• 1.1

  The X-Pyr is a paragliding and hiking competition, inspired by the Red Bull X-Alps, in which a selected number of teams, comprised of one pilot and (minimum) one assistant, will take part. Only one assistant will be the official one for the race.

• 1.2

  The objective is to traverse the Pyrenees, from west to east, starting at the Bay of Biscay and finishing by the Mediterranean. The first one to achieve this objective, only by flying a paraglider and on foot, will be the winner.

  The organisation will establish a number of compulsory turnpoints of different radius, that the pilots will have to reach. (see section 9.2.)

• 1.3

  Every decision about the race will be made by the race committee.

• 1.4

  In case of doubt between both language versions of the rules, the English rules are prevalent.

  Any questions about the race should be directed to the technical director, Íñigo Redín.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• 2.1

  Of all pre-registered teams, only the ones selected by the organisation will be able to take part. Additionally, the organisation may issue up to five wild cards.

• 2.2

  The participants will register as a team. The teams must be comprised of one pilot and (minimum) one assistant. The organisation shall only recognise the official assistant. Teams made up of only one member will not be accepted.

• 2.3

  All team members have to be highly skilled to take part in the competition.
  For the pilot, it is compulsory to have a specific medical certificate for trail running/trekking and paragliding not older than 12 months.

• 2.4

  It is compulsory to have a paragliding pilots licence to be able to take part.

• 2.5

  Assistants are allowed to fly if they wish, but to do so they must have a paragliding pilots license, as well as suitable experience and equipment. Compliance with these requirements will be assessed by the organisation before the race starts.

  It is also mandatory to follow the same flight rules as the team pilot.

• 2.6

  Every pilot (and any assistant that wishes to fly during the race) must have third party liability insurance (public liability), as well as accident, search and rescue insurance, which will have to cover costs such as medical treatment, hospital use and emergency rescue, including helicopter rescue anywhere along the course. It is the responsibility of the team to ensure that any contingencies are covered by their own insurance policies.

  Proof of insurance policies will be verified before the start of the race. They will have to be written either in English or Spanish, or a certified translation must be provided into either of those languages.

  NO TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE COMPETITION WITHOUT THE REQUIRED INSURANCE

• 2.7

  All teams (both pilot and assistant) must sign a disclaimer provided by the organisation as well as an agreement to the use, publishing or reproduction of their names and image.

• 2.8

  Teams must be self-sufficient during the competition. This includes food provisioning and every other need they have except for the materials and support provided by the organisation for the race.

• 2.9

  It is compulsory to have paid the registration fee before the deadline indicated by the organisation.
  In case of withdrawal from the race after the 01/04/2024, the organisation will not refund the amount of the registration fee except if the team provides sufficient evidence for the reasons for the withdrawal. 
  No refund will be provided in any circumstances, if the withdrawal takes place during the 2 weeks before the race.

3. SELECTION

• 3.1

  The number of teams is limited to a maximum of 45, however, that number could be modified if the organisation deems it appropriate.

• 3.2

  The organisation will decide which teams are selected.

4. RACE SCHEDULE

• 4.1

  21-22nd June 2024: Registration of the teams. Equipment tests and verifications. Photos, videos and interviews with the teams. Briefing.

• 4.2

  23rd June 2024: Official start of the race: 10am

• 4.3

  End of the race. A team will finish the race when it reaches the goal located at El Port de la Selva. The rest of the teams will have up until 29th June at 21:00 to reach the goal.
  Individual timing will be stopped when reaching the Santa Helena de Rodes turnpoint (B7).

  There will be a deadline to finish the race (June, 29th, 21:00h). This deadline will not be extended under any circumstances.
  If no teams have finished the race by then, they will score according to their positions at that date and time.

• 4.4

  All participants are kindly requested to attend the final prize giving ceremony. It will be held on June 30th at noon.

5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• 5.1

  A team is made up by 2 participants: one pilot and one offical assistant. Each pilot can choose his/her own assistant during registration. The assistant can’t be replaced while the race is still on, unless the organisation authorises it, or due to unforeseen circumstances.

• 5.2

  During the race the pilot must fly or walk carrying a minimum amount of equipment (see section 7). Any other means of transport is strictly forbidden. Non-compliance with this rule will mean immediate disqualification.

• 5.3

  The pilot must fly in aerological conditions suitable to their level of skill and experience as well as their level of fatigue. They are responsible for their decisions, and undertake not to expose themselves to any physical danger.

• 5.4

  During the obligatory rest break between 21:00h and 7:00h each night, the pilot will not be able to move any further than a 150m radius, with center of which is the last position registered when the rest break began. Failing to comply with this rule could mean a minimum penalty of 14 hours.
  An exception to this rule is when the pilot has reached the final turnpoint at Santa Helena de Rodes.

• 5.5

  The assistant will be able to use any means of transport, but will not be able to fly anywhere near his/her team mate.
  Team flying is absolutely forbidden. This is defined as receiving any help from other pilots (from outside the competition or from the assistant) in the air or flying together with the official team pilot during long periods of time and beyond the take off area. If there is sufficient proof regarding this issue, the team will be expelled from the race.

• 5.6

  The team is responsible for the battery recharge of their live-tracking devices. The loss of tracking signal due to empty batteries will mean a time penalty.

• 5.7

  The assistant must be contactable by phone or other means 24 hours a day.

• 5.8

  All teams must show willingness and respect towards the media (the competition’s own or external), trying to facilitate their work as much as possible, for the sake of the race’s promotion.

• 5.9

  Each team must post daily updates on (at least one of) their social media channel(s). The permitted channels are Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. The channel must be public and it is recommended to add the text “X-Pyr Athlete” in the profile description.
  It is obligatory to tag the X-Pyr social media in the post. This aspect will be explained to the teams before the race.
  The organisation will agree with the teams on a meeting point during the race to collect the visual material they have generated.

  Failure to comply with this rule may result in a penalty of at least 3 hours. This will be increased if repeated.

• 5.10

  In addition, teams must to a weekly update about their activities from, at least, one month before the start of the race (i.e. from the 23rd of May). These updates will be made by a channel specified by the organisation.

• 5.11

  Every team must be prepared to have regular checks along the race. During these compulsory and random checks, all the team’s equipment and transportation can be verified.

• 5.12

  Team members can be asked to undergo a drug test. If they refuse, or the test is positive, they will be instantly disqualified from the race, and the person who has broken this rule will be banned from participating in the next editions of the X-Pyr.

  The organisation will be able to check for prohibited substances included in the list by the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), available for reference at: www.wada-ama.org

• 5.13

  The minimum penalty for breaking any of the competition’s rules will be 3 hours.

• 5.14

  Any pilot or team will be able to quit the race any time, by informing the organisation.

• 5.15

  The organisation can change any rule before the race starts, in which case the competitors will be notified, prior to the implementation of the new rule.

• 5.16

  Pilots with a penalty will have to add that to the obligatory resting time. Non-compliance with this rule will mean immediate disqualification. If a team reaches goal before the next rest break, the penalty time will be added to the goal time.

• 5.17

  The organisers may call for withdrawal or, as a last resort, disqualify a team at any time if the organisers consider that the safety of the team is at risk.

• 5.18

  If the equipment provided by the organisation is lost or stolen, the team shall pay for its replacement.

• 5.19

  The race can only be cancelled by the organisation.

6. FLYING RULES

• 6.1

  No flying is permitted during the hours of 21:00 and 07:00.
• 6.2

  All pilots must respect the Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Any pilot who doesn’t comply with these rules will be legally liable for the consequences of those actions.

  If there is enough evidence of a pilot flying into cloud, he/she will be penalised. The type of penalty applied will be decided by the organisation.

  Flying into or over forbidden areas will carry a penalty that could range between 1 day (14 hours) to immediate disqualification.

  The flying altitude is verified with the live tracking system. If the organisation needs to check a backup track to confirm the altitude rule violation, GPS height will be used.

  The flight track will be verified with the GPS track log. The exact location of the prohibited areas will be published before the start of the race. The organisation will provide information about forbidden areas to all teams.

• 6.3

  Take off must be unaided. Only for security reasons the pilot or the wing can be held, and only by hand. No winching or dragging system is allowed. Failing to comply will this rule will result in a penalty ranging from 1 day to disqualification.

• 6.4

  Team flying is absolutely forbidden. Team flying is defined as help given in flight by other pilots (the assistant or external pilots to the competition) to the official pilot of the race, during long periods of flight away from the area of the take-off.

  In case of sufficient evidence of team flying, the pilot will be disqualified from the race.

7. EQUIPMENT

• 7.1

  The X-Pyr is a cross country flying race, therefore, for the pilot, the use of paragliders with 16m2 or less (speed gliding) is prohibited. Its is also prohibited to fly with paragliders which have a wing load higher than 6 kg/m2, and tandem gliders.

  All pilot’s flying equipment must be certified and must comply with the latest version of the following certification standards (any of them):

  • Paraglider: EN 926-2 and 926-1 or LTF 91/09
  • Harness: EN 1651 with certified protection, or LTF 91/09
  • Emergency parachute: EN 12491 or LTF 91/09
  • Helmet: EN 966, EN1077 A & B.

  Both the pilot, and any assistant that wishes to fly, have to provide documents that prove the certification of all the equipment they are planning to use.

  The full equipment list must be supplied at the very latest two weeks before the start of the race.

  Certification of all parts of the equipment must be completed by the certification authority no later than three weeks before the start of the race.

• 7.2

  The pilot should always walk/fly with the following basic equipment.

  Basic equipment:

  • Paraglider
  • Harness, including a protector or any other accessory (if specified by the certification)
  • Emergency parachute
  • Helmet
  • Mobile telephone
  • Live tracking device (provided by the organisation)
  • Live tracking device (e.g. Spot, Garmin inReach, or similar, provided by the team)
• 7.3

  Every pilot will carry one device for the GPS tracking (mobile and satellite phone based tracker, provided by the organisation). The teams are responsible for the operation and care of that equipment. The organisation may request a deposit for those trackers. This will be the main device for the tracking of the pilot and the verification of their track.
  The assistant will also carry a tracker device, which must be functional at all times during the race.

• 7.4

  As well as the live-tracking GPS, every pilot must carry his/her own GPS to record the track. Each team will be responsible of their own tracks.

  The track will be used to validate the flight/hike if it conforms to the following requirements:

  • The file has satellite altitude
  • The track file has digital signature
  • It comes with a cable to be able to transfer the information to a PC.
• 7.5

  Any pilot that fails to carry the basic equipment at all times, will be disqualified.

• 7.6

  The basic equipment cannot be modified during the course of the race unless all the equipment or part of it is damaged or gets stolen. Any change of equipment must be notified and approved by the organisation. Failure to comply with this rule will incur a 1 day time penalty.

• 7.7

  The organisation will check all the teams’ equipment before the start of the race. As a reminder, they can never exceed their glider and emergency parachute’s weight limit.

8. BRANDS AND LOGOS

• 8.1

  The teams will appear wearing the official clothing in all photos, videos or any appearance on TV or in magazines.

• 8.2

  At all times when possible, the official competition t-shirt or Lycra top must be worn over the other pieces of clothing when flying. Pilots can place their own sponsor logos on the t-shirt/Lycra top sleeves, whilst always making sure that the competition official sponsorship logos are perfectly clear and visible.

• 8.3

  The helmet must show the competition logo. The organisation will provide stickers for that.

9. ROUTE

• 9.1

  Each team will choose its own route but the official turn points given by the organisation must be reached in the right the order described in section 9.2. This can be achieved either by flying or walking, except those which are specifically requested to be made on foot.

• 9.2

  The obligatory turnpoints are (coordinates in UTM: Zone, easting, northing):

  • Start: Hondarribia (beginning of timed section)
    Coordinates: 30T 0597499 4803618
  • TP1: Larun
    Coordinates: 30T 0610660 4796045
    Pilots must walk across the gate on the summit.
    If it is flyable, the organisation will mark the take off.
    It is forbidden to fly before this TP.
  • TP2:Val d’Azun
    Coordinates: 30T 0728526 4763562
    Radius: 500m
    Pilots must walk or fly across the turnpoint
  • TP3: Boí Taull
    Coordinates: 31T 0324890 4705105
    Radius: 2000m
    Pilots must walk or fly across the turnpoint
  • TP4:Monte Perdido
    Coordinates: 31T 0257019 4729056
    Radius: 7000m
    Pilots must walk or fly across the turnpoint
  • TP5: Pic des trois Seigneurs
    Coordinates: 31T 0372521 4743161
    Radius: 1000m
    Pilots must walk or fly across the turnpoint
  • TP6: Vall de Núria
    Coordinates: 31T 0430356 4694159
    Radius: 1000m
    Pilots must cross a signposted area on foot
  • TP7: Santa Helena de Rodes (end of timed section)
    Coordinates: 31T 0513199 4686041
    Pilots must cross a signposted area on foot
  • Goal: El Port de la Selva
    Coordinates: 31T 0516633 4687081

  The organisation will provide the teams with the exact coordinates of the turnpoints.

• 9.3

  The organisation reserves the right to modify the route, waypoint radii or even removing some waypoints.

  This must be communicated during the briefing prior to the race. It will only be applicable if the weather conditions during the week of the race are so bad that it will not be possible to fly for more than 4 days.

• 9.4

  Pilots are not allowed to walk on motorways and dual carriageways, or through tunnels connecting valleys.

10. ROUTE DOCUMENTS

• 10.1

  The live tracking device sends information to the internet where the pilot’s location can be seen in real time. This track is used as verification of the pilot’s route.

• 10.2

  The organisation can ask the pilot for their backup track any time.

• 10.3

  The backup track must have a minimum interval of 1 second between points if flying or 5 seconds if walking.

• 10.4

  A track will be considered valid if it fulfills these conditions:

  • Every time a new track is started the pilot shouldn’t be any further than 150m from the last point of the previous track.
  • There should be no areas without track points for more than 5 minutes.
  • On the ground it shouldn’t show an average speed of over 20 km/h for more than 10 minutes.
  • In flight, it shouldn’t show an average speed of over 70 km/h for more than 20 minutes.
  • The track log must show that no restricted areas have been entered.
  • If track points are missing near prohibited areas and non-compliance with flight rules is suspected, the track must clearly prove the pilot did not enter the prohibited area.
• 10.5

  Infringement of airspace/prohibited areas

  • To take into account the GPS’s precision error, a margin of a % will be added inside any prohibited areas. Entering this tolerance threshold will mean a minimum 4 hour penalty. The minimum penalty is 1 day for entering the prohibited zone.
    
  • The red line shows a track that implies a minimum penalty of 1 day, or even disqualification. Even when no track points can be seen inside the prohibited area, the track log shows without a doubt that there has been an infringement of that area.
  • The orange line shows a track that has entered the error threshold area. Therefore, the pilot would receive a 4 hour penalty.
  • The green line shows a clear track.
  • When differences between the main track and the back-up track are detected, the least disadvantageous option for the pilot will apply.
• 10.6

  Any team that fails to comply with the rules about route verification could be subject to penalties defined by the organisation.

• 10.7

  Each team is advised to practise with their tracklog systems, to use them and test them so they can foresee possible problems during the race.

• 10.8

  All tracks must be saved in a format compatible with the organisation’s instruments and take into account that they must record not only when flying but also on the ground.

• 10.9

  All GPS backup tracks must have the WGS 84 Datum on.

• 10.10

  As soon as the race is over, the competitors will get their final positions according to the time* they take to reach the goal or the distance (in km**) that they have left to the final goal.

  *Time will be taken from the start in Hondarribia to the arrival at turnpoint B8 – Santa Helena de Rodes
  **Distance in km: refers to the shortest distance of pilot’s position in relation to the goal and passing through the turnpoints (the radius) which weren’t reached. A pilot who has reached a greater number of turnpoints will have a better position than another one who hasn’t, even if the latter is closer to goal.

11. ROUTE EVALUATION

• 11.1

  Every team has to be able to submit a completed track log.

• 11.2

  Routes will be evaluated on a daily basis, based on the online track. If it can be seen that the online track breaks any of the rules, the team must be able to send the backup track to the organisation within 12 hours from the moment the track is requested.

• 11.3

  If there is any kind of irregularity on the pilot’s online track, it will be communicated to the team.