First- every edition is a win on experience and exploring new areas, also this one brings us deep into the Pyrenees!
Second- also when it looks hard (this time the route was more than 600km and crossed the main ridge twice, and the weather forecast was bad) somehow it will work, and often it comes better than expected!
And third- a race is not finished before the finishline. This time we started off on different routes, but came together again in the lead for a first long flight on day 3. After that it was windy and for the first time in 12 years of Hike&Fly adventure races i spent a full day hiking, that was hard… On the final day, with Maxime and Pierre on the same mountain and 150km to go. We had good teamwork before a difficult area spread us away. We came together once more at the last big mountain Canigou where Maxime arrived higher and flew away. I decided to hike up a bit to be back in thermal – and it worked! I stayed focused on myself and tried to stay high to fly as long and far as possible. This edition we had permission to underfly the airspace, what allowed me to fly until 3km before the finishline – unbelievable!
After 46h of hiking, covering a distance of 262km and 18’800m ascent, I arrived healthy and very happy (ok, i feel like i’m 10 years older now…)
In general the race here with a familiary organisation committee was a pleasure and for sure the rest period during the night from 9pm to 7am was for all athletes and staff more relaxed (hope to have this also at @redbullxalps 2023)
Thanks for all the fan support and motivation during these days- you are the best followers!
