Support Team Australia to compete in X-Pyr 2022

Support Team Australia to compete in X-Pyr 2022 — an international paragliding adventure race in Europe.

 

On June 26, Richard Binstead (pilot), Conan Burch and Callum Fry (support) are set to become the second Australian team ever to embark on the gruelling 600km + paragliding and hiking race along the Pyrenees mountain range that separates Spain and France.

 

This event is touted by organisers as “the toughest adventure race in the world.” Team Australia will be competing alongside 44 teams from 20 countries and Richard will be competing alongside the world’s top hike and fly pilots.

 

What is involved?

This biannual adventure race traverses the Pyrenees mountain range following a predetermined course that is yet to be revealed. The pilot has seven days to use their legs and paraglider to travel as far as they can from the west coast of Spain to the east French coast. The 2022 course at more than 600 km will be the biggest and most technical yet.

 

As you can imagine, to be competitive, participants must possess elite cross-country paragliding skills and a huge amount of fitness.

 

The considerable costs associated with competing in this week-long race are out of reach to most paragliding pilots. For non-European pilots like us, so far away from the paragliding hub of Europe, major sponsors are difficult to secure. The niche sport of paragliding and adventure racing doesn’t have the same reach in Australia as, say, rugby league or cricket.

 

After initially hesitating to ask for help, we have decided to seek financial support for Team Australia from our friends, family and fans of the race. Any support will be invaluable as it will help us focus on training and planning, rather than sourcing sponsors, potentially to no avail.

How will the funds be spent?

The majority of the funds will be spent on insurance, van hire, fuel, plane tickets and technical gear. Any funds not spent will be donated to a mental health charity. See below for a breakdown of costs.

Breakdown of Costs:
Flights to Europe - $6600
Insurance - $887
Gear for race - $10500
Car hire and van hire - $4802
Fuel - $1200 (approx)
Accommodation - $600 (approx)
Miscellaneous items - $700
Competition entry fee - $600
Total = $25889 (AUD)
 
Spread the word. Please like and share.

 

Thank you. We appreciate any and all support. Every bit helps.

 

If you wish to follow along with the adventure, you can via:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xpyr2022_australia_rich_conan/

Event live tracking - https://www.x-pyr.com/en/

Richies Blog - https://richiesadventures.com/x-pyr-2022/

A note from Rich on being selected
On the 22nd of January, I woke up to a WhatsApp message from the X-Pyr organiser, Íñigo Redín alerting me to an email from him. I immediately checked and saw the email title “X-Pyr 2022 - Your team is selected”. I couldn’t believe it! The feeling was a mixture between ecstasy and anxiety. I was ecstatic because a five-year goal was realised, and I was anxious because I knew the work and cost involved in getting to the starting line. The race is very imposing. Would I be up to it? I presume most of the first-timers had similar feelings. We’ve got to give it a go right?

Big thanks to

Wally and Clara at Bright Flight - https://www.brightflight.com.au/

Alistair at Bluefly varios - https://www.blueflyvario.com/

Ross at awesomewoodies - https://awesomewoodys.com/
Mitch at The Running Company Albert Park - https://www.therunningcompany.com.au/albert-park/  
Victorian Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association - https://www.vhpa.org.au/
Sydney Paragliding and Hang Gliding Club Inc - https://www.flysydney.com.au/