Race the Wild: Our X-Pyr 2026 Team
Meet the pilots who will take on one of the world’s toughest Hike & Fly races with the new Puma 2.
From elite competition pilots to vol-biv adventurers, each athlete brings a unique story and a deep passion for mountain flying. Together, they will put the Puma 2 to the test in one of the most demanding and iconic races in the paragliding world, a non-stop adventure combining trail running, mountaineering, strategy and high-performance flying across the Pyrenees.
Designed specifically for modern hike & fly racing, the Puma 2 is the evolution of GIN’s lightweight performance concept. Developed for pilots seeking maximum efficiency in demanding mountain environments, it combines high-level glide performance with lightweight construction, precise handling and the accessibility needed for long and technical race days.
We are proud to introduce the pilots who will take on the X-Pyr 2026 with us. Coming from different disciplines and backgrounds, they are all connected by the same passion for the mountains, adventure and performance in the air. From experienced X-Pyr veterans to ambitious newcomers, each of them brings their own experience, approach and connection to mountain flying.
Norwegian pilot Gabriela Avagian represents the new generation of ambitious hike & fly athletes. Combining XC competition, adventure flying and endurance sports, she has quickly established herself as one of the most promising female pilots in the scene.
Recently crowned Nordic and Norwegian Champion, Gabriela has already achieved podium finishes in the Copa de Las Américas and completed demanding events such as the Bornes To Fly and Dolomiti Superfly. Her passion for discovering the world through flight, combined with her athletic background and determination, make her an exciting athlete to follow in the X-Pyr 2026.
Adventure and exploration are at the core of Benoît Brunet-Poirier’s flying philosophy. The Canadian pilot has spent more than a decade pushing his limits through vol-biv expeditions, long-distance XC flights and international hike & fly races.
After becoming the first Canadian to finish the X-Pyr in 2024, Benoît continued to expand his adventure resume with record flights in Kyrgyzstan and Brazil, alongside multi-month expeditions across South America. His combination of resilience, curiosity and endurance perfectly reflects the spirit of the X-Pyr.
Coming from the Basque Country, Aner Bueno lives for mountain adventure. Whether crossing alpine ranges, bivouacking deep in remote valleys or performing one of the longest flights on pyrenees, his flying is driven by exploration and freedom.
Aner has already achieved impressive XC performances in the Alps and Pyrenees, including flights exceeding 280 km and major FAI triangle achievements. Passionate about bivouac flying and mountain sports, he brings strong endurance and a true adventure mindset to the X-Pyr 2026 challenge.
One of the most experienced hike & fly athletes in the field, Stanislav Mayer has built an impressive career across XC racing, aerobatics and adventure competition. The Czech pilot achieved historic results in the X-Pyr with a 2nd place finish in 2016 and 3rd place in 2018, alongside a top-10 finish at the 2021 World Championship.
A regular competitor in international events including the Red Bull X-Alps and Paragliding World Cup, Stanislav combines elite-level race experience with thousands of hours in the air. Known for his efficiency, endurance and tactical flying, he enters the X-Pyr 2026 as one of the strongest and most experienced athletes in the race.
Growing up in the Alps, Guilhem Mobe naturally developed a passion for the mountains and adventure flying. What started as a way to descend after climbing quickly evolved into multi-day vol-biv expeditions and competitive hike & fly racing across the Alps and Pyrenees.
Over the last years, Guilhem has collected strong results in French and Swiss competitions, including podium finishes at the Jura Air Tour and Cantal Air Tour. With a mindset focused on adaptation, endurance and exploration, he approaches the X-Pyr as both a competition and a personal adventure.
Based in Jaca, in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, Antonio Ramos is a true mountain athlete whose flying is deeply connected to alpinism and adventure. Since starting paragliding in 2012, he has steadily built experience in both XC and hike & fly competitions, becoming a familiar face in races across the Pyrenees.
Winner of the 2025 Pyrenees Hike & Fly Open, Antonio combines strong technical skills with deep knowledge of mountain terrain and weather. Passionate about climbing, ski touring and exploration, he represents the spirit of modern hike & fly racing perfectly.
