LIFESTYLE FLYING HIGH WITH SPEED RIDER VALENTIN DELLUC
Hello Valentin! Let’s get straight to the point: what’s Speed Riding?
It’s a mix between skiing and flying. We use a small glider, about three to four times smaller than a paraglider, which allows you to fly when descending. At speeds of up to 90 mph! It allows you to ski on almost any slope, and take off before a cliff or an obstacle, where a skier would normally have to use a rope to rappel. Whether it’s flying over an avalanche, sliding down a chairlift cable or skiing over cliffs, everything is possible.
Valentin Delluc
Valentin Delluc
So the equipment you use is a glider, a harness like the ones used for paragliding, and a pair of skis?
Exactly. At the beginning, when speed riding was first invented in the 2000s, we used wings to fly like you would in parachuting. It was only in 2006 that paraglider manufacturers started to develop specific wings for the sport. And then we started to move off-piste, so we also needed an airbag, a detector for avalanche issues, a shovel and a probe. It’s the same equipment mountaineers use to climb glaciers.
What led you to become a speed rider?
I started skiing with my dad when I was two and a half, paragliding at age 11 and speed riding when I was 18. The trigger was my brother’s microlight accident in 2010, as he was a big fan of speed riding and had always told me to come and try it with him. After his accident, I wanted to know how he felt, so I ordered a speed wing. And that’s when I immediately understood. You feel incredible; the sensations are very difficult to describe!
What do you need to become a great speed rider?
You have to be a good skier (freeride, freestyle or alpine). That’s probably why Candide Thovex inspires me so much… and you’ve also got to do some other air sports. In my case, I’ve mastered paragliding, skydiving, base jumping and kitesurfing, and I’m also a microlight instructor. Whether it’s my older brother, or people like Antoine Montant – a speed riding pioneer whom I admire deeply – you have to be inspired every day, by everything you see. It’s a creative activity that you need to enjoy.
Valentin Delluc wearing the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 (WBP2110.BA0627)
What’s your dream terrain for speed riding?
The north face of the Aiguille du Midi is my favorite high mountain training area. The ideal landscape is a big steep mountain with canyons, cliffs, seracs and avalanches. The natural environment is our playground, so there’s no need for any specific infrastructure—that’s the great thing about it!
Is there one particularly memorable run you can share with us?
It’s really difficult to pick just one! But one of my most special runs was the one where I slid down a chairlift cable in Avoriaz in 2014. After that, I won two races at the French speed riding championships, which is what really launched my career. My nighttime flight over the Bossons Glacier is also particularly memorable. We only had one go to get the shot in the bag!
What does your training look like?
The best physical and mental training is to be on the ground; nothing replaces real training! When winter ends, I start speed flying and I use the same high speed wings but on foot, without skis. So 90% of the time, I do three hours of hiking for about two to three minutes of flying—it’s short but very intense. I also train my muscles and do lots of stretching and proprioception training (to become more aware of muscle movements). All sports activities complement each other. As for the mental aspect, I train myself to visualize and anticipate outcomes as much as possible.
How do you prepare yourself before a run? And what does it feel like when it’s finally time to take off?
I have a whole checklist of equipment to check; I also study the weather conditions to be completely prepared. Then my feelings will depend on the intensity of the run. When I set off, I’m very focused, and I usually stay that way for the whole run. It’s usually when I land after the flight that my emotions come out! 99% of the time, I have a huge smile on my face when I land. And then I just want to snap my fingers and do it all over again, right away.
Valentin Delluc
Valentin Delluc
How do you handle the risk-factor? And your own fear?
It’s like being in a car: you have the choice to put yourself in danger or not. The advantage is that there is much less traffic in the air! Risks should always be minimized through training, the right weather conditions and feeling good in your own body and mind. I never put myself in unnecessary danger; when I don’t feel it, I don’t do it. Everything needs to be more or less perfect beforehand. But this doesn’t mean you should never be afraid – in fact just the opposite. Fear speeds up your heart rate and sharpens your senses, which is great for speed riding. But you should never feel invincible. Humans aren’t designed to fly, and we can never afford to forget that!
Do you think your discipline impacts your character?
I’m everything but a risk taker. If you skip the learning steps, there’s real danger, and in our discipline, a small mistake can cost you your life. Speed riding has taught me to stay humble and respect nature, which will always be more powerful than we are. It’s a big life lesson.
Would you say speed riding and a love of nature go hand in hand?
Yes, for me speed riding is definitely a ‘green’ activity! Once the wing has been made, you can practice freely, without causing any pollution or damage to the environment. All you need is a backpack and a wing and you can set off to explore the mountain. I’m also a beekeeper, and I know how fragile our ecosystem is. I love being in the mountains, it’s where I feel good, and speed riding allows me to do exactly that.
Thanks a lot Valentin!
Discover our new campaign featuring Wadeck Gorack wearing the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 (WBP2110.BA0627)
