Patron of the skies: Samuel Tanner goes RedBull X-Alps

Since Samuel Tanner has been able to fly, you rarely see him on the ground. He will soon be competing in the toughest hike & fly race in the world at the RedBull X-Alps. How I met the rare bird anyway, why he's so keen on Innsbruck and how to prepare for 12 days of hiking and flying here. Among other things: with me in the Inn.

Eight o'clock in the morning on a public holiday. We're going ice swimming. Admittedly: That was my idea. I wonder if he dares? But Samuel Tanner says yes quite easily. Probably a month ago we wanted to meet up, first to go mountain biking, then for a run, but the young Innsbrucker-by-choice always flew away from me at the last moment. This morning he finally has time, maybe two hours. Smiling, he walks the few meters from the market square next to me and just a few stone steps later the Inn sparkles at eye level. When the water level is favorable, a bay slows down the current and its sandy banks are ideal for a swim. We wade in together, first waist-deep, then sit down, now breathe and enjoy. Four minutes and twenty: if tea steeps longer, it becomes bitter. We leave the water so as not to take any risks. Breakfast? Samuel smiles without a tremor. I am impressed. How often does he go ice bathing like this, I ask casually as we get dressed. His first time, he smiles.

Good morning from the market bar: Samuel gets scrambled eggs on brown bread, with a cappuccino and orange juice. And his first time flying? With his father, at home in the Drau Valley - he replies, chewing. From the Emberger Alm at 1,750 meters above sea level, he accompanied his father on countless tandem flights before pulling up the glider on his own for the first time at the age of 15. So Hike & Fly was even laid in the nest for the young Samuel. Today, Samuel is 26 years young, lives and flies in Innsbruck - and studies medicine at the same time. A profession that demands a lot and requires balance. But flying is also a leisure killer, he spent a good 270 hours in the air last year. I ask him if he's not actually afraid up there. He's only responsible for his own life up there, which makes things a lot easier, he says gently. And truly: this Samuel radiates a stoic strength, stands firm in life, a friendly, flying rock.

The Nordkette is considered one of the most demanding flying areas in Tyrol. I know that from other birds. The thermals there are wild and impetuous, the weather picky and changeable. Many prefer to go to the Stubai and fly relaxed from the 11er lift. But Samuel is a purist - early ascent, light luggage, flying far, that's his world. Just yesterday, he was in the air for eight and a half hours over a long distance. A whole working day, I calculate in amazement. His "home route" goes from Nordkette to Achensee and back. With two special highlights: One is the lap around the digitally mapped CTR (Controlled Traffic Region, i.e. the "no-fly zone") of Innsbruck Airport. And the fantastic falafel sandwich in the Marrusch restaurant afterwards.

in 2020, the student ventured into his first distance races, and this year he will be competing in the RedBull X-Alps at the start for the first time. The world's toughest paragliding competition takes off from Kitzbühel on June 15, reaches the "turning point" in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena and lands on a tiny platform on Lake Zell on June 27. the 35 athletes from 17 nations have 12 days to complete the race. The actual race route is invisible; they navigate with millimeter precision between GPS cylinders digitally painted in the air.

The thin Para Cords that hold Samuel to his wing cannot be seen from the ground. A key moment for Samuel was the switch from a classic 3-line glider to his sporty 2-line glider. The fact that there is no middle line means that steeper angles of attack are possible and therefore higher speeds - he can reach up to 60 km/h this way. You soon realize that flying is also a matter of the mind. It's primarily a mental sport, Samuel explains to me, as long as you can hold a glider at the start and run off with it, you're already physically fit enough. In addition to biking, hiking, running and - in winter - ski touring, he now also trains with a professional flight coach for the X-Alps. "Of course you're more nervous, the tasks can be intimidating, the overall scope is just wild." His goal for 2025: to finish. The top 10 would of course be a dream. But Samuel prefers to keep his head down.

If you ask him about the key to flying, he says: experience, being able to read the air. And a good flying weather app. He rarely listens to music during cross-country flights - and when he does, he likes progressive metal, Tool or Acen. He used to love going to festivals, like Rock am Ring with friends. When they come to visit him today, he likes to show them the old town and the Nordkette mountain range. And then I probably just take them on a tandem flight, like a Tyrolean double eagle. Sightseeing from a bird's eye view - I'd like to invite myself along too. But first: X-Alps. So there's only one question left to answer today: How will he get to Waging am Chiemsee for his grandma's birthday? Maybe a direct flight, he grins.

We wish Samuel Tanner good weather and favorable winds for his start at the RedBull X-Alps. And if you see the likeable Tyrolean patron in the sky above the Nordkette in summer (or in the Inn): Just give him a friendly wave!

Photos: The pictures of the Bath & Breakfast are from the author, all flight and hiking pictures are of course from Samuel. Thanks for that!