NEWS

23/05/2015

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SAD NEWS

Daredevil Dean Potter, 43, tragically killed in wingsuit swoop

On Saturday evening, May 16, BASE jumpers Dean Potter and Graham Hunt died after attempting a wing suit flight from Taft Point, a 7,500-foot promontory that overlooks Yosemite Valley and El Capitan.

One of the world’s most accomplished alpinists, Dean Potter, nicknamed the “Dark Wizard”, dies tragically on Saturday 16th May together with climbing partner Graham Hunt, 29.

The pair were seen to have jumped 7,500ft from Taft Point, California, overlooking Yosemite Valley and El Capitan, in an attempt to escape park rangers. Help was called after contact with them was lost. Both bodies were found on Sunday by Search and Rescue; their reserve parachutes had not been deployed.

Potter, acclaimed for his hair-raising “free”-solo climbing and daredevil BASE jumping sometimes with his dog, Whisper, moved to BASE jumping in 2002 when, whilst climbing, was hit by a falling rock which considerably slowed his descent. In 2008 Potter started free-BASE jumping by climbing the Deep Blue Sea route up the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland and later setting a world record from there in 2009 for the longest swoop made by a wingsuiter; 2 minutes 50 seconds over a four mile descent. A free line-walker and climber having solo’d routes in China, Utah and Pantagonia, amongst an admirable list too long to mention, Potter was also an inspiration for film and music makers, and featured in Valley Uprising in 2014.

“Go towards your fears” was his way. Our condolences go to his family, friends and to the community. He will be greatly missed.

see artilce THE INDEPENDANT

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17/02/2015

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COMPETITION (FRANCE)

Congratulations to Maxime Bellemin who wins the Bornes to Fly

Congratulations to Maxime Bellemin who wins the Bornes to Fly 2015 solo, and to Guillaume Kajrp and Lorène Lecar for their first place in the tandem event. The competition took pace from the 15-17th May beneath grey skies: rain, snow and a low cloud base did not play in anyone’s favour for this year’s three-day hike and fly race through the Bauges and Haute Savoie regions of France. Nevertheless, sixty teams took to the start line to to arrive at the finish line in Talloires, beside Lake Annecy.

The winner, Maxime Bellemin was interviewed, which can be seen here :

For our english speaking readers, maxime said he was able to gain some advantage on the second day by using an East face take off, but the final 36kilometres were completed on foot to arrive over the finish line in Talloires. When asked if he would come back to defend his title next years, a wry smile and neither a “yes” or “no”!

The provisionary results can be found here

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19/05/2015

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NEWS GEAR

Gin’s GTO 2, used for this year’s XAlps, certified in the XS size

Gin’s new wing, the GTO2, used for this year’s XAlps, has been certified in the XS size, which makes it ideal for cross-country pilots with a lighter physique. The glider includes some innovative standard features such as soft shakles connectors to the lines, reducing the weight even more. In addition, special ightweight Dyneema risers are also available as an option.

– see article on web site GIN

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18/05/2015

NEW

SUP’AIR / News

A “Strike” for SUP’AIR with their new X-Alps harness

After several months of development and extensive testing, SUP’AIR is proud to present their new 2015 XAlps harness to this year’s pilots.

Five pilots, Clément Latour, Gaspard Petiot, Tom de Dorlodot, Erik Rehnfeldt et Gavin McCLurg, will all fly with the new SUIP’AIR Strike XAlps. By using dynema for the straps the harness weighs only 1.2kg and used in conjunction with the Trek X-Alps backpack, both will weighs only 1.540kg in total!

Clément Latour, ROCK THE OUTDOOR’s sponsored pilots will be using the equipment for the race and will no doubt be giving us give us his first impressions soon.

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18/05/2015

SECURITY NOTICE

SUP’AIR

Sup’AIR issues security notice on extraction handles

It has been brought to attention that on the Walibi2 and Evasion2 harnesses from Sup’Air, there may be a problem with the reserve handle. Depending on the direction in which the handle is pulled to extract the reserve perachute, the handle can in some circumstances be hard to release from the velcro housing. Sup’Air say that this could prevent the reserve parachute being extacted correctly.
If you have one of these paragliding harnesses and are in any doubt about the above, please make contact with your local dealer.

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09/05/2015

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PODCAST

Cloudbase Mayhem’s Gavin McClurg talks with Bill Belcourt

Gavin McClurg, known for his film “500 Miles to Nowhere” and more recently his entry into the Red Bull XAlps 2015, launches the inaugural Cloubase Mayhem podcasts. In this first podcase, he talks to American Bill Belcourt, paragliding legend and Director of Research and Dvelopment at Black Diamond, about the history of the sport, flying big lines and modern glider develoment. Cloudbase Mayem is a podcast channel dedicated to all things free flight: http://www.cloudbasemayhem.com

Film 500 Miles to Nowhere with Nate Scales, Nick Greece, Matt Beechinor et Gavin McClurg: https://vimeo.com/104930744

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30/04/2015

HUMANITAIRE

Jamie et Isabella interviennent au Népal et attendent notre soutien

Around the world people are urged to open their hearts and wallets to donate what they can to local charities, in aid of the Nepal earthquake victims.
Paragliding pilots Jamie and Isabella Messenger who are local to Pokhora and are assisting onsite with the supporting charity Karma Flights.org.  All those involved are urging fellow pilots to donate what they can to one of the local supporting charities.
Part of the Cloudbase Foundation, Karma Flights is a charity who’s focus is to bring aid, support and opportunities to local communities where pilots come and fly.
In a recent report American TV channel CNN outlined that because of its use of 4×4 vehicles for transporting paragliding pilots, it was the only initial ground assistance to have been able to traverse the trecherous roads to reach the stranded mountain village people, in desperate need of medical attention.

Days after the earthquake, Karma Flights are working round the clock in the worst hit areas.
“As you give, so shall you received”, is the law of Karma.

Please help them and donate

Monique van Veen, Sven Konietzko and Isabell Hühnel at KarmaFlights

source photos : Facebook Karmaflights
 

22/04/2015

WORLD RECORD

New World record for the Green brothers – Green for “GO”!

source photo : CloudBase productions

source photo : CloudBase productions

Pierre-Emilio Medina, Tim Green, Anthony Green et Eliot Nochez

International twin acro stars Anthony and Tim Green, have just smashed the tandem paramotor world record (5088m) in Chamonix this afternoon!

Rock the Outdoor will be speaking shortly to the brothers about how the day panned out.  In the meantime, the tracklog and official data is no doubt being sent to the FAI for ratification as you read.  The local press in Chamonix are all eager for a story and gather for interviews and photographs of the brothers!

Huge congratulations to Tim and Anthony for their new world record.

read about their project

 
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17/04/2015

NEW GEAR

NIVIUK / News

NIVIUK Artik P – The “Adventurer”

Niviuk introduce the “P Series”; “P” being the optimum letter in the case of “plume” or lightweight/featherweight paragliders. With an introduction into this category earlier this year with the Skin Plume, now the Artik Plume, both gliders incorporating lighter versions of the standard risers, fabric and line layout.

[reveal title="Read more" open="false" color="grey-lite"]Nivuk’s latest edition, the Artik P, draws on all the legendary characteristics of the original Artik design, and isnow available in a lightweight version that incorporates the best of all the hike and fly elements pilots in this category are seeking, in order to get a taste of adventure without the compromise on weight. Niviuk claims its easy handling characteristics make this glider an absolute dream, compliant in nil-wind launches and incorporating the passive safety element, the Artik P is as ready to be discovered as the pilot who is looking to fly it.

Available in four sizes and two colour schemes: 21, 23, 25 and 27 Navy and Lichi

More at Niviuk: http://www.niviuk.com/product.asp?prod=JNMOPMG0[/reveal]

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11/10/2015

COMPETITION

Monte Grappa 2015 interviews : Ulrich Prinz and Juan-Sebastian OSPINA

Ulrich Prinz, one of Germany’s Team pilots, currently ranked 4th in the World, has won the Monte Grappa Trophy at the start of Europe’s competition season. Ulrich commented on his facebook page that any of the pilots in the top 12 positions could have walked away with the first prize podium, and only a few points ahead, Jurij vidic, SLO (2nd) and Charles Cazaux, FRA (3rd) were close on his heals during the three great task days of the competition.

Having won the trophy on two previous occasions in 2008 and 2009, Ulrich’s clear enthusiasm and enjoyment of this great competition, the interesting tasks and delicious food, will no doubt see him returning to defend his title next year.

We were able to ask Ulrich a few questions after the competition.

Congratulations on your win. How does it feel being on that Number 1 podium spot again this year?

I am very happy to have won this nice competition again! I usually fly conservatively in comps to secure good overall WPRS points. Aiming for the podium in a single comp often means risking landing before the goal line which sets you way back in the overall results and leaves you with no relevant WPRS points at all. That’s not a problem if you’re a pilot who flies 10 comps a year and can ‘discard’ some, but I only fly around 4-5 comps a year now, so ideally I need a reliable Top-10 result in every competition.
The Trofeo Montegrappa is a little different though: I like the great organisation, the interesting terrain and tasks there and of course the yummy food! So I am usually in a happy mood and motivated to “go for it” which helped me win it again, for the 3rd time now, after 2008 and 2009.

Had you managed to do much training between the Worlds and the the Monte Grappa Trophy?

Unfortunately not, as the weather conditions at home were not very good soI had only a few very short flights. “Real” training for competitions can only be done at competitions anyway, so all the pilots who were at the World’s in Colombia were well prepared for this event.

How were the flying conditions during the competition ?

There was a strong North wind at higher altitudes. This brought both Turbulences and cold air to the region, but the flying was still safe enough. The strong thermals resulted in “Fast and Furious Flying”, as Luc Armant dubbed it.

This event is well known for the gathering of some of the greatest pilots in paragliding. Did you feel that the level of piloting skill this year differed to previous years?

I believe the level is similar to the previous years. We will see the exact value in the ‘pq’ rating of the WPRS ranking next month.

This will give you some great points to kick start your European competition season. What does your calendar look like and where are you headed next?

I have reduced my event calendar to 4-5 competitions per year, so I will probably only go to 2 World Cup events and a National Cat 2 competition. The XC-season starts in the Northern Alps now, and I will do some Cross Country flying just for fun – with no comps in mind, either online or offline! 😉

Thank you, Ulrich.
Rock The Outdoor wishes you the best of luck with the rest of your competitions this season, and great conditions for some leisure flying too.

Juan-Sebastian OSPINA, UK pilot

Congratulations on your 15th position. How does it feel being in the Top 20 ?

Considering that the pilot quality is very high, it feels really good to be amongst the top pilots, but also knowing that there is room for improvement.

What wing were you flying and how did it perform in the conditions?

I flew an Enzo 2 (M) during this competition. The conditions were really challenging with strong thermals, strong winds and a lot of turbulence. I was very pleased with the way my glider performed against the wind and rough air. It is still a very competitive glider, if not the best for this kind of conditions. Still, it requires a lot of input and concentration to keep it together.

Had you managed to do much training between the Worlds and the the Monte Grappa Trophy?

The only serious flying I did after the World’s was the Colombian Open just after the event, in which we flew for 6 consecutive days. After that I have mostly been flying tandem.

The Monte Grappa Trophy has a reputation for rain. How were the flying conditions during the competition ?

The two first days we had great thermal quality but also some wind. The third and fourth day was cancelled because of over development in the afternoon but many of us still managed to freefly. The last day was very good and sunny for most of the task. Personally, I flew every day and was amazed at the thermal quality, even with no sun. I will try to come back again next year for the Trofeo for sure!

This event is well known for the gathering of some of the greatest pilots in paragliding and marks the start of the European flying season. What did you think of the overall pilot level?

It was pretty much like flying any European World Cup and has to the highest level non World Cup/CAT1 event I have ever been to ; thanks to their selection process which is purely based on the WPRS ranking.

This will give you some great points to kick start your European competition season. What does your calendar look like and where are you headed out to next?

My next comp will be the PWC in Spain, then the PWC India and hopefully the Superfinal in Mexico too.

Many thanks Juan-Sebastian. Rock The Outdoor wishes you a great season ahead, best of luck !