Matthias Weger
Name: Matthias Weger
Date of birth: 1996
Nationality: Italy
Paraglider: PI 3, OMEGA ULS
Harness: STRAPLESS 3, WEIGHTLESS
Flies since: 2019
Achievements: Multi-sport Athlete
About
Matthias is a whitewater kayaker, mountaineer and freerider from South Tyrol. He can look back on Europe-wide successes in kayaking and is now passionate about mountain sports and paragliding.
Matthias' adventures on Instagram
Interview
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST FLIGHT? HOW WAS IT?
Of course I remember my first flight. I was 22 years old and couldn't train for several weeks because I caught flu (I was then a kayak slalom pro and member of the army sports organisation). To stay stuck in the house for several weeks didn't work for me at all, and as I had always wanted to start flying I bought a good glider and went flying. Every day and in almost any weather. I wouldn't do this today.
FOR WHICH MOMENT DO YOU FLY?
For me, the fascination lies in the virtually endless variety of experiences that flying has given me, that never cease to surprise me.
YOUR THREE TOP FLYING AREAS?
My favourite and most frequent flying area is the Texel Group above Merano. It's not the easiest flying area, and not always the ideal place to chase kilometers, but the landscape and variety in this area is great and, depending on the weather and goal, it offers many landing opportunities at remote mountain lakes and peaks.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON A DAY THAT IS NOT FLYABLE?
On days when I can't escape by air I get around to climbing those routes that don't have a takeoff place.
WHY DO YOU FLY FOR ADVANCE?
It is the complete ADVANCE package that does it for me. With the PI 3 and STRAPLESS I have the perfect mountain equipment which, in my opinion, helps me get into the air most often and most safely in alpine terrain. And I also have an incredible amount of fun in the air. Even though my main focus is certainly not on competitions, I still have plenty of fun with the OMEGA ULS and the Weightless. Whether it's cross-country flying, vol-biv, or just speeding around on a mountain meadow or snowy slopes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?
Actually I like almost everything; the most important thing is that whatever it is it should be well prepared - or perhaps when I am just incredibly hungry. Then I'll eat anything.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE IN LIFE?
Work hard and play very intense!
