Author: X-Pyr

Day 6 started slowly. We decided to wake up later than usual as we slept just below a high take off – Peña Montañesa. We got up there still far too early to fly, but that way we could escape the sun a bit. Around 1pm the thermal activity finally showed signs and we took off direction France.

What a flight it was! No clouds, wind direction quite unexpected at times, thermals rather messy and spread out… At times we managed to get up to 3300m, but most of the time we stayed around 2500m. It definitely made it easier to fly it as a group, although clearly everyone had a different approach…

On the main ridge to France, we encountered valley winds of 40km/h or more, so we had to gain a lot of altitude before making the jump to the lee side. It was a bit scary at that point, but that was it, no way back. I crossed the ridge and floated above the clouds covering the sky in the north. We made it to France!

But there conditions were completely different. As the sky was covered in clouds, we had to descend below them to gain visibility. However, there we encountered strong valley wind from the north (before it was coming from the south!) and no thermals. While the transition was smooth, it was just really hard to keep going against the wind: in places we were not moving at all.

So after an afternoon of flying, during which we covered most of the distance to Arbas, the majority of our group landed, with no forward speed. An intense experience, that is for sure!

I lost some time chatting in the landing just to realize it was already pretty late. I had to rush to the closest take off if I was still to fly one last time before 9pm. So that is what I did. I ran up and managed to squeeze one final glide at 8:40pm, despite the back wind. Landed just short of 9pm, close to a fellow pilot, Keith, for another night of party in the mountains.

Overall a very good day. Less walking, more flying and I even managed to get up a few positions on the ranking.

Day 7: here we come!

Yesterday was a dream day for us. The Flyingconditions on the south side were really good.

After crossing the main north/south ridge Reto had to overcome a difficult passage near Bossòst. Right after that, he managed to land high towards col de menté. After a short ascent, he could launch again and tag TP4 from the air!

Finally, we could gain some airtime and move forward on the overall ranking. Today we look forward to a beautiful last day of X-Pyr 2022 on the French side of the Pyrenees in hopefully good flying conditions.

Day 4 Kinga’s patience paid off, she hiked 1200m that morning and waiting for and hour on launch for the day to turn on as two other competitors launched and glided out. Her patience was rewarded with a windy and difficult flight, but 35km on track to TP3. The air was rough, and it was an exhausting flight. She then took to the pavement and reached the Suerio expecting a good glide to the valley. The winds however kept us parked, with a 3:1 glide she landed, packed, and met for pizza and camp.

Day 5 began with a morning hike and a hope. The weather models couldn’t agree and we decided to take the risk of climbing Nabain. Chris assisted in her launch in an incredibly tight location, barely fitting her wing and having to lay some of it on a bush. She launched at 10am, just before the winds were supposed to press her down. She made it work, crossing all the way to Peña Monteñesa by air! After landing at only Noon, we set our destination as Campo for a good forecast the next day. Based on the winds, we wanted to surf the ridge to Campo, yet somehow the winds stayed East throughout the day. This resulted in 24km on foot to Campo where a hotel and steak awaited. Prepped for a morning flight off the local site to cross to France for TP4!

“Tomas Matera daily report Friday: 

Definetly better day than yesterday, some interesting take off and landings today and nice evening glide to the Spain. 

I wouldn’t say that we choose the best way today but I’m enjoying a lot still. In good mood, racing with myself and the route in general 🙋🙂”

What a crazy two days! So crazy that we couldn’t even write a blog post yesterday… Oupsie!

Yesterday was a neck and neck race, with which we found ourselves at the foot of Peña Montañesa for the night rest with a whole group of 4 or 5 teams.

This morning, for a change, it was “sleep in” and we started only at 8 am to take the turnpoint.

And then it was parawaiting – patience, patience and again patience! Finally, around 1 pm the whole group took off and could fly relatively close together to Castejon de Sos. Here the field split and Patrick showed some courage to tackle the main ridge as first in the group. One of the most epic flights he ever got to do. The Pyrenees are just so amazing!

Tomorrow we attack Turnpoint 4 as the race comes to an end, who would have thought that at day 3!

Today was the highlight of the race for Rich despite being unwell. Starting the day with a slow hike up Peña Montanesa for what appeared to be a international para waiting party. Team Poland, Team USA, Team UK and Team Germany. Initially It was a bit touch and go for Rich as he sunk out on glide over Castejon Des Sos. He quickly packed up and hiked up to relaunch, this time making it into France. Tonight we camp high with plans of a early morning glide to tag Arbas (Rich’s personal goal for the competition). Bring on day seven!!