What do you like about the X-Pyr that keeps you coming back for more?
Within a week, I get to live such an intense life with so many different impressions. For me it feels as if I have a long four week summer vacation packed into one week only.

How is the X-Pyr different from other H&F competitions you have taken part in?
The length of the race is different. The other races usually finish after 4 days. I like longer races. They can be hard if you fall back, but still you can optimise and with mental strength you can catch up. After all, it is the long adventure in an unfamiliar area for me and my team that keeps us going.

How was your race in your previous edition(s)?
I was very happy with my 2024 race. It was very intense the first 3 days with a lot of hiking and running. By the end of day one I ran 79km. However, from day 3 on it was perfect flying conditions and apart from some minor mistakes we progressed quickly and I managed to reach goal on day 6.

What was the best thing that happened to you in your last X-Pyr?
There were many highlights. One of them was the unexpected flight after bombing out and hiking up to Port de Moudang, finding Stanislav Mayer at the same launching spot and a tricky first part of the flight, followed with a beautiful evening thermal flight with vultures and a landing on Col de Sahun just 5min before the mandatory night curfew.

What was the worst thing that happened to you in your last X-Pyr?
On day four I did one small mistake on a soaring site. I decided to fly into the wrong lee valley. I lost almost a thousand vertical meters. Luckily, I was able to soar up the next hill again. Nevertheless, I lost a lot of time.

What did you learn during the previous edition(s)?
Focus on your adventure. Have a great time with your team. Stay positive and you will end up having a fantastic race.

If you could have input into the route, what would you suggest to the organisation?
I think route-wise, the organisation did a superb job. Iˋd rather give an input on the night curfew. I would prefer a time window, in which you can start/end your night pause. Just the mandatory time period of course, needs to be the same for everybody. They implemented it in the X-Alps and other athletes like it as well.

What changes have you made to your equipment for this edition?
I got a new glider.

Apart from flying far and walking little, what will your strategy be during the race?
I try to stay in a solid group and benefit from it. It is a long adventure and I will focus on myself.

What three pieces of advice would you give to Rookies in the race?
Focus on yourself rather than on the others. Listen to your gut feeling. Have a good time within the team.

What about your training? How many hours do you fly a year?
I mainly focus on my physical training now. As an intermediate goal, I will run the Zürich Marathon in April. Looking outside the window, I realise spring is not too far away anymore. I will pick up intense thermal flying then. I have some minor competitions before. One of it beeing the Swiss Championsship in May. An SIV and top landing training (just next weekend) will complete my X-Pyr readiness. Altogether I esimate 80-100 hours on the paraglider.

How do you know your supporter? And have you worked as athlete/supporter before?
I have two supporters. My flying supporter Stefan accompanied me on my last X-Pyr campaign. I supported him on races and we share a great friendship. My second supporter is Tabea, my girlfriend. It is her first race as a supporter. She will be the helping hand in any matter. Weather, social media/ food/ driving and so on. One thing is clear: We will have a neat camper with her 🙂 In order to be in shape, she trains for a spring marathon.

Anything else you like to comment?
I would love to point out, that one of the reasons I will come back is the great motivation of the organisation and the spirit of the other athletes among each other. I am looking forward to seeing you all in Hondarribia.