SAFA Skysailor Magazine

25 November | December 2024 SKY SAILOR dunes. The site offers easy soaring with the ability to get high enough for basic Acro, and a nice large dune to play around and wagga. Overseas I love Murren in Switzerland. It’s absolutely beautiful, has easy access and you can fly a variety of disciplines including XC, Acro and Speedflying. Who do you look up to or admire? I like hanging out with motivated people. People with energy and enthusiasm to push both physically and mentally. I’ve spent a bunch to time with Phil Hystek from Para- gliding Queensland and find his passion for the sport and energy inspirational. What is your greatest achievement? I don’t often compete, so my achievements tend to be personal milestones. The ability to stay airborne using nature’s elements is incredibly rewarding. Mastering thermals and dynamic lift allows me to experience and appreciate the environment in its purest form. What was your experience like in the X-Pyr Hike & Fly race? I feel I got into a good flow state and everything progressed naturally during the race. I was at the front of the race leapfrogging first from day three. I didn’t expect that to last and was just waiting for others to catch up, but to my surprise, I managed to hold my position. On the last day I felt the pressure and it felt like a race, so I needed to push to maintain my position in unfamiliar territory. I top landed early in the day to relax and come up with a plan, gather my thoughts and get my head in the game. The last flight was neck and neck, and the race to the finish came down to a 19km footrace in 32ºC heat. I was extremely happy with my third place, flying with some of the world’s best athletes and finishing with a podium position was really rewarding! How are you preparing for next year? I have recently been accepted to compete in the 2025 Red Bull X-Alps, which is a circa 1200km hike & fly race across the Alps. I plan to spend a significant amount of time preparing physically and mentally for the race – lots of physical training and time in the Alps to become familiar with the terrain. Thanks for sharing, and we wish you success for the 2025 X-Alps event and beyond. Photos: Courtesy of Shane Tighe (X-Pyr 2024)