The X-alps race is considered to be the hardest challenge in the paragliding world. Now this classic starts again – and with Vincent Sprüngli and Pal Takats two pilots rely on U-Turn gliders as their airline.
 
The event starts on July 19th in Salzburg. Flying or by foot, other options are excluded, the pilots have to get over the 818 km to Monaco. Sole requirement: They have to pass turnpoints. And these turnpoints are really demanding. Starting in Salzburg, the route leads to the Watzmann, Großglockner, Marmolada, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Mont Gros to Monaco.
 
Sprüngli and Takats will employ a specially designed glider, based on the new XC-glider AIRWOLF (LTF2) of U-Turn. So the challenge will be a real hardness test for the AIRWOLF as well. The aspect ratio of the X-Alps-AIRWOLF was raised to 6.3 from 6.0. Furthermore the glider is made of Skytex 27 cloth, only the profile and the attachement points are made of Skytech 36. The glider provides the PPN-System (Precise Profile Nose), which guarantees perfect starting behavior – a very precious feature in this competition.