Andy Pag reports from the Bornes to Fly, a three-day hike-and-fly race around Annecy
Martin Muller (CH) took a close victory at the weekend in the Bornes To Fly three-day hike-and-fly race around Lake Annecy, narrowly stealing first place from fellow Red Bull X-Alps competitor Victor Sebe.
Martin Muller cross the line. Video: Antoine Thery
The two swapped pole position repeatedly over the 102km task, which due to poor weather conditions put a lot of the racing on the ground, but still left room for tactics to make the difference. The race was run over the weekend of 18-20 May.
Muller was the only one of 60 competitors that managed to tag a single turn-point from the air. He reached Mont Lachat (TP3) with some patient flying in weak but turbulent lift, putting him in the unenviable position of having to land in brutal conditions below the Col Des Aravis. On foot, Sebe was able to keep up the assault.
“I didn’t expect Victor to be so strong.” said Muller after the race, “He’s frightening. Very strong.” After three days racing they finished just an hour apart.
Speaking the next day Sebe said it had been an excellent lesson which will shape the final seven weeks of training for his first Red Bull X-Alps, and had given him important insights into how he’ll work with his support team.
Third place went to Guillaume Kajpr and Loren Le Car flying tandem on an 38m Gradient BiGolden. Local Orlane Sturbois was the top placed woman, provisionally ranked 13th.
One of the competitors takes off. Video: Antoine Thery
The annual event is open to club-flyers as well as top athletes, offering novices a taste of competitive hike-and-fly, and allowing them to rub shoulders (and blister cream) with the big names.
This year it drew pilots from all over France, as well as Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and the UK, including your correspondent, who was very happy to place 30th.
Organisation’s YouTube page: lots of video interviews
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