Cross Country Issue 253: November 2024
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint

Cross Country Issue 253: November 2024

21 October, 2024

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Hike-and-smile

“This never gets old!” I thought as I ran (and ran, and ran…) down the shallow summit slopes of the Dent de Crolles. Airborne a quick (but not too steep) right turn saw me just crossing the col to emerge on the “right” side of where we all wanted to be: at the top of the honey-coloured cliffs of this limestone mountain in the French Alps. Below us, the big tents and playground that is the annual Coupe Icare free-flight extravaganza.

“Fly towards the cloud” had been our photographer’s instruction, and so I did that. It is weird how exposed you can feel in one of those skinny lightweight harnesses when you haven’t been out of a pod for a while. My legs were very crossed and my knees were held very high as I skimmed the top of the wisps of cloud, my Cross Country colleagues to either side.

How can it get old, that sort of experience? It’s a once in a lifetime event for most people, if that. People you meet who don’t fly will tell you they “did a tandem jump in Turkey” and it was one of the best/worst experiences of their life. We get to do it whenever we want.

This issue we have packed all the Coupe Icare news towards the back. We toured the trade tents to find all the latest on what is new and what is coming soon. Inside the main magazine we take a deep dive into the new world of parakites – it’s like soaring, but in 4D. Get your hands on one and get to the coast!

Other highlights include an in-depth interview with Kinga Masztalerz, who marked 10 years in free flight earlier this year. An inspirational pilot for many reasons she first hit the headlines with some remarkable vol-biv and XC flying in New Zealand. She tells Tarquin Cooper how flying has completely changed her life – for the better.

Landing on the plateau close to where we were staying I turned and watched as another pilot came in close behind me. “They look very sorted,” I thought, as the pilot popped down and gave me a grin. “Joanna!” I said, surprised and pleased to see my friend and colleage Joanna Di Grigoli. “You’re here!”
“Of course I am,” she said. “I love it! I wouldn’t miss it.” As I said, it never gets old.

Enjoy the issue!

Ed Ewing, editor

Here’s what’s inside

On Launch With

The new Junior World Champion Marcelo Sanchez on learning to fly and setting Spanish records

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In-Air Hydration

What goes in must come out – we take a look at how to let it all go with the flow while flying far

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Interview with Kinga Masztalerz

“It’s all about the lines.” After a decade in the air Kinga tells us what’s next

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The Parakites are here

“Dive, swoop, climb, soar…” Bastienne Wentzel dials into the new world of parakiting

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Dolomiti Superfly 2024

François Montuori takes us inside the heart of this elite hike-and-fly race in the Italian Dolomites

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True Colours

Dimitris Kolliakos headed to Albania’s Narta Lagoon on the Adriatic coast to fly the unique Vlorë salt flats 

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Coupe Icare Gear Special

We round up what’s new and what’s coming soon at the world’s biggest free-flight fair

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My Flying Life

“The winner was whoever flew the longest and landed accurately.” Martin Jovanoski on his life in flying

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Plus

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