Michael Kuffer. Photo: James Pagram
Before the Paragliding World Championships started in Roldanillo we interviewed a few of the pilots in a bid to get to know them better. We’ll be running a few of those interviews here on XCmag.com during the competition.
Here we catch up with Swiss pilot Michael Küffer, 25.
Got a job? Student Business Administration and tandem pilot
Got a sponsor? GIN Gliders
Where are you online: Swissleague.ch
Equipment
Wing: GIN Boomerang 10
Harness: GIN Genie Race 3
Technology: Flytec 6030 and Android Tablet
When did you start flying: Nine years ago, 2006. My father’s been a pilot since the 80s, I started in Switzerland at Hausi Bollinger’s school
First comp? Junior Challenge 2009 in Interlaken. Second place.
Achievements
2014
4th PWC Mexico
2nd Pre-PWC Disentis
6th European Championship Serbia (1st nation)
2013
13th PWC France
12th Superfinal Brazil (without the Enzos…)
2012
6th PWC Macedonia
3rd Swiss Open / PG Swiss Championship
3rd Swiss League Cup
1st Swiss Cup Brigels
2011
2 times >200km in the Jurassic mountains (record flights)
2nd Swiss Cup Salève
4th British Open St. Jean
6th Swiss Cup Overall
2010
British Open St. André: 1st. Sport Class & 2nd. Serial Class
2009
JLC
Personal best?
213km out and return in Jurassic mountains in (at home) in 2011, regional record.
148km out and return in Roldanillo in 2012, then Colombian record in out and return.
Best moments in flying?
Being at almost 6,000m above volcano de Toluca in Mexico. And crossing of the Swiss flat part from Jurassic mountains to the Alps.
Low point?
Accident at the PWC in Sun Valley in 2012, stretched ligaments. Too much wind for landing on a mountain pass.
Who’s going to win Roldanillo 2015?
Overall: Chrigel, Reina, some French guy, who knows? So many favourites…
Nation: Switzerland!
Describe yourself in 10 words or less…
A young and motivated pilot who sometimes thinks too much.
And how do you think your friends would describe you as a pilot?
Well-reasoned but a little crazy.
Have you flown Roldanillo before?
Yes, twice! In autumn 2012 and at the Superfinal in 2013. I love it! Constant nice thermals, incredible people, nice infrastructure, rich life in the city and an incredible commitment from locals! The only thing I don’t like that much is the heat (I’m Swiss!).
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