Magdalena Janaway
| Disciplines | Cross competition |
|---|---|
| nationality | Polish |
| city | Sorica, Slovenia, Exeter, United Kingdom |
| Birth date | 1982 |
| Gin team since | 2025 |
Know more about Magdalena
Biography
Magdalena Janaway is a Polish pilot based between Slovenia and the UK, whose passion for flying gradually grew into a full-time career. She originally trained as a geologist and worked as an exploration geologist and geodetic engineer before paragliding took over her professional life. Today, she is deeply involved in the competition scene, working in live tracking, safety and event organisation, while continuing to develop as a pilot and competitor.
Interview
What’s your job or profession?:
My first love was geology. I was working as a certified exploration geologist, and geodetic engineer for multiple companies. Slowly, not so slowly the paragliding overtook my professional life and now with my husband, I organise or work at many paragliding and hang-gliding competitions. My main job is usually live tracking and safety, but I also manage retrieve and admin jobs before and after the competitions.
My first love was geology. I was working as a certified exploration geologist, and geodetic engineer for multiple companies. Slowly, not so slowly the paragliding overtook my professional life and now with my husband, I organise or work at many paragliding and hang-gliding competitions. My main job is usually live tracking and safety, but I also manage retrieve and admin jobs before and after the competitions.
Do you have any hobbies besides paragliding?:
Quite a few which always must wait for their time… 365 days in a year is not enough. When I find time then running and reading/learning are winning, but gardening and crocheting are just behind. Did I mention hiking, cycling, rock hunting (geologist by heart is still there), photography…
Quite a few which always must wait for their time… 365 days in a year is not enough. When I find time then running and reading/learning are winning, but gardening and crocheting are just behind. Did I mention hiking, cycling, rock hunting (geologist by heart is still there), photography…
When and what inspired you to start paragliding?:
Dreams about flying when I was a child. Watching National Geographic with David Attenborough talking about birds and amazing skills they have, what they can see from above, their freedom while in the air. Can you imagine looking at the rocks and mountains from above??? Amazing!
Dreams about flying when I was a child. Watching National Geographic with David Attenborough talking about birds and amazing skills they have, what they can see from above, their freedom while in the air. Can you imagine looking at the rocks and mountains from above??? Amazing!
What are your favorite flying spots?:
Slovenia and its Julian Alps with turquoise rivers, green forests and mostly grey/white rocky mountains.
Slovenia and its Julian Alps with turquoise rivers, green forests and mostly grey/white rocky mountains.
What is your best flight or adventure?
Flight I did so far twice from our home site in Slovenia – 189 km out and return.
Flight I did so far twice from our home site in Slovenia – 189 km out and return.
Could you share a link to your best flight track? (e.g., XContest or similar)
My World and European record flight – speed over 100km out and return
My World and European record flight – speed over 100km out and return
What do you like most about flying?:
Perspective. Flying gives as a chance to distance ourselves from day-to-day life and get some peace with amazing views but also gives as a chance to see our beautiful World from perspective of a bird. We can see that there is something more than just us. There is something more we should care about – the whole World, Nature, our Planet = home.
Perspective. Flying gives as a chance to distance ourselves from day-to-day life and get some peace with amazing views but also gives as a chance to see our beautiful World from perspective of a bird. We can see that there is something more than just us. There is something more we should care about – the whole World, Nature, our Planet = home.
Why do you want to be part of the GIN team?:
In 2017 I saw GIN Sprint, the EN-B. I thought: ooo that is one I want. It did not happen then. Next time I saw GIN Explorer and fell in love with the looks and colours. Watching my friends enjoying flying it. Still, did not happen. When I met Brett, he was flying GTO 2, hike and fly EN-D. He loved it so much. His smiley face could convince anybody that it is an amazing toy to fly. I was not yet at the level to fly EN-D. Finally, the time came. GIN GTO 3 – got it, Yippee. It felt like home. I love it. The flying it, is just soooo relaxing with amazing performance. Last year I also got the Boomerang 13. Was a little bit worried, but it was so unnecessary. Amazing machine, with this relaxing feeling. I did not know before that you can fly competition glider and feel so much joy and ease.
That are the gliders, but that is not all. The whole Gin team and people involved, are as important. They make you feel welcomed, supported, heard. They want to share their knowledge but also listen to your input. They care. That could make anybody want to be part of that and help to make it better if you can, with the skills you have.
In 2017 I saw GIN Sprint, the EN-B. I thought: ooo that is one I want. It did not happen then. Next time I saw GIN Explorer and fell in love with the looks and colours. Watching my friends enjoying flying it. Still, did not happen. When I met Brett, he was flying GTO 2, hike and fly EN-D. He loved it so much. His smiley face could convince anybody that it is an amazing toy to fly. I was not yet at the level to fly EN-D. Finally, the time came. GIN GTO 3 – got it, Yippee. It felt like home. I love it. The flying it, is just soooo relaxing with amazing performance. Last year I also got the Boomerang 13. Was a little bit worried, but it was so unnecessary. Amazing machine, with this relaxing feeling. I did not know before that you can fly competition glider and feel so much joy and ease.
That are the gliders, but that is not all. The whole Gin team and people involved, are as important. They make you feel welcomed, supported, heard. They want to share their knowledge but also listen to your input. They care. That could make anybody want to be part of that and help to make it better if you can, with the skills you have.
What are your objectives for the next two years?:
A little bit 😉 more, more of competing. It is soo much fun. I feel there is much more I can still achieve, learn, improve. Records… we will see what is possible. My feeling is that the sport is progressing still. There are so many things we can do which were not available few years ago. I am excited.
A little bit 😉 more, more of competing. It is soo much fun. I feel there is much more I can still achieve, learn, improve. Records… we will see what is possible. My feeling is that the sport is progressing still. There are so many things we can do which were not available few years ago. I am excited.
What advice would you give to new pilots?
Do it your way. If you need time, take your time. Do not look at other people. Listen to your heart, not ego, and enjoy, enjoy the journey. There is no reason to rush. Do what makes you happy at this moment.
Do it your way. If you need time, take your time. Do not look at other people. Listen to your heart, not ego, and enjoy, enjoy the journey. There is no reason to rush. Do what makes you happy at this moment.
Achievements
100
km
km
Out and return speed world record
2024
Record
1st
SRS league
2023 - 2024
Female
3rd
SRS Skywalk Edition
2024
Overall
9th
SRS league
2024
Overall
1st
British Championship
2022 - 2025
Female
GB Paragliding Team
Since 2023
National team
5th
WPRS Female Ranking
2026
Female
