In this video we asked pilots at the Coupe Icare, including World Champion Baptiste Lambert, to share the best advice they've ever received. They range from flying conservatively, not progressing too quickly, stopping those collapses and making sure you remember to have fun. Share yours in the comments below.
These interviews were conducted at the Coupe Icare festival in September 2026. To read more of our coverage of the Coupe Icare festival and our new gear report, head to https://xcmag.com/gear-guide/coupe-icare-2026-whats-new/
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
At Coupe Icare we asked Antoine Girard about his record 400km flight in Pakistan and what advice he would have for anyone flying in Pakistan for the first time. This is what he had to say. You can read the full account of his 400km triangle in the latest issue.
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Red Bull X-Alps expert Tom Payne breaks down 'Flight Leverage' on The Paragliding Podcast – What is it and why does it matter?
Find it here: https://xcmag.com/podcasts/red-bull-x-alps-whos-in-whos-out/
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
We fly directly towards the sun in the latest issue of Cross Country magazine – from eclipse flying to gliding tip-to-tip with a world champion. Cross Country 268 (October 2026) is out now.
Explore the issue here https://xcmag.info/XC268YT
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Tom de Dorlodot reflects on his many adventures and shares what's coming next in the sport. This is a special edition of The Paragliding Podcast with long term friend of the magazine, Tom de Dorlodot, recorded on board his yacht Wings while sailing from the Azores to La Rochelle, France in June 2026.
Tom talks about his comeback from a devastating leg injury, the work he’s been doing at Advance to develop a new paramotor brand, Elevate and his plans for the future.
The pair discuss Red Bull X-Alps, what AI is going to do for cross country, what pilots can learn from sailors and Tom’s love for going vol biv in the mountains.
Thanks for listening! Join us every 6-8 weeks as we dive into the stories inside the latest issue of Cross Country magazine.
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Is it for you? The Nearbirds Apex is a lightweight pod harness built for hike-and-fly racing and vol-bivouac adventures. Cross Country's Marcus King took it flying in the south of France to see how it feels on the ground – and in the air.
In this video we take a closer look at the materials and construction, back protection, reserve system and storage, before heading into the mountains to fly it.
The full review is on our website, available as premium content: https://xcmag.info/YTNearbirdsApex
00:00 Introduction
00:44 Materials
01:14 Back protection
01:52 Clipping in
03:12 Reserve container
04:25 Storage
05:50 In the air
Thanks for watching!
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Ten-time paragliding Acro World Cup champion Horacio Llorens nailed the eclipse that passed over Spain on 12 August 2026 when he took to the skies over Mallorca, flying a paramotor through the Sóller valley as the Moon covered the Sun during the island’s total solar eclipse.
The team included:
- Marc Marco, a photographer who previously shot Horacio Llorens and Tom de Dorlodot flying at night above the pyramids
- Allen Candela, camera operator and film-maker, responsible for the video record of the action
- Enrique Jimeno, in charge of tracking the pilot’s position in flight and of knowledge of the terrain.
- Sebastián Astorga, camera support and mountain logistics.
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Ten-time paragliding Acro World Cup champion Horacio Llorens NAILED the eclipse that passed over Spain on 12 August 2026 when he took to the skies over Mallorca, flying a paramotor through the Sóller valley as the Moon covered the Sun during the island’s total solar eclipse.
A five-person team spent more than a month preparing the shot. With photographers positioned high on the Serra d’Alfàbia, Llorens flew between the ridge and the setting Sun as totality approached.
The result: the silhouette of a paraglider crossing the narrowing Sun, framed by the Serra de Tramuntana and Mediterranean beyond.
Totality arrived at around 20:31, with the Sun just two degrees above the horizon, and lasted 1 minute 36 seconds.
The team included:
- Marc Marco, a photographer specialising in night photography and astrophotography, with two camera bodies, a telescope shooting time-lapse and custom-made solar filters for the lenses.
- Allen, camera operator and film-maker, responsible for the video record of the action.
- Kike Vent, in charge of tracking the pilot's position in flight and of knowledge of the terrain.
- Sebastián Astorga, camera support and mountain logistics.
🎥 Allen and Sebastián. Instagram: @allencandela / @sebastorg
Pilot: Horacio Llorens @acroracio
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
The Nimo is the simplest flight instrument from Naviter and features all the “essentials” – an instant vario with a bright colour screen, airspace and obstacle warnings, thermal assistant and live connectivity. What it doesn’t have is “the complexity of maps and competition options”. The Nimo Fanet+ adds Fanet, Flarm and ADS-L, helping to ensure visibility to other pilots. We got our hands on one and unboxed it.
More info at https://xcmag.info/NaviterNimoYT
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
What's behind paraglider pilot Chrigel Maurer's winning form? He shares the details of his X-Pyr win 🏆 on the podcast 🎤. Find the full episode on https://xcmag.com/podcasts
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
“They call it God’s Land…” The state of Uttarakhand in northern India is home to some of the highest and most remote mountains in the Indian Himalaya. It is an area that is rarely flown – and with good reason. A lack of paragliding infrastructure, complex valley systems, strict permit requirements and no medical assistance to speak of work together to create challenges that would send most pilots back to Bir.
When Ben Kellett and Matt Johnston headed here in early 2026 they had a clear objective: to explore the region and, if conditions allowed, to fly Nanda Devi (7,816m). An ambitious aim that would involve meticulous planning, high altitude flying and flying into areas that are rarely, if ever, explored from the air.
The thing that struck photographer and videographer Henry George was just how mentally resilient the pair are when it comes to this kind of flying. “Their ability to fly rough air over remote terrain but still make safe decisions was inspiring to see. It’s essential here, where any rescue would involve a two day wait, and any consequences amplified. Retaining that mental clarity to fly and make good decisions is essential.”
Soaring the Roof of India
Story and photography by Henry George
In Cross Country 267 (Aug/Sept 2026)
#paragliding
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Cross Country is the world’s international free flying magazine. Subscribers enjoy articles on new flying techniques, inspiring stories from across the world and deep dives into micro-meteorology, the latest equipment advances – and much more. As well as receiving eight premium quality issues, subscribers can access six Masterclass coaching sessions and discounts on merchandise, books, and flying accessories. Cross Country is a flying trip found nowhere else.
More info: https://xcmag.com
Come fly with us at the Paragliding World Cup in Gemona, Italy, July 2026. Filmed by Martin Scheel
After six tasks in the foothills of the Italian Alps Baptiste Lambert claimed victory at the first Paragliding World Cup of the season, followed by Martin Jovanoski and Roger Aeschbacher in second and third place, respectively. In the women’s ranking, Alexia Fischer dominated the field in first place, followed by Elisa Deutschmann and Violeta Jimenez in second and third.
It was a near perfect week of World Cup action. Only the first task was cancelled as rain came in. Thereafter pilots faced a series of tasks ranging from 70.25km to 102.13km, offering a mix of technical flying through mountains, along ridge lines and across the flats.
#paragliding
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More journal than magazine, Cross Country aims to keep paraglider, paramotor and hang glider pilots fuelled with inspiration and information. Founded in 1988, and read around the world, Cross Country is respected as independent and authoritative. Cross Country also publishes best-selling technique books.
Find out more at http://www.xcmag.com
