Rémi Bourdelle dies in accident during Dolomiti Super Fly

The Dolomiti Super Fly 2026 hike-and-fly race was cancelled on Tuesday 25 August following a fatal accident involving the French pilot Rémi Bourdelle.

Rémi, 34, died after hitting a cable in flight at 7.10pm local time, just 50 minutes before the mandatory rest period began.

The accident happened shortly after he had taken off on the Italian side of the Timmelsjoch / Passo Rombo while on his way back south to the Dolomites region. This is a popular crossing point of the main chain of the Alps south of the Austrian town of Sölden that pilots had used on both the outward and return legs of the north-south race course.

Fellow competitors were numb with shock as the news was announced on a race Telegram channel at 8.40pm.

Race organisers issued a statement on the morning of Wednesday 26 August which reads in full: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Rémi Bourdelle, French paragliding athlete, following a fatal accident during Dolomiti Superfly on the evening of August 25.
 
“The accident occurred shortly after 7.10pm near the Timmelsbrücke, close to Passo Rombo, in the municipality of Moso in Passiria, at approximately 2,000m. According to initial findings, Rémi’s paraglider collided with the cable of a hay transport cableway during flight, causing him to fall approximately 60 metres. The alarm was raised by a hunter who witnessed the accident from the opposite slope.

“Emergency services, including the rescue helicopter, Alpine Rescue teams, and the Guardia di Finanza, responded immediately, but Rémi’s injuries proved fatal.
 
“In light of this tragedy, we made the decision to cancel the remainder of the event out of respect for Rémi and his loved ones.
 
“Rémi was one of the most respected and admired pilots in the international paragliding community. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.
 
“The exact circumstances of the accident remain under investigation by the competent authorities.”

Under Italian law the accident will be investigated by the police.

The Dolomiti Super Fly is a week-long high level hike-and-fly adventure race through the Italian Dolomites. This year the course was 520km long. Forty pilots were on the start line, including high profile Red Bull X-Alps pilots like Chrigel Maurer, Aaron Durogati, Patrick von Känel, Lars Meerstetter and Simon Oberrauner.

Rémi was a popular and highly experienced pilot, and a key figure in the Chamonix scene where he lived. He worked as a school teacher and as a pilot was sponsored by the town. Earlier this year he broke the site record for Chamonix, flying a 314km FAI triangle.

In recent years he had competed in all the major international adventure hike-and-fly races, including the X-Pyr, Dolomiti Super Fly and the Bornes to Fly. In 2024 he won the Eiger Tour Winter edition. He was flying an Ozone Zeolite 2 (EN-D) in this year’s Dolomiti Super Fly.

Rémi also competed in last year’s Red Bull X-Alps for the first time, coming sixth. The previous edition he supported the Japanese pilot Emoto Yuji.

In a social media post on Instagram eight-time X-Alps champion Chrigel Maurer shared his thoughts, saying the accident left him “deeply saddened”.

He wrote: “We shared the same passion for flying and hiking at these hike-and-fly competitions, most recently during the past three days at the Dolomiti Super Fly. It is deeply painful to realise that we will no longer be able to share these moments.

“We are exposed to many dangers in the mountains. Cables and ropes are a significant risk, and even the best safety equipment can never provide complete protections. This was a tragic accident that could have happened to anyone – and I am very aware of that. Stay safe.”

He added: “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Born in Chamonix, France, Rémi spent much of his youth growing up in La Réunion, the French island in the middle of the Indian ocean. It was while there and still at school that he was introduced to paragliding at the age of 12. He was hooked straight away. He was also an accomplished mountaineer and climber.

Rémi loved competing in hike-and-fly races and exploring new lines to go distance. Only a few days ago he shared his excitement about entering the next edition of Red Bull X-Alps and his hopes to make another big 300km triangle from Chamonix.

It is the first time a pilot has died in one of the major international hike-and-fly races. Last year a 57-year-old pilot died on the Breithorn during the Fly Challenge Swiss Alps 2025.

Rémi was supported by his brother Adrien in the Dolomiti Super Fly.

We extend our deepest condolences to Rémi’s family and all his many friends in the community and beyond.

Tarquin Cooper is taking part in the Dolomiti Super Fly as a supporter to the British pilot Idris Birch