Why athletes launch knowing they’ll have to land

June 16, 2023

It’s not about being hopeful, it’s about being fast, efficient… and winning the race Hiking up and then flying down could be the worst nightmare for a recreational pilot. But for these elite athletes, it’s a useful tactic. We see them hiking early up to a launch site and then gliding down to the valley. This is because they always want to keep moving, and always want to be making ground.