The Cloudbase Mayhem podcast is where you will find fascinating and educational interviews with the best free-flight pilots in the world. If you fly a hanglider or paraglider, if you fly acro or cross country, the Cloudbase Mayhem podcast is where we glean how the great pilots of the world get there. Hosted by Red Bull X-Alps pilot, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and current holder of the North American foot launch record, Gavin McClurg. Follow me on Instagram @gavinmcclurg or on Facebook @ facebook.com/gavinnmcclurg or Twitter on @cloudbasemayhem.
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Episode 131- Ferdinand Van Shelven takes on his 5th X-Alps
Ferdinand (aka “Ferdy”) Van Shelven, “The Flying Dutchman” is returning for his 5th Red Bull X-Alps this June after taking a break from the 2019 race. Ferdy has been in the top 7 in all of his previous 4 campaigns from 2011 to 2017. How has a pilot from the flatlands of the Netherlands become so competitive in the toughest race on Earth? We explore his flying philosophy; his approach to risk; the dynamic with his wife Nicole supporting him in the race; the right head-space for something as huge as the X-Alps; how his approach will change in this edition; the good and bad side of ignorance; some of the sketchy situations he’s experienced in the race; how to follow your instincts; sitting out the 2019 race and a lot more. Enjoy this fun talk with a huge fan favorite of the race!
Show Notes:
* The flying dutchman returns!
* Some sketchy situations
* Sitting out the 2019 race
* Oh the crazy places you will go!
* Pain
* What rookies should expect, and are they ready?
* Doing the race with your wife as supporter and a new baby on board!
* The breakthrough of Ferdy’s 2017 race, and how he’s been so consistent
* The crazy vertical the race requires on some days
* Dealing with the risk of the X-Alps
* Day 2 of the 2017 X-Alps when Benoit crashed and Antoine Girard got really hurt and had to retire from the race
* How much psychological trauma can we handle?
* Where and how Chrigel gains on the rest and the advantage of being out front early
* Best/ worst experiences of the race
Mentioned in this episode: Red Bull X-Alps, Zooom, Tom De Dorlodot, Nick Neynens, Chrigel Maurer, Bruce Marks, Skywalk, Salewa, Toma Coconea, Aaron Durogati, Paul Guschlbauer, Simon Oberrauner, Rick Brezina, Michal Gierlach, Benoit Outters, Antoine Girard, Reavis Sutphin-Gray