What do you like about the X-Pyr that keeps you coming back for more?
My love for adventure racing and the X-Pyr delivers the perfect frame.

How is the X-Pyr different from other H&F competitions you have taken part in?
For me, the biggest difference is that I don’t know the Pyrenees as well as the Alps. The terrain feels less familiar, and the infrastructure is not as developed or predictable. Exactly that is what motivates me to come back every time. Another key difference is the strong focus of the organisation on rules, fairness and athlete safety. You can really feel that safety and structure are taken seriously, which creates a professional and respectful race environment.

How was your race in your previous edition(s)?
It was pure adventure from start to finish. From days of hiking in heavy rain or intense heat to some of the most incredible flying conditions right in the heart of the Pyrenees.

What was the best thing that happened to you in your last X-Pyr?
For me personally, it was the last day of the 2024 race. The whole day was full of tension and anticipation. The conditions in the morning turned out to be much better than expected, and I was able to move efficiently in true hike-and-fly style. Soaring worked perfectly, and I could really make distance and meters when it mattered most.

Everything functioned even better than planned — my intuition and the actual conditions were in complete harmony. Those are the moments you train for: when preparation, instinct, and reality align perfectly.

What was the worst thing that happened to you in your last X-Pyr?
I think it was the first day. The rain and cold weather pushed my body to its limits right from the start. It was physically demanding and mentally tough to deal with those conditions so early in the race.

Thanks to my support team, I managed to get through it without any injuries. However, my phone was heavily damaged by the rain, and that affected the entire race.

What did you learn during the previous edition(s)?
I’m still learning, but I feel I’ve gained more confidence in listening to my intuition and staying consistent with my decisions.

If you could have input into the route, what would you suggest to the organisation?
I really enjoy when the route is complex and doesn’t simply follow the obvious skyways. A course that requires tactical thinking and creative line choices makes the race much more interesting for me.

Ground turnpoints tend to take a bit of the flow out of the race, especially in a hike-and-fly format where rhythm and momentum are important.

And if I could make one practical request: no via ferratas. In a race like this, simplicity and efficiency in movement are key.

What changes have you made to your equipment for this edition?
I will fly a different harness.

Apart from flying far and walking little, what will your strategy be during the race?
I think you can enter a race like this with a certain mindset — for example, being grateful just to be part of it and ready to give your best.

But the actual strategy is never fully defined before the start. It develops during the race itself. Conditions, terrain, timing, and your physical state constantly influence your decisions.

So for me, the key is to stay adaptable, read the situation well, and build the strategy step by step while the race unfolds.

What three pieces of advice would you give to Rookies in the race?
I think the question above is a good advice.

What about your training? How many hours do you fly a year?
I try to connect my training as much as possible with my work, daily life, and of course the weather. Flying is a big part of both my profession and my preparation, so I aim to integrate it naturally rather than separating “training” from everything else.

I try to fly as much as possible throughout the year, but the total hours in the air always depend on conditions. It usually varies between 200 and 350 hours annually.

How do you know your supporter? And have you worked as athlete/supporter before?
I’ve done many races together with Moritz — in fact, he has supported me at almost every major hike-and-fly competition. I’ve known him since before I even started paragliding. I actually motivated him to get into flying, and now I sometimes have to be careful that he doesn’t outfly me on a good XC day.

I trust him completely. I know he always has the overall situation in mind and gives me the right information at the right time. He’s incredibly strong when it comes to organising and structuring things, which is a huge advantage in a race like this.

As for myself, I’ve mainly been in the athlete role. Being supported at this level also teaches you a lot about teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure.

Anything else you like to comment?