Cross Country Magazine News

The Alps 101 I was on a “secret launch” somewhere outside the main Annecy basin in the northern French Alps watching as my flying buddy for the day disappeared into the distance. He had given me some vague instructions about heading left after take-off, then climbing out to a certain height (1,200m? 1,800m?) before pushing out and around… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/the-alps-101/

The Paragliding Podcast, Episode 6 In this episode Tarquin and Ed discuss issue 266, which is dedicated to all things Alpine. Ed gives a preview of the magazine, which features a wealth of tips, advice and inspiration for flying in the Alps, whether you’re looking to fly your first 100km or like contributor Luca Godenzi, just happy to be in… https://xcmag.com/podcasts/the-paragliding-podcast-episode-6/

Aaron Durogati breaks hike-and-fly record under the midnight sun Aaron Durogati has set a new 24-hour hike-and-fly world record after climbing and flying an astonishing 19,424m of vertical ascent in a single day on Norway’s Slogen mountain. The challenge took place on 7-8 June 2026, with Aaron repeatedly climbing and flying from the 1,080m mountain near Norway’s western coast. By the end of the… https://xcmag.com/news/aaron-durogati-breaks-hike-and-fly-record-under-the-midnight-sun/

Kössen super paragliding testival delivers In the buildup to the Kössen Super Paragliding Testival the forecast was so bad that manufacturers were asking whether it would be shortened by a day or two. In the end, the skies cleared to deliver four days of flyable conditions for hundreds of pilots keen to try out the latest wings. “We had over… https://xcmag.com/news/kossen-super-paragliding-testival-delivers/

Masterclass: Calef Letorney on Efficient Pilot Progression Prepare to fast track your progression. In this masterclass US pilot and instructor Calef Letorney talks through the various steps you need to improve your flying game. Over the next seven videos, Calef breaks down what you need to do to take your flying to the next level. He splits the Masterclass into two parts:… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/masterclasses/masterclass-calef-letorney-on-efficient-pilot-progression/

Masterclass: Calef Letorney on Efficient Pilot Progression Prepare to fast track your progression. In this masterclass US pilot and instructor Calef Letorney talks through the various steps you need to improve your flying game. Over the next seven videos, Calef breaks down what you need to do to take your flying to the next level. He splits the Masterclass into two parts:… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/masterclasses/masterclass-calef-letorney-on-efficient-pilot-progression/

Masterclass: Calef Letorney on Efficient Pilot Progression Prepare to fast track your progression. In this masterclass US pilot and instructor Calef Letorney talks through the various steps you need to improve your flying game. Over the next seven videos, Calef breaks down what you need to do to take your flying to the next level. He splits the Masterclass into two parts:… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/masterclasses/masterclass-calef-letorney-on-efficient-pilot-progression/

Masterclass: Calef Letorney on Efficient Pilot Progression Prepare to fast track your progression. In this masterclass US pilot and instructor Calef Letorney talks through the various steps you need to improve your flying game – and that begins by prioritising flying in your personal life. It may be selfish, he says, but it’s also what you need to do. Over the next… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/masterclasses/masterclass-calef-letorney-on-efficient-pilot-progression/

Nova launch low EN-B Nexo Nova unveiled the Nexo at the Kössen Super Paragliding Testival – a low EN-B with a wide range appeal, whether XC capability with high passive safety, durability or as a true all-rounder. They say it can also be used as a school wing (in countries where EN-Bs are permitted in schools). “The Nexo is made… https://xcmag.com/news/nova-launch-low-en-b-nexo/

Cross Country Issue 266: July 2026 Subscribe Now The Alps can be everything to every pilot. From morning hike-and-fly to SIV or acro runs to thermalling lessons to first XC to flying 200km to breaking world records. They can inspire, intimidate, frighten, challenge and reward, at whatever level you’re at. We’ve dedicated this issue to The Alps – that 1,200km arc… https://xcmag.com/issues/cross-country-issue-266-july-2026/

X-Pyr 2026: New route revealed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQlYr3YmK4 The new route for this year’s X-Pyr has been announced – and it’s a 528km race touching on seven turnpoints. In the announcement organisers explained: “The 528.8 km route covers seven turnpoints before the fly-down to goal at el Port de la Selva. As usual the start is on the beach at Hondarribia. Once… https://xcmag.com/news/x-pyr-2026-new-route-revealed/

First Look: Neo Push Up https://youtu.be/FvKrB2FE3Gg The Neo Push Up is billed as the lightest seatboard harness on the market. Designed as a hike-and-fly harness for pilots who prefer a classic ABS geometry, it is also suitable for beginners and as a travel harness thanks to its light weight and compact packed size. Marcus King tries it on for size. https://xcmag.com/gear-guide/paraglider-reviews/paraglider-harnesses-and-reserves-reviews/first-look-neo-push-up/

BGD unveil lightweight EN-C Tigra A lightweight EN-C two-liner that is born to compete – as well as take part in hike-and-fly adventures. That’s the promise of BGD’s new Tigra, which was unveiled last week. At just 3.8kg in size S, BGD say the Tigra combines “lightweight agility with the performance and stability needed for all-out XC flying”. Like their… https://xcmag.com/news/bgd-unveil-lightweight-en-c-tigra/

Kössen Paragliding Testival 2026 kicks off The legendary Austrian venue of Kössen is preparing to host its famous paragliding testival, which runs 4 to 7 June. With dozens of manufacturers attending and a weather forecast that looks flyable most days it’s the ideal place to check out the latest wings, harnesses and accessories. The pilots’ bar will be serving endless rounds… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/kossen-paragliding-testival-kicks-off/

Hang Gliding Europeans 2026: 31 May to 13 June https://youtu.be/wy1OSHGH8bM?si=3iIulCIxNPPKkCLj The European Hang Gliding Championships kicked off at the weekend with an opening ceremony in the streets of Gemona del Friuli, northern Italy. The town is hosting the 22nd FAI European Hang Gliding Class 1 Championship alongside the 11th FAI World Hang Gliding Class 5 Championship. The competitions will run from 31 May to… https://xcmag.com/news/hang-gliding-europeans-2026-31-may-to-13-june/

Design Insight: AirDesign BoxR The BoxR is AirDesign’s new harness for beginners and those who prefer the simplicity of an open harness. Released at the end of last year I got to try one in the south of France in early spring. https://youtu.be/wHHmbfJcw2Q The basics The BoxR is an open harness with seatboard that should suit a lot of… https://xcmag.com/gear-guide/paraglider-reviews/paraglider-harnesses-and-reserves-reviews/design-insight-airdesign-boxr/

‘Highest pilot level ever’ at SRS Skywalk Edition in Italy After five great tasks it was World Cup legend Andreas ‘Pepe’ Malecki (DEU) who stood on the top step of the podium of the SRS Skywalk Edition in Bassano, Italy. He finished ahead of Ross Desmond (USA) and Marco Sommerfeld (CHE). In the women’s competition Vanja took the top spot ahead of USA’s Summer Barham… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/highest-pilot-level-ever-at-srs-skywalk-edition-in-italy/

Land of the thunder dragon My first real contact with Bhutan was about 25 years ago, when my friend and photographer Sean White showed me his then newly released documentary, Into the Thunder Dragon, which followed two unicyclists across the country. I remember watching the video over and over. I wasn’t particularly drawn to the unicycling mission itself, which I… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/land-of-the-thunder-dragon/

Red Bull X-Alps 2027: Chrigel wins but rookies triumph Chrigel Maurer won the first ever Red Bull X-Alps Challenger event on Saturday 30 May, but it was the rookie pilots Aaron Mathis, 20, and Romy Sweda, 35, who came away with the biggest grins. After a three-day event which culminated in an 82km one-day hike-and-fly race Mathis and Sweda each won a coveted wildcard… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/red-bull-x-alps-2027-chrigel-wins-but-rookies-triumph/

Fight or Flight I am at almost 19,000 feet. My wing is unfurled on the snow in front of me catching drifts of Andean air flowing over the ridge. Behind it is a cliff heading to the bottom of the southeast face of Artesonraju (6,025m), the half of which we just climbed. Behind me is another cliff tumbling… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/fight-or-flight/