Regretfully, we have to report that three teams have had to withdraw from this year’s competition.
Team Abruzzo/McClurg (USA) had to withdraw due to work reasons.
“Im sorry to say that I will not be at the starting line for the X Pyr this year due to a priority with my work that I did not forsee. It was an agonizing decision for me and the team. Getting selected was a high point for the year and bowing out before it starts is certainly a low point. I wish the best to all the athletes and the race organization.“
This is Ben’s second attempt at completing the X-Pyr. In 2018, in the final training time for the race Ben had an accident and broke his back. He made a great recovery to find himself selected again in this edition. We hope next time he will be at the starting line.
Team Viehböck/Brunner (AUT) have also had to withdraw. Andreas, who participated in the last edition, was training on his mountain bike and hit a barrier, breaking his collar bone. We hope it mends soon!
More tragically, team Iñiguez/Tudela (ESP) also won’t be able to join us. Mattin was a hot contender in this race. He is from the Basque Country and knows the Pyrenees extremely well. A few weeks ago on a training flight he flew from near his home to Organya in Catalunya, a distance of 300 km. The longest recorded flight in these mountains.
Recently he was flying and in his words “took a bad decision, but in paragliding these can have grave outcomes.” He has injured a vertebra and will not be able to participate. However, Mattin will recover, so we hope that happens quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Luis Felipe Tudela, Mattin’s assistant and another veteran of the race, having supported several Spanish X-Pyr athletes, has found himself with time on his hands. Incredibly generously he has volunteered that time to the race organisation and will join us in the staff t-shirt as a race official. Welcome to the team!
As it is now so close to the race start on the 23rd of June, we offered the available places to the pilots on the waiting list. Understandably, not many could organise themselves at such short notice, especially coming from overseas. One pilot who will be able to come is Rémi Bourdelle (FRA), last year a rookie, but now a seasoned X-Pyr competitor. He will be supported by Adrien Bourdelle. It’s great to see you back Rémi!
