The start of the Red Bull X-Alps 2009 is now less than four months away, and the athletes are fully absorbed in their various training regimes. Dependent upon where they live, they have been cross country skiing, running , walking and flying hard in preparation for the gruelling race, in addition to preparing all the maps and other equipment that they will need. The ‘athletes’ pages of the www.redbullxalps.com website now have online diaries for each participant, plus a guestbook where you can leave them words of encouragement. You can also follow in technical detail the training progress of the four Suunto-sponsored athletes, at http://suuntoatxalps.blogspot.com/ You can also keep up to date via Twitter or facebook.

Rolex has become the main sponsor of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation that governs all forms of sporting aviation including ballooning, gliding, aerobatics and model aircraft flying. Rolex will help the FAI to develop these activities, and will be associated in particular with the prestigious distinctions awarded by FAI. Previous winners of FAI gold medals include household names such as Lindbergh, Mermoz, Tupolev, Gagarin, and recent multiple FAI world record-holder Steve Fossett. The FAI President, Pierre Portmann, said: “We are delighted to be associated with the world’s greatest name in time-keeping. Timing and precision play a crucial role in aviation. Rolex is the ideal partner for us.”

www.fai.org

Sol have created a classic glider bag, complete with back padding and carry harness, that can be turned inside-out to reveal a quick-pack bag – just bundle your glider into it and draw it closed to get your glider out of an impending shower, or into a waiting car, in record time.

www.solsports.com.br

Nova, along with their partner Charly Produkte, have created a new flying suit, the Expert. With a technical cut it is made from 3 layer windproof, water resistant and highly breathable fabric. A micro fleece collar avoids that scratchy feeling on the chin while lycra cuffs keep draughts out at the sleeves. There is even a clear window fitted so that you can see your watch whenever you like, draught-proofing intact!

The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, as they say, and Charly Produkte have just received orders for these suits to outfit a rescue helicopter crew.

www.charly-produkte.de

Moyes Litespeed pilot, Giovanni Vitola, came out top in his country’s national hang gliding championships, which comprised 4 tasks ranging from 19 to 45.5 km. The event took place at Roldanillo, Colombia, and finished on 23 March. Hermann Rojas (Wills Wing T2) was second placed, and Rolando Mancilla (Wills Wing U2) third.

http://sites.google.com/site/guatemalaopenhg/Home

Gradient’s Aspen 3 has landed after a long period of development.

The team have finished fine tuning its new sport class ‘climbing machine’, and with its stability at high speeds and reduced weight over the Aspen 2, Gradient feel it will meet the needs of ambitious XC-pilots.

The Aspen3 is available in five sizes and has achieved EN C certification.

www.gradient.cx

French acro and speed riding star Cyril Planton is joining the R&D team at 4Speed. He will help in the development of what will hopefully be competitive speed riding wings of the future.

As the season draws to a close, the company’s ex demo wings are now being sold at knock-down (30 to 50 % off) prices. Email info@4speed.fr if you are interested.

The 2nd Speed riding Cup and first French speed riding Championship takes place at Samoëns from 3 – 5 April 2009. France’s best speed riders will be battling it out for the title of French Champion, (there are 50 places available) but if you are not yet in the running for that, you are invited to just go and enjoy the show, or to test speed flying equipment that will be available on their training slopes for those who are trained to use it. The prizegiving ceremony at Plateau des Saix on the Sunday will be accompanied by a concert and a wingsuit flying display.

http://parapente.ffvl.fr/championnat-france-speed-riding-2009

Buzet, Croatia, is preparing itself for more paragliding competition action this summer, as the PWC event will now be followed by the FAI cat. II Croatian Open, on 19 – 26 July.

Manilla’s Godfrey Wennes will be meet-director. The entry fee of 120 Euros (if paid before 1 June or 150 thereafter) includes transport to launch, retrieves, turnpoint map, packed lunch and T-shirt. Pilots from nine different nations have already registered – to join them, reserve your place online now at www.pjk-zagreb.hr

Want to step up your game this season? Axis UK team pilot Mark Watts and ex-British champion Hugh Miller will be running an XC clinic for UK pilots this spring, with seminars, air-to-air coaching and free retrieves. The tream invite participants to work on their thermalling technique and improve XC tactics in the very best environment. They’ll provide transport to the best sites in the UK, seminars on advanced thermalling and XC skills, gaggle flying and guidance, and retrieves back to base (with home made cakes!) Above all they aim to show you how to get going over the back consistently, and help you get the most out of each flying day.

Mark is a member of the British team and has flown more 100 km+ flights than any other pilot in the UK, both he and Hugh have several weeks’ guiding and coaching experience, and together they have flown several of the UK’s classic routes.

For more information contact the team via: http://axispara.co.uk/contact.php