Might be worth pointing out that X-ALPS typically draft at most 4(?) athletes from each country. Sooo if you're asking this question and you're French, Swiss, Austrian or Italian, don't even bother. The level is just insanely high. Those people are birdlike and made of steel.
You are absolutely right! By now I am a decent pilot. As a alpinist I bring the skills to climb pretty much every summit in the alps, I am pretty fast as well. When I do a lot of meters its 5000 per week, Chrigel does 10000 for training. So the skills and fitness of the elite x alps pilot is insane! I did fly with Von Känel once, I have flown with many good pilots before, but this is a very different level. So I do like to dream big, I'd like to join the xalps as well, but with 70 h experience? It's almost disrespectful to all these elite level athletes. If you think you're wasting time in the learning process, that's what greg basically described here, you might be in the wrong sport? Enjoy every flight - fly for joy and not for fame.
70 hours is obviously waaay too low - but flying in the X-Alps can be a big future goal for a young pilot. Amazing what 5 years of dedication (and more than a pinch of talent) can bring. 👍
Very good video. Not only for X-alps prospects, but for anyone who want to improve thier XC flying. The concept of having goals, a plan and structure. Important and fun at the same time!
I think we all aspire to be an X-Alps athlete to varying degrees! I hike 6km every day up and down a mountain with my harness and wing even though I never fly from here, just because I am inspired by the X-Alps training videos. If you are lucky enough to achieve X-Alps status, we're all cheering for yaz!
Very thoughtful (and sobering) comments on what it will take to do the X-Alps. But still with a good dose of encouraging optimism. Well done! Luckily I have no ambitions to do the X-alps. Flying XC, yes. Doing some Hike&Fly, I'm with you, especially in the autumn. Maybe even enter a small friendly Hike&Fly competition, just to enjoy the atmosphere and learn a bit. Might do that. But the X-Alps is in a league of its own and to be frank, way out of my comfort zone. I'll watch Chrigel in front of the computer.
Since I started paragliding two years ago I've admired and had a bit of envy of joining the X-Alps pilot. But following closely the race this year and seeing so many accidents, close call, and the constant risk taking really stopped that. It's disheartening to see how much redbull avoids talking about it to keep the cool factor of the race
it's been present in every race. Every day invites you to take more risk, to avoid the pain or to not lose the ground you've gained over competitors. It's a potentially dangerous mix, but also the real challenge of the race: you'll only survive it if you make smart decisions.
This is not Disneyland where it is all idiot-proofed. Ile of man TT race is also voluntary, and also as spectator, you take your own risk. No one else is responsible but you. This is what it takes to safeguard your own liberties.
Freedom is not going into debt. So many foreign pilots especially from flatlands end up with a 15,000chf bill for Swiss helicopter rescue alone, plus hospital, even more.. Good insurance and acro skills will be needed in the Lee, which is everywhere. Stay free!
Greg, you are very kind and gave him excellent advice in a positive manner. My immediate thought was, 70 hours 😂. Why is a minimal hours pilot even thinking about competing in the X-Alps? But if he’s 20 years old and trains at a world class elite level for the next 10 years, and doesn’t live in any of the major paragliding countries, he might have a shot.
Hmm, this sounds a bit like "I did my drivers license last summer, and I even did a security course at the local motorists club. However, just driving to work is getting boring, so I'd rather start driving formula one cars instead. How do I do that?"
It's a fun thought... I suspect that if you're anything like ready to start preparing for the X-Alps, you already know how to prepare for it. The risk, the level of physical fitness, the flying skills, the ability to fly well and make good decisions when you're an organic manifestation of a train wreck - it's all awesome stuff to watch, but I'm far removed from the few pilots in the world who are qualified to give it a go. I'd love to be that good, but it'll never be... It seems that it's only by the narrowest of margins that there hasn't been a fatality so far. When someone with the background of Gavin McClurg gets schooled in both flying the Alps and the degree of risk that all contestants take, it makes it seem closer to a gladiatorial combat than the Corinthian challenge. A shame that the stuff that goes wrong doesn't get more coverage from Red Bull. The sanitised version we see must be a far cry from the horrors experienced by many of the atheletes.
I'm humble enough that I know .... The only way I'll experience the xalps will be as a spectator. I'm to lazy to walk that much up the hill and my risk tolerance is also low. When most people are doing full turns, I'm still doing figure 8s xD
You're right, there a lot of hill climbing that isn't shown or shared because it is frankly boring TV. but it's a long physical grind. The Xalps athletes take endurance to another level.
Hey Greg! I’ve got a question for you I love your videos, thanks so much for making them!! I did my paragliding course and got 2 days into it and then had to pull out. Two reasons… the Teacher had a strong accent and I miss understood some of his instructions which I didn’t feel comfortable or safe to continue, and the other reasons was I didn’t like the feeling of suddenly dropping acouple of meters when flying tandem. I was wondering if that feeling goes away over time or if that discomfort will always be there. If I knew that uncomfortable feeling of falling dissipates over time then I’d love to find another trainer and try it again!
I know this is a bit late but I had that feeling doing tandem as well. Felt a lot of discomfort with the floating feeling, not feeling secure in the air. However, now I'm currently working on p2 and have not had that issue at all flying on my own. The main thing that keeps increasing my comfort level is learning more. Before I started a lot of aspects seemed unnerving, my recommendation is read through enough material where you have a firm understand of glider control, flight principles and weather. I would recommend Paragliding a beginners guide, find an experienced instructor you can understand and give it another go!
Hello I am ( farzad chaman ara ) from Iran and one of your fans I have always followed you for years And I love you so much... I have a question now. I'm a pilot who has flown for over five years. More than 150 hours of thermal flight So far I have flown with the B class. NIVIUK IKUMA I went to SEV but I was not very satisfied with my performance...( about spin for ex..) I have had several flights over a hundred kilometers. Do you think I can fly with advance sigma 10? How do you evaluate ( analyze ) that wing? In terms of glide, speed, performance،xc... What specific point or concern should I follow? Thank you very much
@@parapentefun Yes that is probably the tactic of most of the pilots here. Burn a lot of fuel and go to your european neighbors. Fortunately, they're not as special as we are. 🤷♂️
Might be worth pointing out that X-ALPS typically draft at most 4(?) athletes from each country. Sooo if you're asking this question and you're French, Swiss, Austrian or Italian, don't even bother. The level is just insanely high. Those people are birdlike and made of steel.
Very true
You are absolutely right!
By now I am a decent pilot. As a alpinist I bring the skills to climb pretty much every summit in the alps, I am pretty fast as well.
When I do a lot of meters its 5000 per week, Chrigel does 10000 for training.
So the skills and fitness of the elite x alps pilot is insane!
I did fly with Von Känel once, I have flown with many good pilots before, but this is a very different level.
So I do like to dream big, I'd like to join the xalps as well, but with 70 h experience?
It's almost disrespectful to all these elite level athletes.
If you think you're wasting time in the learning process, that's what greg basically described here, you might be in the wrong sport?
Enjoy every flight - fly for joy and not for fame.
70 hours is obviously waaay too low - but flying in the X-Alps can be a big future goal for a young pilot. Amazing what 5 years of dedication (and more than a pinch of talent) can bring. 👍
I want to watch every minute of you flying in the red bull xalps! 🤞
Very good video. Not only for X-alps prospects, but for anyone who want to improve thier XC flying. The concept of having goals, a plan and structure. Important and fun at the same time!
I think we all aspire to be an X-Alps athlete to varying degrees! I hike 6km every day up and down a mountain with my harness and wing even though I never fly from here, just because I am inspired by the X-Alps training videos. If you are lucky enough to achieve X-Alps status, we're all cheering for yaz!
Very thoughtful (and sobering) comments on what it will take to do the X-Alps. But still with a good dose of encouraging optimism. Well done!
Luckily I have no ambitions to do the X-alps. Flying XC, yes. Doing some Hike&Fly, I'm with you, especially in the autumn. Maybe even enter a small friendly Hike&Fly competition, just to enjoy the atmosphere and learn a bit. Might do that. But the X-Alps is in a league of its own and to be frank, way out of my comfort zone. I'll watch Chrigel in front of the computer.
Thanks Greg, great attitude!
Since I started paragliding two years ago I've admired and had a bit of envy of joining the X-Alps pilot. But following closely the race this year and seeing so many accidents, close call, and the constant risk taking really stopped that. It's disheartening to see how much redbull avoids talking about it to keep the cool factor of the race
it's been present in every race. Every day invites you to take more risk, to avoid the pain or to not lose the ground you've gained over competitors. It's a potentially dangerous mix, but also the real challenge of the race: you'll only survive it if you make smart decisions.
This is not Disneyland where it is all idiot-proofed. Ile of man TT race is also voluntary, and also as spectator, you take your own risk. No one else is responsible but you. This is what it takes to safeguard your own liberties.
I love @ 1:05 he was dying, their cure, a beer, lmao
"What is Freedom? No fear!" go for it!
Freedom is not going into debt. So many foreign pilots especially from flatlands end up with a 15,000chf bill for Swiss helicopter rescue alone, plus hospital, even more.. Good insurance and acro skills will be needed in the Lee, which is everywhere. Stay free!
Thanks for the video, Greg! :D
Thank you.
Very helpful for me ( 3 years only flying experience) especially that I want to increase my skills.
the 10 items helps
Nice one Greg
Ok then, i'll start with the physical training 🍺🍻
Greg, you are very kind and gave him excellent advice in a positive manner. My immediate thought was, 70 hours 😂. Why is a minimal hours pilot even thinking about competing in the X-Alps? But if he’s 20 years old and trains at a world class elite level for the next 10 years, and doesn’t live in any of the major paragliding countries, he might have a shot.
Hmm, this sounds a bit like "I did my drivers license last summer, and I even did a security course at the local motorists club. However, just driving to work is getting boring, so I'd rather start driving formula one cars instead. How do I do that?"
Learn to fly Acro. Become super confident racing and XCing on a CCC wing. Fly-on-the-wall landings á la Chrigl.
It's a fun thought... I suspect that if you're anything like ready to start preparing for the X-Alps, you already know how to prepare for it. The risk, the level of physical fitness, the flying skills, the ability to fly well and make good decisions when you're an organic manifestation of a train wreck - it's all awesome stuff to watch, but I'm far removed from the few pilots in the world who are qualified to give it a go. I'd love to be that good, but it'll never be...
It seems that it's only by the narrowest of margins that there hasn't been a fatality so far. When someone with the background of Gavin McClurg gets schooled in both flying the Alps and the degree of risk that all contestants take, it makes it seem closer to a gladiatorial combat than the Corinthian challenge. A shame that the stuff that goes wrong doesn't get more coverage from Red Bull. The sanitised version we see must be a far cry from the horrors experienced by many of the atheletes.
I'm humble enough that I know .... The only way I'll experience the xalps will be as a spectator. I'm to lazy to walk that much up the hill and my risk tolerance is also low.
When most people are doing full turns, I'm still doing figure 8s xD
You're right, there a lot of hill climbing that isn't shown or shared because it is frankly boring TV. but it's a long physical grind. The Xalps athletes take endurance to another level.
"Move to the Alps..", I would say find a flat next to chrigel maurer ;)
Hey Greg!
I’ve got a question for you
I love your videos, thanks so much for making them!!
I did my paragliding course and got 2 days into it and then had to pull out. Two reasons… the Teacher had a strong accent and I miss understood some of his instructions which I didn’t feel comfortable or safe to continue, and the other reasons was I didn’t like the feeling of suddenly dropping acouple of meters when flying tandem.
I was wondering if that feeling goes away over time or if that discomfort will always be there. If I knew that uncomfortable feeling of falling dissipates over time then I’d love to find another trainer and try it again!
I know this is a bit late but I had that feeling doing tandem as well. Felt a lot of discomfort with the floating feeling, not feeling secure in the air. However, now I'm currently working on p2 and have not had that issue at all flying on my own. The main thing that keeps increasing my comfort level is learning more. Before I started a lot of aspects seemed unnerving, my recommendation is read through enough material where you have a firm understand of glider control, flight principles and weather. I would recommend Paragliding a beginners guide, find an experienced instructor you can understand and give it another go!
And here i am trying to scratch for lift
Hey Craig what is the safest wing to buy right now for beginner?
Go, go, go....
Hello
I am ( farzad chaman ara ) from Iran and one of your fans
I have always followed you for years
And I love you so much...
I have a question now. I'm a pilot who has flown for over five years.
More than 150 hours of thermal flight
So far I have flown with the B class. NIVIUK IKUMA
I went to SEV but I was not very satisfied with my performance...( about spin for ex..)
I have had several flights over a hundred kilometers.
Do you think I can fly with advance sigma 10?
How do you evaluate ( analyze ) that wing? In terms of glide, speed, performance،xc...
What specific point or concern should I follow?
Thank you very much
So nice to hear from you.. I was headed to Iran last night as pwc observer, and unfortunately.. Lets just say... It didn't happen.
Good top lindng 👍👍🙏🤗
Click bait title but still an awesome video... Cheers!
What can I do if I live in the only country (Germany) where hike & fly is practically illegal? 🙈
Train in Austria.
@@parapentefun Yes that is probably the tactic of most of the pilots here. Burn a lot of fuel and go to your european neighbors. Fortunately, they're not as special as we are. 🤷♂️
it isn't illegal, you can also do hike and flys on legal launch sites. There are Germans in the X-Alps...
@@nico_albrecht don't let a fictitious line on the map hold you back...
I was embedded with Team Mexico… it is insane…
Hey Peter, how is life? I stumbled over your comment by accident. How did you get involved with Team Mexico?
V gud share ✌️
why not scotland? the weather? hehe
clearly weather related
sad so beautiful too
Preparing for X-Alps? … hold my lamb and mint pie. - Greg
Don’t we all? But it will never happen for this old dog unfortunately
In reality the X-Alps is the worst example of paragliding when you think about it...
A joke, right?