Why did you choose the X-Pyr?
Long hike and fly races are unique in the amount of challenge, adventure and camaraderie that you can have. The X-Pyr is sure to bring all of that together.

What is your greatest sporting success?
Setting the New Mexico state paragliding record that had stood for 20 years.

When and why did you start paragliding?
I’m 3rd generation of free flight. My grandfather, father and uncles flew balloons and hang-gliders. It’s in our DNA to chase the air.

What is your mountaineering experience?
I work and play in the mountains nearly every day. My winters are ski touring, ice-climbing and working in the mountains. Summers are trail running, scrambling up big peaks in the Western US and as much hike and fly as I can get.

What are your best and worst sporting memories?
Two best sporting memories were landing after setting the state record with one of my best friends waiting with a cold beer and hiking up to the finish in Monaco in the 2015 X-Alps. Worst as crashing in 2018 and breaking my back.

Have you flown in the Pyrenees before? Do you have a favourite area?
No

Is there anything you like to see (or not) in the route?
Enough turn points to be interesting but not too many such that there is no creativity.

Apart from flying far and walking little, what will your strategy be during the race?
Race my own race. Know my strengths and limitations and do my best to make the most of those.

What does your typical training week consist of?
5-6 days of ski touring, trail running or hike and fly and three to four 30 minute sessions in the gym.

What has been the hardest part of your race preparation so far?
Race prep is easy and fun! The rest of life is the hard part!

What excites you most about participating in the X-Pyr?
Racing with my team.

What worries you the most about the event?
Wind

How do you know your assistant?
He’s one of my best friends and I supported him through 4 X-Alps.

What are your assistant’s main strengths?
Understanding hike and fly racing, good air strategy and aggressiveness.

What advice would you ask of the race veterans?
How to make the most of the first day?

Anything else you like to comment?
I feel grateful to have been selected and can’t wait to hit the start line.