United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) News
Free Flight Pilots Represent the U.S. in World Competition
2017 brings three World competitions for free-flight: the 21st FAI World Hang Gliding Championship, the 15th FAI World Paragliding Championship, and the eight edition of the Red Bull X-Alps.
Red Bull X-Alps 2017: July 2-13, 2017 starting in Salzburg, Austria
Three American teams are participating in what is widely considered the world’s toughest adventure race. The athletes must cross the Alps, traversing specific points along the way, resulting in a straight-line distance of over 1,000 km (620 miles) – solely on foot or by paraglider. Typically fewer than two-thirds of the competitors finish before the cut-off time. This year the US is represented by:
Team USA1, Gavin McClurg. In 2015 Gavin came in 8th in his first Red Bull X-Alps race and was the first American to reach the finish in Monaco.
Team USA2, Jesse Williams. Participating in his third Red Bull X-Alps race, Jesse was Honza Rejmanek’s supporter in the past, but this year he’s the official Red Bull X-Alps athlete on his team.
Team USA3, Mitch Riley. One of only two wild-card entrants, Mitch is new to the Red Bull X-Alps, but has been US National Champion multiple times in the past.
The team is fundraising to help defray the costs of participating. Learn how you can help.
More information about the Red Bull X-Alps, including live tracking during the race, is available online.
15th FAI World Paragliding Championship: July 1-15 in Monte Avena, Italy
This year, the US Paragliding Team consists of perennial participant Josh Cosh, along with top competitors Andy Macrae and Jared Anderson. They are representing the US against the best paragliding pilots from around the globe.
The team is fundraising to help defray the costs of participating. Learn more about the team and how you can help.
For more information about the World Paragliding Championship and to follow the event live online.
21st FAI World Hang Gliding Championship: August 6-19 in Brasilia, Brazil
This year the US Hang Gliding Team will include the top US competitors, including Zac Majors. They are representing the US against the best hang gliding pilots from around the globe.
American remake of the French film, Intouchables
Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, and Nicole Kidman will bring paragliding to US audiences in the remake of the comedy-drama;The Intouchables. The movie, currently in production and titled Untouchable, is based on the true story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic man and his caregiver. Scenes of the main characters paragliding were recently filmed at Woodrat Mountain, in Southern Oregon. Bryan Cranston chose to fly (rather than use a stunt double) and was awarded an Honorary Pilot Certificate from the US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association.
For those who can’t wait for the remake, here is a preview for the highly acclaimed original film.
