Do you have popcorn, a good sofa?
In these rainy days, nothing better than enjoying what was the X-Pyr 2022, on a good big screen watching the official video of the 2022 race.
Remember those great moments of the X-Pyr 2022
You can watch it on Youtube.
Or, if you prefer, download it to watch it wherever you want.
We hope you enjoy it
Just released! The X-PYR STORY series is free to watch on https://bit.ly/xpyr-story
It was an unforgettable experience. Congratulations to all of you.
best wishes
Greg
INSTRUCTOR
The final day…
Today we hooked up with Nicolas Hayes at breakfast. We discussed the options on how to get over to France and further northwest towards TP4. There were two different passes to choose from to get across to the French side. Nicolas knew some pilots in the area and we got some tips on where to go.
We geared up and started hiking. As we started the ascent we saw Greg Hammerton hiking towards the other pass. We discussed our options a little, and concluded it would probably not be that much different. This pass or the other. Potato potato…
As we approached the pass over to France the wind increased rapidly and was funneled through the pass. Major rotor on the French side. Our plan to launch high on the lee side and catch the early thermals on the east facing side was impossible to execute, and we had to walk quite far down (below the inversion) and into France before we found an acceptable area to launch. Unfortunately for us we saw Greg on the livetrack. He was able to launch, climb high, and continue towards TP4. In hindsight it was of course a much better choice of route. More protected from the wind compression, and less hostile terrain on the French side.
Anyway, Nicolas and I were finally able to launch and continue towards Luchon. Some weak thermals made us extend the glide past the airport in Luchon, but no further. Stable, and surprisingly strong valley wind from the north. Headwind. Hard to make progress by flying. The only good option was to walk to the end of the valley and see if we were able to continue flying towards TP4 there.
As we walked we calculated our speed, the elevation, and the deadline at 21:00 to see if we could make it to the top of Pic du Gar. Tight, but we decided to give it a try. It would be great to finish the race in the air. Both our teams helped us with supply of food, water, and whatever required for us to keep going. Nicolas had his father and brothers supporting him. Great people, and really nice to get to know them all!
At the peak our options to launch were not as good as we expected. In the end we decided to give it a try from an area of tall stinging nettles. A weak breeze, and we both took off at the same time and glided together towards TP4. Since Pic du Gar is at 1900 meters the glide was long, and lasted for 25 minutes.
We landed 5 minutes before the deadline. A good way to end the day, and the race, even if this was not a great day for us.
While we wait for the official race documentary, how about a batch of drone shots?
Xpyr
What an XPirience!
O had the opportunity to come experience this race and it was incredible!
I could talk about rain, hiking in the rain, Dengue Fever, difficulties… But that was just part of the game.
I would rather think about the most beautiful views of one of the most magnificent mountain rages of the world, and how incredible it was to go through it’s little corners, valleys and peaks.
How the climb after take off opened this amazing array of valleys and peaks, some covered with snow still.
How the vultures were so nice to indicate the thermals but would leave as soon as o started circling with them as to give room to the clumsy white and red bird that appeared.
How it is not needed to start from the top os the mountain as halfway hill the thermals were already good, and a timed take of would make you out climb the peak in minutes if you timed it right.
That just to talk about the nature.
But the XPyr is so much more than nature, it is the people that put it together in amazing fashion with attention to detail and care and also the pilots and assistants that flock from around the world to do this incredible adventure.
I tried not to use superlatives, but it is just not possible, everything is superlative in this event, the organizers, the pilots, the assistants and of course the nature!
I loved it all, including the suffering before the good weather(would prefer without it though😉).
Hope to come back next time.
Thank you so much Renata for being my supporter, with attention, patience and love.
Thank you everyone else, organization, pilots, supporters.
I loved it!!!
Grande abraço,
João
Last day of race and prize giving ceremony in El Port de la Selva.
We interview Agata Dominguez, representative of Nova about the race and their sponsorship.
After the last pilots crossed the goal line, and as in every competition, this afternoon it has celebrated the prize ceremony of X-Pyr 2022.
The first three team qualifiers have received their prizes in an awesome and friendly atmosphere. And a diploma has been delivered to the rest of the participants.
Great job by Kinga, finishing the race in 24th place and completing a route of 299.9 km.
Last, intense, exciting and satisfying day of the X-Pyr 2022 race. I’m very happy to be part of the top ten of the table and I go home with a good impression being my first participation. It has been a very very hard race and it has not been easy, but this still makes me feel happier with myself for the work I’ve done. I keep many moments in my heart and the spirit of this race. THANK YOU.
Don’t miss that video! James Elliot’s words as David Corpas approaches from behind. Competition and companionship.
No more words are needed, that’s what Cedar says: Best team ever!!!!
