In and incredible end to the day, Chrigel flew almost to the last turnpoint. The day started flying together with Maxime Pinot, in a really early take-off, but, most incredible, with awesome conditions (maybe wave).
Then they reached Pic de l’Orri, and joined Pierre Remy there. So the race started again. After some many hours in the air, Pierre and Chrigel landed at the north face of Canigó, but Maxime crossed to the south side and continued flying.
Once Maxime reached the last final of the race, which is absolutely flat, he landed.
And when all of us thought that it was impossible to beat him, the eagle from Adelsboden came, and flew over their heads. He landed almost at the final turn point.
So, Chrigel Maurer, for the 4th time in a row, is the winner of the X-Pyr.
But more than ever in the “famous X”. Why?, because there are many zones where the phone coverage is inexistent.
That means we cannot follow our heroes in the way we like the most, live.
But, we have an option to know where are they, based on their position in the second livetrack system they carry. The one based in satellite telephony: Spot / inReach.
In our main Livetracking server, Livetrack24, you can check their position. Yes, we know, it’s not the same. But it’s better than nothing. And it’s safe.
So, while we wait for them to reach an area with coverage, we can check their location in the different options we have in Livetrack24 (except 2D, which is under revision).
Note: The Spot tracker doesn’t record altitude points.
After hard weather conditions, some teams have decided to say good bye to the X-Pyr 2022 in the third day of the race. The first victims of this year are Edoardo Colombo, Frédéric Juvaux, Giuliano Minutella and José Ignacio Arévalo.
Edoardo Colombo teamFrédéric Juvaux teamGiuliano Minutella teamJosé Ignacio Arévalo team
The X-Pyr Adventure started this time very hard. The two days hiking were tough, so flying never felt better than on day 3!!! On top of that, it was possible to cross the border twice in a day. The flight over 8,5 hours and a cloudbase on 3400m gives us a beautiful view over the Pyrenees! On to the next one!!
The day began with rain, and many began day hiking. It started looking more promising later and more to the north and east. Many pilots managed some short flights between rain showers. But for most it was a long hard slog on tarmac.
Heading towards turn point 2, the pack split into two, most choosing the north route, lead by Maxime Pinot, who headed the race nearly the whole day.
When Maxime got to close to the TP 2 he managed to fly, but landed short and had to hike up to the TP and then managed to fly again.
During the race so far, Chrigel Maurer and Noe Court have been inseparable. They arrived at TP1 together, their teams stayed in the same place overnight, and they have taken every step together.
Today they took the southerly route. Near TP 2 they were joined by Simon Oberrauner.
They hiked to the top of the ridge with intention of flying to the TP, but found it in cloud. Cloudbase was only about 1000 or 1100 m. To be able to launch, they hiked down until they were clear of cloud and managed to tag the TP flying.
The same for Tim Alongi. After tagging the TP they managed to carry on flying after the TP but it was raining when they landed.
Since then there have been complaints from other competitors and followers, alleging cloud flying.
This prompted the race director to launch an investigation. A race official on the hill confirmed they walked down until they were in the whisps – not in cloud.
Therefore it has been deemed they have not broken race rules.
Many pilots have reached or are now close to TP 2 and will reach it by tomorrow morning. Tomorrow it looks flyable, so the big push to get to here has paid off.
Tomorrow will be much more favourable and there will be a great deal of tactics involved in crossing the restricted airspace over the Pyrenees National Park. In some areas the pilots may not be less than 200 m or 1000 m over the ground and may not land unless it is an emergency.
Keep watching tomorrow to see how the teams negotiate this airspace puzzle, or go around it to play safe.
Nothing better than a good day in the Pyreneese! We had a blast hiking up and down those hills, really. Thinking about it, we are still searching for a sense in all of this,. Wait, why we are doing this already ? No kidding 600km across?
This morning started very nicely after a beautiful night that was immersed by DJ Jean Bon sound in Guethary. We have to admit that XPyr is not the only successful event happening those days. Les restau du cœur made a great deal about their party. Anyways… We started at the start, the beginning of all this adventure : the Atlantic. Now we have to reach the Mediterranean sea using wings, legs, agility, and really, all skills we can find.
Looking at the conditions we’re having for the first days of the race, Édouard decided to keep up to his pace. Not the one of the superheroes in front, although we try to follow their smart ideas 🙂
That’s all for tonight folks. The Buddha bowl is ready, Bon Appétit.