SAFA Skysailor Magazine

12 SKY SAILOR September | October 2022 those in front who had already crossed into Spain, are flying epic distances! Not to mention that I had a near death experience when a truck squeezed me against a brick wall. I finally made it to Col de Somport at 7:30pm. A quick decision to climb, we even convinced Patrick’s team to come. We all had a fantastic flight with a beautiful evening thermal, strong tailwind and overtook seven teams who gave up on flying – either too exhausted to hike up or believing it wasn’t worth it. I landed going backwards in a weird katabatic, couldn’t quite get out of my harness so I just collapsed on the field like an injured penguin. (BTW, I damaged my harness today, which Chris sewed back up on the spot!) It was 15 minutes until the mandatory night break and we were on a good camping spot so with nothing more to do, and I gave myself five minutes to fall apart, cry and release the stress of the day. Of course that’s when a race media crew came to interview me! Rough days are part of racing. To hold it together when it all goes to sh*t, it’s never too late to climb, and the day isn’t over until you gave it all. Day 4 – Windy day I hiked with Chris up Punta de la Espata. Richie, Patrick and his supporter were hiking the same mountain on a different trail, 15 minutes My X-Pyr From top: Above the clouds Another take off Making a turnpoint All photos: Courtesy Kinga