Winner of the 2009 Red Bull X-Alps, Chrigel Maurer, has also won the first Biotech Bordairline competition of the year, finishing ahead of Austrians Robert Heim and Martin Steinbichler.

Sol have issued a safety notice concerning the way the foam back protector has been fitted in three of their harness models. A kit is available from Sol to owners of these harnesses, that will address the problem.

Norwegian paraglider pilot James Mercer has created a video to show off his clever camera mount: the video camera is mounted in his cells, and its angle can be changed at will during the flight.

Flymaster Avionics have released two recent firmware upgrades for the B1 Nav vario / GPS unit. Versions 1.16 and 1.17 are available to download from their website.

Center of Gravity’s very popular custom-built CG-1000 hang glider harnesses are now available again after ten years out, thanks to popuar demand.

German paraglider manufacturer UP have revealed their new ‘secret weapon’ in the Open Class category: the XD70 is, they say, a “machine that oozes performance”.

Brauniger’s IQ Basic / GPS is exactly what it says on the tin – a basic vario with integrated GPS unit for paraglider and hang glider pilots, at a competitive price.

The FAI has cancelled Armand Acchione (US)’s record claim for speed over a 200 km triangle on a rigid wing hang glider, which he flew on his Aeriane Swift Light in January.

Gin’s new beginner wing the Bolero 4 is certified EN / LTF A in all five sizes, and ready to see new pilots through from their first days on the hill into regular cross country flying.

Gin Gliders have brought out a lightweight version (600g) of their fast-pack bag. It is available in silver, and has two back straps for easy carrying.

Skywalk say their Cult 3 harness is the ‘executive chair’ of paraglider seating, offering “high comfort and perfect fit”. With an ergonomic back and carbon-fibre seat board, Skywalk say the harness has lost weight (4.6 kg now, M size) and gained in comfort.

Skywalk’s EN B class paraglider, the Chili2, is now also certified in XL (105 – 130 kg), which completes the range.

Charly’s Capitan is an aerodynamic paraglider harness designed for pilots who do long cross country flights but prefer an open harness to a pod.

Icaro Paragliders’ Xandi Meschuh, of Acrobatics fame, has released this new short film called ‘In the Spring’.

The fast-pack bag from Icaro Paragliders is suitable for all solo wings, and helps pack the wing more easily, whilst preserving its ife by protecting the leading edge reinforcements and keeping them from getting crumpled.

The Turkish free-flying paradise of Oludeniz and Babadag mountain, where the 2010 Oludeniz Air Games will take place this October, have been getting ready to host the autumn’s big event.

Gradient’s Golden3 intermediate paraglider has now been certified EN / LTF B in the XS size, 22 m2.

Following two years’ hard work from Felix Rodriguez and the Ozone team, the latest professional acro paraglider for experienced and competition acro pilots, the FLX.3, is now in production.

Christian Holler’s ‘The Path of the Condor’ film is to be aired on the Discovery Networks’ Animal Planet channel in the Asia-Pacific area, starting July 2010.

Sky Gods for Hire in Cross Country issue 129 argued that flying guides could help hang glider and paraglider pilots skip weeks of do-it-yourself learning. But it also argued you want a sky god for a guide, not a cowboy and asked “Is it time for an internationally recognised standard for fly-guides?”