the Mystic+’s compact aspect ratio (6.5) and lightweight…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/mystic-flows-en-c-racer/
Watch: Colorado hike-and-fly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjGrw7eLKg
In the summer of 2019 US pilot Peter Thompson embarked on the “adventure of a lifetime” to become the first person to hike-and-fly the 300 mile length of Colorado, south to north. A few years have passed since the successful mission but it’s taken until now for the documentary to be released.
“It’s kinda…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/watch-colorado-hike-and-fly/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjGrw7eLKg
In the summer of 2019 US pilot Peter Thompson embarked on the “adventure of a lifetime” to become the first person to hike-and-fly the 300 mile length of Colorado, south to north. A few years have passed since the successful mission but it’s taken until now for the documentary to be released.
“It’s kinda…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/watch-colorado-hike-and-fly/
Chrigel Maurer: Artist of the Air
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcqWq2-ZSk
Chrigel Maurer goes full arthouse in this new short black-and-white film from Salewa.
Der Künstler des Himmels – The Artist of the Air – is a six-minute profile of one of paragliding’s greatest all time pilots and reveals his artistic side.
Described as an “aerial poem” by its creators, Matteo Pavana, Marco Zanone and…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/pilots-and-profiles/chrigel-maurer-artist-of-the-air/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcqWq2-ZSk
Chrigel Maurer goes full arthouse in this new short black-and-white film from Salewa.
Der Künstler des Himmels – The Artist of the Air – is a six-minute profile of one of paragliding’s greatest all time pilots and reveals his artistic side.
Described as an “aerial poem” by its creators, Matteo Pavana, Marco Zanone and…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/pilots-and-profiles/chrigel-maurer-artist-of-the-air/
Over the Top
Not so long ago, it was rare to find a garden with a trampoline where you could spend hours practising somersaults and other tricks. Somersaults were something special, and I was determined to be able to do at least one. I still remember the first time I managed a backflip into Lake Zug as a…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/over-the-top/
Not so long ago, it was rare to find a garden with a trampoline where you could spend hours practising somersaults and other tricks. Somersaults were something special, and I was determined to be able to do at least one. I still remember the first time I managed a backflip into Lake Zug as a…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/over-the-top/
Fly The Earth 3RS 2025 acro Base harness
Fly The Earth’s acro Base harness has been upgraded for 2025. Updates include the 3-ring cutaway Base system, which uses high-tech materials for strength and minimal cutaway force using custom-made handles with pulleys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KxR-E3Pxxw
The reserve deployment system has also been updated to ensure easy deployment from any angle. The reserve housings are larger and…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/fly-the-earth-3rs-2025-acro-base-harness/
Fly The Earth’s acro Base harness has been upgraded for 2025. Updates include the 3-ring cutaway Base system, which uses high-tech materials for strength and minimal cutaway force using custom-made handles with pulleys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KxR-E3Pxxw
The reserve deployment system has also been updated to ensure easy deployment from any angle. The reserve housings are larger and…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/fly-the-earth-3rs-2025-acro-base-harness/
Ozone Alpina 4 GT
Ozone have released the Alpina 4 GT, a semi-light three-liner EN-C which is an update to the 2020 Alpina 4, with new top-surface cloth to improve durability and a new colour scheme.
Ozone say a two-liner Alpina 5 will follow, expected in 2026. This means their EN-C solo range will be: Delta 5 (AR 6.07,…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/ozone-alpina-4-gt/
Ozone have released the Alpina 4 GT, a semi-light three-liner EN-C which is an update to the 2020 Alpina 4, with new top-surface cloth to improve durability and a new colour scheme.
Ozone say a two-liner Alpina 5 will follow, expected in 2026. This means their EN-C solo range will be: Delta 5 (AR 6.07,…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/ozone-alpina-4-gt/
What if…?
What would you do if you smashed yourself up in a crash? Would you start paragliding as quickly as you could? Would you give up? Or would you come back cautiously and hesitantly? Andrew Craig decided to face this question head on and went looking for an answer
I’ve been lucky; I’ve flown paragliders for…
https://xcmag.com/fly-better/safety/what-if/
What would you do if you smashed yourself up in a crash? Would you start paragliding as quickly as you could? Would you give up? Or would you come back cautiously and hesitantly? Andrew Craig decided to face this question head on and went looking for an answer
I’ve been lucky; I’ve flown paragliders for…
https://xcmag.com/fly-better/safety/what-if/
Simon Steiner and Riley Ferré win Gin Edition SRS
Switzerland’s Simon Steiner won the first of two Italian SRS legs held in Poggio Bustone in southern Italy. Top woman was the USA’s Riley Ferré, who is currently sixth in the series overall rankings. The week was marked by changeable weather but three tasks were flown.
The Gin edition of the SRS was held 17-24…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/simon-steiner-and-riley-ferrer-win-poggio-bustone-srs/
Switzerland’s Simon Steiner won the first of two Italian SRS legs held in Poggio Bustone in southern Italy. Top woman was the USA’s Riley Ferré, who is currently sixth in the series overall rankings. The week was marked by changeable weather but three tasks were flown.
The Gin edition of the SRS was held 17-24…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/simon-steiner-and-riley-ferrer-win-poggio-bustone-srs/
Throwdown in Peru
We used to joke about watching triple sunsets, like on the Star Wars red planet Tatooine, while packing up after a day’s flying in Paracas, Peru. It wasn’t until years later when I moved to Europe that rolling green hills, blue skies and predictable Alpine landscapes became the norm. Only then did I understand just…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/throwdown-in-peru/
We used to joke about watching triple sunsets, like on the Star Wars red planet Tatooine, while packing up after a day’s flying in Paracas, Peru. It wasn’t until years later when I moved to Europe that rolling green hills, blue skies and predictable Alpine landscapes became the norm. Only then did I understand just…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/throwdown-in-peru/
Pilot swept to 8,500m in China survives
A pilot has miraculously survived being swept to more than 8,500m (27,800ft) in a storm cloud in China. In surreal video footage that has since gone viral, Peng Yujiang can be seen encased in ice flying above cloud after a cross-country flight in the Qilian Mountains went disastrously wrong.
The initial response of many pilots…
https://xcmag.com/news/pilot-swept-to-8500m-in-china-survives/
A pilot has miraculously survived being swept to more than 8,500m (27,800ft) in a storm cloud in China. In surreal video footage that has since gone viral, Peng Yujiang can be seen encased in ice flying above cloud after a cross-country flight in the Qilian Mountains went disastrously wrong.
The initial response of many pilots…
https://xcmag.com/news/pilot-swept-to-8500m-in-china-survives/
Insight: Live Tracking
Naviter is a new race partner this year in the Red Bull X-Alps, which kicks off on 12 June. Being a race partner means Naviter will be supplying all X-Alps pilots with a flight instrument for tracking: the brand new Naviter Omni. But behind the scenes, live tracking is a lot more involved than just…
https://xcmag.com/gear-guide/design-insights/insight-live-tracking/
Naviter is a new race partner this year in the Red Bull X-Alps, which kicks off on 12 June. Being a race partner means Naviter will be supplying all X-Alps pilots with a flight instrument for tracking: the brand new Naviter Omni. But behind the scenes, live tracking is a lot more involved than just…
https://xcmag.com/gear-guide/design-insights/insight-live-tracking/
My flying life: Christian Behrenz
How and when did you get into flying?
Venezuela, August 2001. I was living in Germany but I had a full-time job and very little time. A pilot friend suggested I come to Venezuela and he would teach me. I asked my boss for holidays and a few weeks later I was in Venezuela.
What…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/my-flying-life-christian-behrenz/
How and when did you get into flying?
Venezuela, August 2001. I was living in Germany but I had a full-time job and very little time. A pilot friend suggested I come to Venezuela and he would teach me. I asked my boss for holidays and a few weeks later I was in Venezuela.
What…
https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/my-flying-life-christian-behrenz/
Skywalk announce Poison4 (EN D)
Skywalk have announced their new two-liner EN-D. They say the Poison 4 was designed with “maximum efficiency, maximum control, and maximum speed” as goals.
Made for “XC records and competition successes”, early results bode well: before its official release, Stephan Gruber won Serial Class at the Icarus Open with one, and Thomas Walder flew a…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/skywalk-announce-poison4-en-d/
Skywalk have announced their new two-liner EN-D. They say the Poison 4 was designed with “maximum efficiency, maximum control, and maximum speed” as goals.
Made for “XC records and competition successes”, early results bode well: before its official release, Stephan Gruber won Serial Class at the Icarus Open with one, and Thomas Walder flew a…
https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/skywalk-announce-poison4-en-d/
Paragliding World Cup Linzhou: 7-14 June
The Paragliding World Cup is returning to Linzhou in China for its second round of the 2025 season.
The Linzhou World Cup will run from 7-14 June and feature some of the world’s top pilots who will once again gather in one of Asia’s most celebrated flying arenas.
Linzhou is one of China’s best know…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/paragliding-world-cup-linzhou-7-14-june/
The Paragliding World Cup is returning to Linzhou in China for its second round of the 2025 season.
The Linzhou World Cup will run from 7-14 June and feature some of the world’s top pilots who will once again gather in one of Asia’s most celebrated flying arenas.
Linzhou is one of China’s best know…
https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/paragliding-world-cup-linzhou-7-14-june/
Flare launch Moustache2 and Proxy harness
https://youtu.be/PqqWHBQxQ0E?feature=shared
Flare have announced the release of the new Moustache2 alongside a new specialised parakite harness, the Proxy.
Flare were the first company to develop a parakite, the original Moustache, back in early 2022 and since then a whole new discipline has emerged, with numerous manufacturers developing parakites.
With the release of the updated Moustache,…
https://xcmag.com/news/flare-launch-moustache2-and-proxy-harness/
https://youtu.be/PqqWHBQxQ0E?feature=shared
Flare have announced the release of the new Moustache2 alongside a new specialised parakite harness, the Proxy.
Flare were the first company to develop a parakite, the original Moustache, back in early 2022 and since then a whole new discipline has emerged, with numerous manufacturers developing parakites.
With the release of the updated Moustache,…
https://xcmag.com/news/flare-launch-moustache2-and-proxy-harness/