Julien Irilii, The Grand Jorasses, and his XXLite

Julien Irilli, of France, has completed an amazing mission in Chamonix, using his Ozone XXLite. He flew from the Aiguille du Midi to near the base of the Grandes Jorasses, solo-climbed the North Face via the technical Colton-MacIntyre route in just 3:35hrs, and then launched from the summit and flew all the way back to Chamonix, landing before four o’clock in the afternoon.

In his own words:

“Sunday, September 14, 3:00 PM. I am sitting in the snow at the top of the Grandes Jorasses, crying with pleasure and disbelief at a dream accomplished. I had been waiting for an opening in …read more

Source: Ozone Paragliders

Video: Dudeks’s new freestyle wing, the Freeway 2

Here’s a video preview of Dudek’s new freestyle wing, the Freeway 2, being test-flown by Jeremy Bailly at Annecy. He says it’s fast, safe and fun. We’ll find out more soon. www.dudek.eu • Got news? Send it to us at news@xcmag.com. Subscribe to the world’s favourite hang gliding and paragliding magazine home …read more

Source: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine

Coupe Icare 2014: 18-21 September

The 41st Coupe Icare, the world’s biggest hang gliding, paragliding and paramotoring festival, starts on Thursday 18 September 2014. Some 100,000 people are expected to attend over the course of the four day event. Held in the small village of St Hilaire du Touvet in the hills above Grenoble, France, the aerial Woodstock attracts visitors […] …read more

Source: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine

Rick Van der Sloot wins Gin Wide Open 2014

Rick Van der Sloot was crowned winner of the second Gin Wide Open, which took place at Ager in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees, finishing on 13 September 2014. In second place was the UK’s Andy Smart, and Pedro Citoler (DE) was third. Catherine Bartholdi (CH) won the women’s competition in 13th place overall. […] …read more

Source: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine

UK’s Royal Aero Club announce new bursaries

The Royal Aero Club Trust in the UK has put out a call for applications for its 2015 bursary scheme. Young or trainee pilots aged 14-21 can apply for bursaries of between £500-£1000 to help with training. Applicants must be UK citizens resident in the UK. Additionally, pilots aged 21-24 can apply for a ‘Follow […] …read more

Source: Cross Country – International Free Flying Magazine