ITA3 performs during the Red Bull X-Alps pre-shooting in Kleinarl, Austria on June 14, 2021.

NicolaDonini

Distance
Time (h:m)
%
Flying
785 km
21:00
76%
Hiking
244 km
42:00
24%
Total
1,029 km
63:00
rookie
  • dtg-- km
  • height-- m
  • speed-- km/h
  • heart beat-- bpm
ITA3
it
  • Nationality: Italy
  • Date of birth: 27 June 1996
  • Profession: Athlete - professional paragliding pilot
  • Supporter: Fiorenzo Graziano
  • Sponsors: U-turn, Visit Trentino, Woody Valley, NOVA

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

When and why did you begin paragliding?I did my first tandem flight with my father at the age of 4, I started groundhandling at 9 and I started flying at 11.

Do you paraglide competitively? List rankings and events.2013 - Italian XC champion and acro champion 2015 - Dubai World Air games 2016 - Italian CX champion 2017 - 8-9 Italian acro champion 2018 - 2nd place at PWC superfinal

What is your mountaineering experience?I did several alpine peaks in the Dolomites, where I come from.

What is your paragliding experience?I am a very experienced XC pilot and acro pilot. I've completed and won several competitions (as listed above) and I regularly do long XC flying.

What is your adventure racing / endurance sport experience?I have done several vol-bivac and I participated in Ironfly (2017) and Dolomiti Superfly (2020)

What does your typical training week consist of?At least 2 sessions of vertical ascent and one running on flat. Ski Alp in winter.

What are your best and worst adventure / flying moments?Worst: Falling in the canopy during infinity tumbling. Best: There are many great moments, mostly having the chance to see nature and wilderness from a unique point (ex. flying next to an avalanche, seeing an eagle hunting a deer, etc.)

What are the sporting moments you are most proud of?Winning the Italian championship ex-equo with my father in 2016.

Have you competed in Red Bull X-Alps before and if so, when?No, this will be the first time.

What appeals to you about Red Bull X-Alps?I love to compete and measure my skills and I love adventure flying and adventure races. Red Bull X-Alps is the Mount Everest of adventure races and I would love to be a part of it

What will be your strategy during the race?I will try to take advantage of my flying skills, to fly new routes and be very fast. As well I have a good support team that takes great care of the logistics and of the route planning.

Why do you think you will make it to the finish?I am a competitive guy and my flying skills can take me where many others cannot. This, together with a perfect team organization, will lead me to the finish.

What scares you the most about the event?Managing the energies during the very long daily hours will be a tough task.

Have you ever done anything of this magnitude before?I have done other adventure races and top-notch XC competitions so I am used to being under physical and mental pressure for several days in a row.

Glider make and modelNOVA XENON

Harness make and modelWoody Valley proto

All Athletes

Follow us

Newsletter Sign up - Section

Never miss the latest news!

Sign up to our Red Bull X-Alps newsletter and stay updated daily on news, invitations and offers about sports, events and products from Red Bull and its affiliated companies. Don’t worry, if you change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time, free of charge.

Newsletter signup

red bull x alps newsletter signup glider 2