It is with great dissappointment that we have to announce the withdrawal of Catalan pilot Fredi Tuset and his supporter Andreu Moreno. Living on the course line, he would have been flying home and beyond in the race. A niggling injury means he will not be able to stand on the start line. A long-time member of the Catalan Hike & Fly Team and League, he will be missed in the race. We wish him a fast recovery and best wishes.
After a record-breaking number of applicants, we can now announce the selected teams. There are 50 – the largest number in the history of the event. Some are familiar faces to the race. Defending champion Simon Oberrauner (AUT) and 2024 runner-up Christian Schugg (GER), as well as local pilot and former World Champion Pierre Remy (FRA) will be racing against 4-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI) who returns to the race after a break.
There will be 30 rookies, including 5 women. Many local Pyrenean pilots have been selected and their knowledge of terrain and weather may be crucial. Here you can see all the teams that will be on the starting line at Hondarribia on the 21st of June.
We say this every edition, but this year we have the highest level of competitors ever and the racing should be fierce. There are so many potential winners in the field. It’s going to be an exciting week!
ROOKIES: these rookies are stepping onto the X-Pyr stage for the very first time.
FIRST TIMERS: meet the athletes taking on their first X-Pyr.
YOUNG GUNS: these athletes are all under 30, will young legs beat mature minds?
INTERCONTINENTALS: these athletes have crossed continents to participate in the race.
RETURNERS: they’ve felt the scale of the Pyrenees before, and bring something priceless: experience.
LOCALS: they know these mountains. Will local knowledge become the decisive advantage?
GOALIES: they have done it once, from coast to coast. Can they reach goal again?
WOMEN: there have never been so many women taking part in such a high-level H&F race.
LEGENDS: every athlete in this group has stood among the best at X-Pyr. This year’s race pits defending champion Simon Oberrauner against 4-time champion Chrigel Maurer. Pierre Remy has been tantalisingly close to the top spot and is hungry for glory. Last time rookie, Christian Schugg, pulled off an incredible final flight to take 2nd place. Can he do one better? Standa Mayer has always made goal, can he do it a fifth time? And we welcome back our friend Toma Coconea. A legend in H&F racing.
Soon you will be able to see all the team info, interviews, etc. Keep watching this space.
