Patrickvon Känel
- dtg-- km
- height-- m
- speed-- km/h
- heart beat-- bpm
- Nationality: Switzerland
- Date of birth: 28 July 1994
- Profession: Testpilot by ADVANCE Paragliders
- Supporter: Sepp Inniger
- Glider: ADVANCE Omega X-Alps 3 22,8
- Sponsors: IEM, Martifuture, Flywithandy, Raiffeisen, ADVANCE Paragliders, ONEDAY Coaching
When and why did you begin paragliding?My parents are both paragliding pilots and I grew up seeing paragliders everywhere. Since I was a young boy I dreamt of flying. In 2010, when I became 16, I got my licence.
Do you paraglide competitively? List rankings and events.2014 I sarted with national competitions: - Swiss championship (13th place) - Swiss League (7th place) 2015 I did my first Paragliding World Cup: - PWC in Brazil (6th place) - Swiss Championship (11) - Swiss League (6) - National XContest (13th place) 2016: - PWC in Brazil (20th) - European Championship (38th) - Swiss Championship (7th) - Swiss League (8th) - National XContest (3rd) 2017 I competed for the first time in a Hike&Fly race: - Vercofly (6th) - PWC - World Championship (51th/ 3th Team) - Swiss Championship (6) - Swiss League (8) 2018 : - PWC in Australia (24th) - Ironfly (2nd) - Eigertour (2nd)
What is your mountaineering experience?A lot of peaks in my backyard: Doldenhorn (3600m), Blüemlisalp (3600m), Balmhorn& Altels (3600m), Breithorn Zermatt (4000m)
What is your paragliding experience?I've been flying for 8 years and the last 2 years I've been working as a testpilot for ADVANCE Paragliders. As a testpilot I got the chance to fly everyday: more than 500 hours per year. XC Competions. XC flying. Acro flying.
What is your adventure racing / endurance sport experience?Ironfly: 380 km walking in 4 days.
What does your typical training week consist of?I try to train between 5-10 hours a week. In summer I do mostly long hikes and in winter I do skitouring and I train in the gym.
What are your best and worst adventure/flying moments?Best flying moments: alle the longest XC flights. Especially the 513km long flight in Brazil last October. Worst flying moment: my first full-stall in 2011 was probably the scariest moment since I've been flying.
What are the sporting moments you are most proud of?The flight over 500km; only 12 pilots all over the world could fly such a long distance yet. The 2nd place in the Salewa Ironfly. The 2nd place in the Eigertour.
When and how did you first hear about Red Bull X-Alps?2009 when Chrigel competed for the first time.
What appeals to you about Red Bull X-Alps?The great distance that stands between the start and the finish of the competition. I saw that X-Alps has some swiss sponsors and so I hope that one of the turnpoints will be in my country. I will be very motivated to cross a part of Switzerland.
What will be your strategy during the race?I try to stay as long as possible close to Chrigel. In the last hike & fly competitions he gave me some tips that I will try to follow during the race.
Why do you think you will make it to the finish?Because my flying experience I hope to be able to fly long distances.
