Speedflying Mannlichen, Switzerland // Following Jeff Katz

[@omaco234]

Epic Flight, do you have to watch out for the turbulences (vortexes) the wing infront of you generates? Or isn't this an issue due to the high speeds and high wing pressure?

[@_albalex]

Hi, that's a good question. There is definitely a turbulence wave behind the leading wing. Most of the time I'm trying to be a bit higher/lower/on other side of a gulley from leading pilot - it helps to avoid vortexes. Being higher also helps to have a safer margin if I hit a wave and have more sink as well as easier not to make to much attention to proximity flying terrain. Like if I would go on my own, I would be closer to the ground with less stress. And finally if I'm hitting the wave which happens some time, I would use my active piloting skills to stabilise the wing. Paragliding XC skills are definitely doing a great job here.

[@2mooseman]

Sick run, this whole area is gorgeous!! Can I ask, when you're doing these rolls are you ever thinking, "Oh shit, that was kinda close", or do you feel so in control of the wing after so long flying that you can tell how much altitude you'll drop? Anyway, keep it up and safe flying!

[@_albalex]

Hey mate! If you practice deep spirals and a lot of variations of different rolls they are as much in control as the regular turn could be. It's not a trick rather than a manoeuvre which allows you do decrease altitude and stay close to terrain intentionally. So it's never a guessing (at least shouldn't be for anyone who doesn't wanna die to fast). So practice makes perfect. If you do it right you can perform the spiral/roll which will exactly follow your line of sight and trajectory you want it to go. Cheers and thanks for question. It's was a good one!

[@Sethgolas]

@@_albalex I notice you staying close but you aren't doing the kind of proximity maneuvers where a slight misjudgement of energy or altitude will smash you on a rock. I haven't tried a speedwing yet, but your maneuvers seemed like they had a pretty good balance of control and fun.

[@_albalex]

@@Sethgolas Thanks mate, I definitely enjoy my progression,but it's not always smooth! Actually when it seems very low with other pilots most of the times there is good margin of safety corresponding their level. I would say that lack of control is more often seen in hectic movement of the arms. Usually more smooth it looks, more controlled is actually there

[@DomesticDave]

Sorry guys but I think parts of your brains works differently to mine. 😜 I wish I could switch off my fire-wall sometimes though. Great ride and super Video. 👋👋👋👋👋

[@_albalex]

For some people firewall is the only life saving device 😉 good to always know your limits buddy ☺️

[@Patrick_cb]

Wow . That looks dangerous but at the same time fun

[@_albalex]

It is if you play it safe and keep necessary margins :)

[@crimsonraen]

Dang, that looks like such a blast!

[@_albalex]

Thanks mate!

[@XC_Tom]

Such a nice duo!!! this hits (for my own taste) the fine line of relaxed proximity without feeling uneasy. makes me consider speedflying way more than the ultra low runs

[@_albalex]

Sounds great buddy. As for me - it should feel easy! Sometimes close proxy is not much more difficult (easier than it looks) when your level of piloting allows

[@XC_Tom]

@@_albalex yeah, it's kind of difficult (for me who doesn't speedfly almost impossible) to estimate by the videos how much lift/energy is left to get away from the ground at any time. I saw a crazy run of Joey Innes lately and that was a bit too much for me. But I'm interested if you'd call that run also "safely manageable" given his/the adequate skill level

[@AlexeySlepov]

Impressive content, thanks! But what was that orange thing on the ground between 1:11 to 1:17 of the video?

[@AzazelezazA]

His previous life before restarting from a checkpoint.

[@PeterListov]

@@AzazelezazAactually looks like someone’s wing 😮

[@_albalex]

Ahahah, that's some kind of mattress or something similar. We've been wondering how the hell it got there. Still no idea

[@Stardustnib]

Wonder if it's one of those mats they put on poles and pylons on ski runs? Came undone in the wind and under up there in the stream?

[@PeterListov]

@@Stardustnib Or it is just a bouldering spot. And climbers did not bother to move the mats.

[@MatteoGattini-c7k]

Hey dude, i've been flying a rapidos 8 and trying to understand what the difference is. Was about to order a R3 but then this came out and still haven't been able to fly one. Any info would be greatly appreciated

[@_albalex]

Afaik R3 is not that much different from R2. Just other lines and lighter fabric. R3X is more of everything: shorter lines, even lighter fabric, lighter risers. It's a perfect hike and fly and advanced machine. But it's not durable.

[@MatteoGattini-c7k]

@@_albalex okay thanks man!. I've had the dos for three seasons now and I can tell she is a little tired, so I need to get something new. Guess I will just have to wait to demo the R3X to see. 99% of my flights are at kronplatz (grass t/o) so not sure if you are saying it's not durable against being handled rough or if you mean it just wears out faster from just being flown

[@_albalex]

@@MatteoGattini-c7k well both actually. Easier to get a hole and less resource. Btw I plan to be at Kronplatz 7-9 of August, would be cool to have some flights 😎

[@MatteoGattini-c7k]

@@_albalex oh okay. Sweet man, i'll be here, looking forward to it :)

[@alexanderseidl9102]

You guys are awesome! How long have you been flying?

[@_albalex]

Hey buddy, just discovered your comment. I'm flying for 3 years now, Jeff for good 10 or more.

[@goodpools]

1:20 perfect entry into that wow

[@gemetter5214]

I am "only" paragliding right now, but soon I will start downsizing my wings till I can fly lines like that. One thing i am thinking about is the wind situation of this flight: you are starting something S-SW i guess (depends on the daytime you started ;) ) and are flying to the north. was there no wind on that day or did you feel the lee when you got to the other face?

[@_albalex]

This take-off is mostly W-SW, and as far as I remember there were some thermals already. North side stays in shadow for a long time and then afternoon valley wind start to hit it through. And after all wind was not that strong somit doesn't really creates much lee side rotor anywhere except the ridge area

[@chrisdrake7849]

As a well known strafer, I love it!

[@karna0120]

It is excellent. Do I need a skydiving license or skill to speedflying?

[@_albalex]

Paragliding background would be much better :) But with any background you gotta attend speedflying course. There is just a whole universe of speedfly specific skills which would make you stay alive and unhurt 🙏

[@karna0120]

@@_albalex Thanks, that was very helpful. Can I try speedflying without any paragliding experience or skills?

[@_albalex]

@@karna0120 you can, but it might take more time and effort. This you can learn at speedfly.com in US

[@karna0120]

@@_albalex Thanks for letting me know. Speedflying is very cool and I want to try itI am. But I'm going to have a hard time because I have almost no English skills.😂 What sky sports have you experienced before you tried speedflying?

[@_albalex]

@@karna0120 paragliding and skydiving. Try paragliding. Those skills are worth it regardless of if you gonna start speedflying or not 😉

[@easternsierrahikeandfly]

how quick is the turn around to do another lap off the mannlichen once youve landed?

[@_albalex]

If you fly to Wengen, you can 20' laps, if you go north side - 1.5 hour

[@TomasTHS86]

WooohooO . Fantastic

[@_albalex]

It's an amazing feelings to follow somebody so skilled and going so deep )

[@permattisholtmann5363]

clip when he rolled right and you left was lit

[@_albalex]

Thanks buddy! 🙏

[@ParaglidingChronicles]

wow proper crazy ! love from Pakistan

[@LarsWindlin]

Hey what size do u fly ✌️grz

[@_albalex]

It is Fury 10.2m 👌

[@ben-j]

Superb flying

[@_albalex]

Thanks bro! ☺

[@MrKillerHobbes]

wtf so insane

[@_albalex]

Thanks! ))

[@Amorstopineed]

how long do you fly? ^^ insane video

[@_albalex]

Thanks mate, I started spring 2021, so a bit more than 2 years now. But I'm trying to stay current and train consistently. This is important in this sport sometimes even more than number of ages

[@ben-j]

Wow mate I didn't know you started so recently. Your technique looks so clean, I remember one of your morning HF takeoffs during the world meet and I try to keep what I saw in mind. So much inspiration 😍.

[@_albalex]

@@ben-j Thanks Ben, that's very pleasant to hear. Sounds like I do it kinda right way then. Let's try keep it humble and out of complacency though 🙂

[@Amorstopineed]

@@_albalex man its awesome, so short. Where can you learn this? :)

[@_albalex]

@@Amorstopineed depends on where you live, you can go to speedfly.com in US, prospeedflying.com or speedflyingschool.com in Europe

[@filipevoolivre]

💥

[@axelkidd9850]

I guess there's no fun without the risk of entangling the lines in branches or print your face on a rock

[@_albalex]

No, that's exactly the opposite. None of the pilots wants to hit the tree or anything. This is not a risk which drives us to fly closer to the ground. We fly closer to terrain because skills are getting better and we could calculate our trajectory better. Most of the pilots at least 🙂

[@axelkidd9850]

To do that you have skills, no doubt. I guess you are just addicted to the adrenaline provided by the proximity flying, more than driven by the desire of improving skills... I would suggest to keep having good fun with a little bit more security distance, and thereby drastically increase your chances of living longer

[@_albalex]

@@axelkidd9850 that's a big discussion about what drives us. But definitely you are right that bigger margins are leading to less risks 🙏

[@dbogdan.]

👏😁🔥

[@florian30303]

bonkers

[@ЕвгенийВольский-у4в]

Это просто охуенно!

[@_albalex]

😅

[@SpeedRick]

WTF!!

[@_albalex]

Some kind of flying Rick, nothing more than that ) I might visit you in Budapest in mid august )

[@SpeedRick]

@@_albalex come on, awesome video! come to Buda, here we have bed and breakfast for you. In august I will be here from day 8 until 21 :-)

[@oczhaal]

I mean, what could go wrong?

[@_albalex]

No idea 🙃

[@alexanderseidl9102]

You guys are awesome! How long have you been flying?

[@_albalex]

Hey Alexander, thanks for comment. Jeff is flying around 10 years I guess. He is one of the most experienced pilots and instructors in the world. I'm flying for almost 3 years now