TEAMS
Gabriela Avagian
PILOT
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Norway
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28
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Engineering master student (until June)
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Trondheim (Norway)
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Rookie
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GIN (tbd)
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GIN (tbd)
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SWEET PROTECTION Switcher (mips)
Dagfinn Graneng
ASSISTANT
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Norway
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Lysoysund (Norway)
Team details
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When and why did you start paragliding?
I started flying in 2017, right after high school. I wanted to do something different before starting university, and found paragliding. I didn’t know much about the sport before I started, but I for sure fell in love with it immediately.
Why have you applied to participate in the X-Pyr?
I was excited about flying and hiking in the Pyrenees, and I felt like after doing Dolomiti Super Fly and Bornes to Fly, I wanted to find new races where I could torture myself.
Why are you attracted to hike & fly?
I like to push myself psychically, but I also like to push myself mentally. I enjoy the adventure part where I can discover cool places together with my team.
What is your greatest sporting success (flying or not flying)?
I became Nordic champion in 2025 in women’s category, and placed 11th overall.
What excites you most about participating in the X-Pyr?
Exploring the Pyrenees together with my team, and trying to reach the goal!
What is your best result in a H&F competition so far?
I completed Bornes to Fly 2025 and was number four in the female category.
Have you flown in the Pyrenees before? Do you have a favourite area?
I haven’t been there yet, but I plan to come down there before the race to get to know the area a bit more before the race.
What does your typical training week consist of?
I aim to have two strength sessions a week, then I usually have 3 running and 3 other endurance workouts, like biking, cross-country skiing and ski touring, depending on the season.
What worries you the most about the event?
Bad weather (rain) for several days, and windy valleys.
Personally, how do you feel differently when you participate in H & F races in comparison to XC competitions?
I feel more pressure in XC competitions, because if you bomb out your day is over. While in hike & fly, you can continue on foot to the next take-off or just keep running on the road. Also, if you’re five minutes behind at the ESS, you can have a bad score, while if you’re five minutes behind in a Hike & Fly race, you’ve usually performed quite well.
How do you know your supporter? And have your worked as athlete/supporter before?
Dagfinn is my boyfriend, and he has previously supported me in the Bornes To Fly 2023. Like in every day life, he is my trusted slave 😉
What advice would you ask of the race veterans?
Maybe a bit generic, but I already asked one of the veterans “if they had anything special that I should know about the race from their experience”
Anything else you like to comment?
