When and why did you start paragliding?
I started paragliding in 2014, almost by chance. A friend was selling his equipment and I bought it on a whim, while another friend taught me how to fly. What was supposed to be a simple opportunity quickly turned into a passion.
Paragliding has become a way of being in the mountains, observing, deciding and feeling that special freedom that can only be found in the air.

Why have you applied to participate in the X-Pyr?
The X-Pyr is a natural fit for my career path. I have already crossed the Pyrenees twice on hike & fly trips, and I want to return in a different, longer, and more structured setting.
For me, this race represents a personal quest and a human adventure with my team.
It’s also an opportunity to take on a demanding format, where preparation, adaptation, and quality decision-making are key. I see it as a long-term project, fueled by my attachment to the Pyrenees and my desire to fully commit to a challenge that is built day by day.

Why are you attracted to hike & fly?
Hike & fly appeals to me because of its simplicity and demanding nature. You travel light, carrying only what you can carry, and every decision counts. There is no separation between effort, flight, and strategy: everything is connected.
For me, hike & fly remains the holy grail of freedom in paragliding: a practice where every step and every takeoff is earned. It allows me to explore my relationship with effort, commitment, and the mountains, while living each moment intensely and focusing on understanding and the quality of my choices.

What is your greatest sporting success (flying or not flying)?
For me, it’s the adventures that have made me feel truly alive. Crossing the Pyrenees twice by hike & fly, exploring the Alps on foot and in flight, completing the 220km Grand Raid des Pyrénées, finishing the GR 20, or crossing Canada on foot and on touring skis independently… Each experience pushed me to my limits, taught me to listen to my body and stay focused on the moment.

What I remember most is not the numbers or the rankings, but those moments of freedom, of shared effort with the mountains, and that rare feeling of being completely present, alive. These adventures always make me want to set off again, to discover and push my own limits a little further.

What excites you most about participating in the X-Pyr?
What excites me most is the idea of spending several days of intense adventure in the mountains, having to make decisions every day, managing the effort and conditions, and sharing these moments with my team. The X-Pyr is a unique blend of freedom, pushing your limits and discovering both the mountains and yourself. Each stage will be a moment to savour, where we will test our limits while remaining curious and mindful of our surroundings.

What is your best result in a H&F competition so far?
My best result in hike & fly competition was finishing first in the Pyrenees Airtour, a demanding race that pitted me against some very high-calibre pilots. This experience taught me to stay focused and clear-headed, and to pace myself over the long term, while still enjoying flying in the mountains.

Have you flown in the Pyrenees before? Do you have a favourite area?
Yes, I’ve flown a lot in the Pyrenees and explored different areas by hike & fly, between the Hautes-Pyrénées, the Basque Country, Aragon and Catalonia. I don’t have a favourite spot… because there are too many! 😄 I especially love the diversity, the contrasts, and the high, grassy or rocky areas with beautiful curves and breathtaking landscapes. What I enjoy most is discovering the mountains as I fly along, where each flight always reveals something new and unexpected.

What does your typical training week consist of?
My training week combines physical work, technical practice, and mental preparation. I work with a physical trainer, a mental coach, and a nutritionist to ensure comprehensive progress. In winter, I practice ski mountaineering to develop endurance and power while staying connected to the mountains. The rest of the time, I run, cycle a little, and do combat sports sessions, depending on my training cycles.

Each week is structured to improve endurance, speed, and power, while strengthening my attention span, emotional management, and confidence in my decisions. The goal is not only to progress, but also to maintain enjoyment and curiosity in each session, whether in the mountains or in the gym, flying or on foot.

What worries you the most about the event?
What worries me most is not the physical or technical difficulty, but the moments of uncertainty when everything can change, such as the weather, managing energy over several days, or decisions to be made in flight, and valleys where there is no place to land, for example.

Personally, how do you feel differently when you participate in H & F races in comparison to XC competitions?
In H&F, everything is more strategic and demanding: you have to manage your effort on the ground as well as in flight, anticipate each stage, and constantly adapt to conditions and your energy levels. Communication with the team is also crucial for sharing information, coordinating stages, and making the best decisions, depending on the competition. Every flight is truly earned, and every day is a physical and mental challenge. Compared to XC, where the focus is mainly on reading conditions, distance covered, and average flight speed, H&F requires total commitment and a constant balance between endurance, concentration, decision-making, and coordination with teammates.

How do you know your supporter? And have your worked as athlete/supporter before?

I have only known my supporter for a short time, we have only met once, but his attitude immediately struck me: calm, thoughtful, and genuine. I have never officially worked with him as an athlete/supporter, but I know that his presence and support will be invaluable in helping me stay focused and effective during the race.

What advice would you ask of the race veterans?
How do you manage to stay fresh and alert the day after endless days… and still perform at your best ? 😄

Anything else you like to comment?
The X-Pyr is much more than a race: it’s a real adventure, a challenge where every day counts. We discover the mountains, push our limits, and make decisions that matter at every stage. We feel the effort, the uncertainty, and the satisfaction when a flight is earned or a difficult stage is completed.
So that you can experience the adventure with us, my friend Gérard Ganglion, a videographer, will be there to capture photos and videos and share our moments on social media with his very humorous style. We hope you’ll feel like you’re right there with us, part of our team (along with Pauline and Julien), feeling the challenge, the fun, and the intensity of each day, and that it will inspire you to launch your own adventures that make you dream.