http://www.cloudbasemayhem.com/episode-45-chrigel-maurer-and-becoming-an-eagle/

Chrigel launches during the 2017 Red Bull X-Alps:

Episode 45 - Chrigel Maurer and becoming an Eagle July 26, 2017 by
Gavin McClurg

Chrigel Maurer is the undisputed king of paragliding and after his 5th straight
X-Alps win I get the feeling that he’s just getting started. Chrigel was the
World Cup champion 3 times, is an acro champion, test pilot for Advance, two
times winner of the X-Pyr, regularly dominates the Swiss League and just simply
wins - over, and over and over again.

Everyone has heard of Chrigel’s famous training (ground handling in VERY strong
wind, flying in the lee of cornices…) but most don’t know the extent of how hard
and specifically he trains.

How much is talent versus persistence? How does Chrigel justify the risk? How
does he approach safety? How is getting older affecting his decisions? How
important is physical fitness to good flying? Is the X-Alps even risky for
Chrigel?

His sons, aged 6 and 9 are beginning to fly - does this make him nervous? Where
does he get his motivation from?

In this episode we dive into what makes Chrigel an Eagle. How does he fly so
straight? What mistakes do other pilots make? What separates him from the rest
of the pilots in the race? How does he make his decisions? How does planning and
calculated decision making happen in the air and how much is intuition? Does he
have weaknesses and if so how does he resolve them? How Chrigel reduces risk and
how other pilots can be much safer. The power of optimism and the need for
gambling (safely).

For me this was an opportunity of a lifetime, to sit down with someone who
consistently shows us what is possible with a glider and makes us dream of the
possibilities.