Why did you choose the X-Pyr?
I submitted my application to X-Pyr this year because I’ve rarely been in such good physical shape. I thought, at 34, it’s a great age to chase this dream! I really didn’t expect to be selected, considering there are so many skilled sports pilots in Switzerland.

What is your greatest sporting success?
I have a background in acrobatic paragliding, achieving a notable second place in a leg of the Swiss Cup in Brienz and another second place in synchronized flying with my partner Christophe Guillet at the Swiss Championships. However, my recent standout performance in hike and fly was a solid fourth-place finish in the overall standings of the Swiss Cup 2023.

When and why did you start paragliding?
In 2004, every evening and weekend, I spent my time at the landing or take-off site of the paragliding spot in my town. I was already passionate before even getting the chance to practice. I piloted my first paraglider in 2005 during a trip with Léo Boegli, a pilot from my town who took me under his wing for an adventure to the Dune du Pilat when I was 15. Upon my return, he enrolled me in courses to obtain the Swiss paragliding license, and that marked the beginning of my adventure!

What is your mountaineering experience?
I come from the Jura – I have no experience in the mountains ahahah ; -)

No, I did some 4000 m mountains in the Alps and discovered many beautiful regions during my hike and fly races such as the Eigertour, Trail Fly Lenk or Vercofly.

What are your best and worst sporting memories?
Best : in 2023, I participated in the Mont-Blanc Airtour, one of the recent memories that has left a lasting impression on me. Despite a result below my expectations, I discovered a stunning region with breathtaking scenery. P.S. Rémi, I’ve submitted my application for 2024, hahaha!
Worst: during one of my first hike and fly races, I twisted a testicle after several hours of walking, and I had to give up! Really not the best memory. 😂

Have you flown in the Pyrenees before? Do you have a favourite area?
I have never flown in the Pyrenees, moreover if pilots want to show me some sites during April or May I am motivated to come and spend a few days there.

Is there anything you like to see (or not) in the route?
I would like to see a lot of paragliding in the air and less tarmac roads 🙂

Apart from flying far and walking little, what will your strategy be during the race?
I can’t tell you my secret otherwise I’ll have to kill you 😉

What does your typical training week consist of?
The week starts with a strength training session on the first day, followed by a easy running session on the third day. The fifth day is dedicated to interval training, and the weekend is devoted to elevation gains, with, weather permitting, paragliding descents. The program may vary based on the desire to make me suffer from my excellent coaches Eliot and Vincent from Summit Push.

What has been the hardest part of your race preparation so far?
Interval cardio training 🥵

What excites you most about participating in the X-Pyr?
Compete among the best pilots in the world and discover the Pyrenees.

What worries you the most about the event?
What scares me the most is that an injury might force me to give up.

How do you know your assistant?
He did his paragliding license in the paragliding school that I took over and he has been playing hockey in the same team as me for years.

What are your assistant’s main strengths?
He doesn’t listen to what I say when I’m grumpy 😁

What advice would you ask of the race veterans?
What would you do differently if you could relive the last X-Pyr?

Anything else you like to comment?
Join me on Instagram to share an encouraging word or provide a secret tactic. 😁”