• What is your paragliding specialization and what drew you to focus on this particular aspect of the sport?
My specialization in paragliding is accuracy landing. What fascinated me about this discipline is the challenge of landing precisely on target under different conditions. When you try it yourself, you quickly realize that it’s not as simple as it seems at first glance. You have to consider wind direction and strength, thermals, terrain slope, lift… and maintain full concentration until the very last moment to hit the target precisely. The desire for perfection and precision makes this sport beautiful and motivates the pilot to get closer to a “pancake” with each flight—our nickname for target. 😊
• Which wing do you fly, and what makes it special to you? How does it enhance your flying experience?
I fly the AYA 2 because stability and maneuverability are crucial for accuracy landing, and it's also important that the glider doesn’t fly too fast. Additionally, finding a properly sized glider was a challenge for me because most manufacturers don’t offer an XS size. Lighter pilots often have to fly larger gliders at the lower end of their weight range. With the AYA 2, I finally got to experience flying a glider in the second half of the weight range. My first impression was that it felt faster, which makes sense from a physics perspective, and honestly, it took me some time to adjust. Over time, I discovered its advantages—better responsiveness, more control over the wing, and greater stability. Finally, I was in control of the glider rather than the glider controlling me
• What was your first contact with paragliding?
I was introduced to paragliding at an early age because my dad used to fly. However, due to a lack of time, he eventually gave up the hobby. Later, in my teenage years, my grandfather took up paragliding, and that’s when the spark ignited in me. Soon after, I started flying myself, and I still do to this day.
• How long have you been flying and where do fly the most?
I started flying at 14, got my paragliding license just after my 16th birthday, and then one day, I went to a competition just for fun—to explore a new takeoff site and get some flights in. In the end, I finished second in the women's category, and that’s how my competitive career began.
• What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your paragliding career?
One important accuracy landing lesson is: It’s better to enter the landing maneuver too high than too low. If you’re too high, you can still make adjustments. If you’re too low, you might end up too short and just hope the wind carries you to the target.
• Who or what inspires you to keep pushing boundaries in paragliding?
The pursuit of perfection and accuracy—to have complete control over my glider in all conditions, hit the center, and do it elegantly.
• How do you perceive the risks involved in paragliding, and how do you manage them during your flights?
Paragliding is an adrenaline sport, which means there are inherent risks. That’s why training and licensing are necessary—to ensure that pilots can respond appropriately in situations that could potentially lead to accidents. In my opinion, we need to have a certain level of respect and awareness for our sport. This means recognizing that unexpected situations can always arise and knowing our own abilities and limits.
• What do your family and close friends think about your paragliding career, and how do they support or influence your journey?
My family supports me a lot in paragliding and is proud of my achievements. My biggest supporter is my grandfather, as he was the one who introduced me to the sport, drove me to my first course, helped me with my first solo flights, and eventually accompanied me to competitions. My family has always been by my side, in both good and bad times, in one way or another.
