Cross Country

Cross Country is the world’s leading voice for hang gliding, paragliding and paramotoring pilots. Ten times a year, our magazine content reflects our obsession with flying, and we express it by packing each issue with the most imaginative, inspirational photography and writing we can lay our hands on.

GO ANYWHERE GEAR

CONTRIBUTORS

Cross Country

OPENING SHOT

IN THE CORE • People, news and insight from around the free-flying world

WHAT’S ON

‘DREAM CONDITIONS’ SEE THE ALPS GO BIG

‘DO MORE OF WHAT YOU LOVE!’

‘IT’S OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD HARD’ • Breaking down the route of this year’s figure-of-eight Red Bull X-Alps with Tom Payne

WHAT’S IN THE (X-ALPS) BAG? • Who’s flying what in this year’s Red Bull X-Alps? Marcus King found out

ON LAUNCH WITH KANAN THAKUR AND JOSH SANDERSON

CIVL BRIEFS

UPDATES FROM CIVL

WHAT HAPPENED TO WITOLD? • Witold Gilarski vanished while paragliding in Colombia in March. Tarquin Cooper rounds up what happened next

COMP HARNESS RULES

BACK IN THE DAY

FLYING IQ • Helping you fly better with expert advice and know-how

WHAT ARE ‘DRAG NOODLES’?

HOW TO: USE TECH TO PLAN YOUR XC • There are so many apps and websites that can help your flying – Greg Hamerton explains where to start

PERFECTING YOUR TAKE-OFF

FLYING UNPLUGGED

SATELLITE EYE • Looking down on our ever-changing Earth

IN THE GRIP OF ALFRED

THE STREIF

TOP OF THE STACK • Maxime Pinot is riding high. No other pilot has simultaneously worn the European, World and Superfinal crowns but, he tells Tarquin Cooper, he goes into this year’s Red Bull X-Alps still haunted by what happened in 2023

Caught in a bubble Algo • With its slower pace of life and year-round sunshine the village of Algodonales in Andalucia, Spain has long attracted pilots from northern Europe, with many making it their permanent home. Will Appleyard is one of them.

OVER THE TOP • A meditation on the pursuit of perfection. Words and photos by Andreas Busslinger

WHAT IF…? • What would you do if you smashed yourself up in a crash? Would you start paragliding as quickly as you could? Would you give up? Or would you come back cautiously and hesitantly? Andrew Craig decided to face this question head on and went looking for an answer

THROWDOWN IN PERU • Paracas is home to amazing landscapes, endless winds and mouth-watering food. Local pilot Alex Schweig shows us the way.

KITLIST • All the latest reviews, gear and technology for free flying

KITLIST

DESIGN INSIGHT: DELTA 5 • Dav Dagault explains how they made Ozone’s new accessible EN-C a “pure two-liner”.

INSIGHT: LIVE TRACKING • The live tracking system for the Red Bull X-Alps works on a mesh system and promises better coverage than ever. Bastienne Wentzel takes a look

UNDERSTANDING MESH NETWORKS

Fly better with Cross Country Masterclasses

CHRISTIAN BEHRENZ • The Lake Atitlan tandem pilot on what matters most