Cross Country Magazine News

Skywalk release high-B Chili 6 Skywalk have released the Chili 6. The latest evolution of their high EN-B paraglider, they describe it as “an exceptionally balanced wing for ambitious cross-country pilots seeking the perfect combination of performance, control, and comfort”. The Chili 6 is a 2.5-liner, a set-up which combines the efficiency of a two-liner with the familiar handling and… https://xcmag.com/news/skywalk-release-high-b-chili-6/

Going big in Japan In April 2026 I travelled to Japan, where I was welcomed and guided by two charismatic pilots and instructors: Kaoru Ogisawa (Ogi) and Naohisa Okada. We flew a few hours’ drive from Tokyo, first near the iconic Mount Fuji in fine spring conditions, then over the Izu Peninsula, which offers beautiful panoramic and thermal flying… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/going-big-in-japan/

Soaring the roof of India Dev Bhoomi, or ‘God’s Land’, refers to the state of Uttarakhand in Northern India. Located between Himachal Pradesh and the Nepalese border, it is home to some of the most religiously significant areas in the Hindu religion, as well as the largest mountain to sit entirely within India’s borders, Nanda Devi (7,816m). It is an… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/soaring-the-roof-of-india/

Rémi Bourdelle dies in accident during Dolomiti Super Fly The Dolomiti Super Fly 2026 hike-and-fly race was cancelled on Tuesday 25 August following a fatal accident involving the French pilot Rémi Bourdelle. Rémi, 34, died after suffering hitting a cable in flight at 7.10pm local time, just 50 minutes before the mandatory rest period began. The accident happened shortly after he had taken off… https://xcmag.com/news/remi-bourdelle-dies-in-accident-during-dolomiti-super-fly/

Destination: the Dolomites It’s hard to find anywhere that quite matches the raw jagged beauty of the Italian Dolomites. Home to soaring limestone peaks, these mountains form part of a Unesco world heritage site and draw tourists – and pilots – from around the world. Mountains like Tre Cime (Dreizinnen) and Marmolada (3,343m), the highest peak in the… https://xcmag.com/travel-guide/destination-the-dolomites/

Invitation to celebrate FAI International Day of Air Sports The FAI is inviting the community to get involved and celebrate the very first International Day of Air Sports on 14 October 2026. Led by the FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, this annual celebration aims to bring together air sports enthusiasts around the world to “showcase the excitement, diversity and accessibility of flying”. Activities… https://xcmag.com/news/invitation-to-celebrate-fai-international-day-of-air-sports/

Swing launch Sonic RS parakite Swing have launched the Sonic RS, an all-round parakite developed from the reflex profile of their Scorpio RS paramotor wing. Aimed at wide range of use from “strong-wind soaring at the coast to dynamic turns and precise proximity flying, the handling stays direct, predictable and intuitive.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wa6Ehsodcs The wing was developed by Swing’s Italian R&D… https://xcmag.com/news/gear-news/swing-launch-sonic-rs-parakite/

Letter From: A global free-flight utopia I can remember paragliding as a ten-year-old. We were on a family ski trip in Verbier and, immediately upon seeing tandem paragliding being offered from the top of Les Ruinettes, I tugged on my mum’s coat, begging her to let me go. What followed was an experience so mind-blowing and meaningful that learning to fly… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/adventure-and-inspiration/letter-from-a-global-free-flight-utopia/

Weather: Will 2026/7 bring a ‘Super El-niño’? It’s an El Niño year, and NOAA’s weather scientists in the USA have predicted that this year El Niño could become “very strong”, with significant impacts on global weather and climate. Some reports have predicted a “super El Niño”. Typically, El Niño brings flooding and high temperatures to the arid northern west coast of South… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/weather/weather-will-2026-7-bring-a-super-el-nino/

Slovenia triumphs at European Championships The 18th FAI European Paragliding Championships successfully concluded on 19 August after nine tasks ranging from 68km to 104km. It was a spectacular week in Krusevo with pilots reporting great conditions and no accidents. The Slovenian pilot Tilen Ceglar took the overall win, becoming the new European Champion. Roger Aeschbacher (SUI) came second and Alvaro… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/slovenia-triumphs-at-european-championships/

Wanderbird series wraps in Werfenweng The Wanderbird Trophy hike-and-fly race series made its first stop in Werfenweng Austria last weekend. From 7-9 August more than 80 pilots from nine countries came together to tackle a course over the Tennen mountains south of Salzburg. A strong field of pilots and an outstanding site turned the event into a highlight of the… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/wanderbird-series-wraps-in-werfenweng/

Coupe Icare 2026, 15-20 September: Need to know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4R9xQnyjew The Coupe Icare 2026 The 53rd Coupe Icare runs 15-20 September 2026 in St Hilaire du Touvet, France. The official website is in French and English and is regularly updated. The festival includes: Icarnaval, 19-20 September: The flagship event is the legendary flying fancy dress parade, which takes place over the Saturday and Sunday… https://xcmag.com/news/comps-and-events/coupe-icare-2026-need-to-know/

Advance release Progress 4 harness Advance have released the fourth iteration of their popular Progress harness, which is aimed at new pilots as well as pilots who love the feel and safety of an upright harness. “The new Progress 4 combines outstanding comfort, intuitive handling and comprehensive protection in a versatile midweight harness-rucksack system,” say Advance. It features ergonomically shaped… https://xcmag.com/news/advance-release-progress-4-harness/

The Paragliding Podcast, Episode 8 This is a special edition of the podcast with long term friend of the magazine, Tom de Dorlodot, recorded on board his yacht Wings while sailing from the Azores to La Rochelle, France in June. In this conversation with Tarquin, Tom talks about his comeback from a devastating leg injury, the work he’s been doing… https://xcmag.com/podcasts/the-paragliding-podcast-episode-8/

COUPE ICARE 2026: THE MAN BEHIND THE MAGIC The public face of the famous Coupe Icare in St Hilaire du Touvet, France, is one of flying dragons, wingsuit pilots, acro displays and fire-breathing stilt-walkers. Oh, and green beer in re-usable plastic cups. However, behind the scenes the reality is very different. Because months before the first fancy-dress or acro pilot clips in ahead… https://xcmag.com/magazine-articles/pilots-and-profiles/coupe-icare-2026-the-man-behind-the-magic/

BGD launch Kiss 2 lightweight paraglider and parakite https://youtu.be/v1wH6nUzRZ4?si=Ahf0Wm75RUVDoGU5 BGD have released the Kiss 2, a lightweight mountain wing that can be converted between a conventional paraglider and a parakite. Weighing from 1.8kg to 2.6kg, with an aspect ratio of 4.7, the Kiss 2 is aimed at hike-and-fly, mountain flying and pilots looking for a lightweight wing with the option to fly in… https://xcmag.com/news/bgd-launch-kiss-2-lightweight-paraglider-and-parakite/

Malin Lobb launches Pure Paragliding and ActiveAir British SIV instructor and paragliding coach Malin Lobb is launching two new paragliding projects, Pure Paragliding and ActiveAir, after announcing he will leave Flyeo at the end of the 2026 season. Malin has spent the past ten years with Flyeo, where he was co-owner and helped develop the Annecy-based operation into one of the best-known… https://xcmag.com/news/malin-lobb-launches-pure-paragliding-and-activeair/

Flying the eclipse: Horacio Llorens in Mallorca https://youtu.be/qtC7OpeiG70?si=Rh7qPWO-VSgPmZI8 Ten-time Acro World Cup champion Horacio Llorens nailed the shot when the eclipse passed over Spain in Mallorca, flying a paramotor through the Sóller valley as the Moon covered the Sun during the island’s total solar eclipse. A five-person team spent more than a month preparing to capture the shot. With photographers positioned high… https://xcmag.com/news/flying-the-eclipse-horacio-llorens-in-mallorca/

The Head Game: Staying present in every moment It’s after midday and you’re flying at 2,200m. The landscape glides beneath and the vario sings intermittently. Everything seems calm. But it’s a different story in your head: you’re watching a cloud develop a little too quickly; you’re thinking about your transition to the pass; a wing appears in your peripheral vision; and just as… https://xcmag.com/fly-better/paragliding-techniques-paramotoring-skills/the-head-game-staying-present-in-every-moment/

Roldanillo earthquake: pilots rally to help https://youtu.be/T9IvRL0HNxo?si=WGG2hPm3_HMQPYCh Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and two people killed in Roldanillo following the powerful earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday 10 August. The international paragliding community is now being asked to help support the town. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, causing widespread destruction across the region and… https://xcmag.com/news/roldanillo-earthquake-pilots-rally-to-help/