Thank you for watching. I broke the female world record distance last October on the 25th. Went almost 415K and she was flying with Rafael Saladini and the boys down there that set the world record three years ago, I guess now. So Brazil is a hotbed of huge flights. This was not a particularly great day, but she went very far. Of course, she's going to be pressing on the gas. Again, this year to hopefully go farther.
But yeah, this was a tough day. A lot of blue, pretty slow day, but still kind of stuck with it. And we hear all about that story. The magazines have been saying a lot of like zero to hero because she hasn't been at the game very long, but she has been at the game for nine years. That's not very short either, but got really seriously into it about four years ago. So we talked about her progression and mentors and how she got into it and how she's chasing it. And she's doing really well in comps. So super inspiring. It was fun to hear about her stories about flying in the Sertau, which is a pretty serious place. You have all seen, I'm sure, the launch videos of Quichada and Patu and some of the other places. This was done off the tow, which definitely seems to be the way to go down there.
The Swiss teams and stuff have been doing these huge flights out of Keiko and towing. So yeah, fun story. I think you're going to enjoy it. Before we go. Before we get into it. The one little bit of housekeeping I have is we have finished this transition that I've been talking about in the last few shows to have our own subscription service through the website cloudbasedmayhem.com. Those of you who support the show on Patreon, if you like that platform, I like that platform. It totally works for me. And actually the fees are the best there. So if you like it, stick with it. Stay there. If you're in a country where you're getting slammed with a lot of VAT or something else, come on over to ours. It's just straight critical. And do it through there. The rewards will all be the same. What this gives you access to is all the bonus content, you know, little pieces of when I have these talks, we often cut stuff out.
We put those back in and the bonus content for the ask me anything shows like with myself and Bill Belcourt and others. We're going to be doing more and more and more of those, especially after the X-Alps. A little tricky to do before then. But all the kind of bonus content is available to all of our subscribers. Subscribers mean you support the show in some way. But what that doesn't mean is that you're being locked out because of money. I realize a lot of people can't afford to support the show and I totally get it. There are many other ways to support it. As I say over and over again, you can share with friends and talk about on the way up to launch. But if you have subscribed to our newsletter, if you've bought anything through our store, basically, if you've had any contact with the with the website at all, you should be all set up as a subscriber. I've done that all.
I've done that all manually. I've taken our whole database. I've made you all subscribers. And so you ought to be able to log in and get access to that bonus content, even if you don't support us financially. The hope is someday you'll be in a position to do so and you can do so and become a financial supporter because that's how this all happens. Instead of having all those sponsor stuff in the beginning of the show, you get to hear me, which is hopefully OK. But yeah. Anyway, that's all been done. As always, I so much appreciate the support. Thanks. Thanks for hanging with us. And thanks for enjoying these. And thanks for all your emails. I've got some more great shows coming up. The next one, which will be very close to the start of the X-Alps, would be with Patrick Von Cannell. He's Kriegel's Chrigel is his mentor.
Very talented pilot in his mid 20s. He's competing as a rookie for the first time. So we talk about that. Another fantastic one. And I have a few others on. And we've got a bunch of great shows coming up from around the world. Fantastic folks. Folks who know a lot about this sport. So I think you're going to enjoy it. So, yeah, by the time this lands, I will be on a plane going to Europe. The race is getting pretty close. That's super exciting. And in the meantime, enjoy the show with Marcelo Ochoa.
Marcelo, awesome to have you on the show. I really appreciate it. I became an Instagram follower of yours a few weeks ago. And I was watching you in the nationals. And, of course, watched your big flight this last, I think, October 25th. Congratulations on breaking the world record. We are definitely going to get into that. I have a special attraction to the Sertau. I was down there a couple years ago flying with Rafael and those guys, trying the Tessima thing, which was like the hardest patience game of my life. I have a lot of respect for that place. It's not just like, oh, I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. I think people understand those big flights. It's just flying downwind over the flatlands, and it's no big deal. But the Sertau is very real terrain.
So I can't wait to talk to you about that. But where I thought we'd start is with the nationals that just happened. I was following your pics and stuff, which were beautiful and looked like a cool place to fly. I've only flown the Sertau down there. But how did the nationals go? And hi and welcome. Thank you.
Hi, Gavin. First, thank you for having me here. It's an honor to be talking to you. I always have been listening to your podcasts and being in one. It's such an honor. So thank you. And about the nationals now, it was in Governador Valadares in Minas Gerais. It's a very nice place to fly. I had flown there like only one time, so I have never competed there. It was my first time competing there. The conditions were good, but not like epic, how it's usually there. But it was very good for competing.
Like we have six tests out of seven, right? So great.
God, Brazil is awesome. Six out of seven. And that's just OK. Yeah.
It was nice test. I mean, not so long, like 60. I have one of 80, I guess, and the other 70 or something. But it was some of the tests were very technical because the conditions were not so great. So like we had the cloud base low and some days with like overcast. So I learned a lot and I love to fly.
I love to compete. I think it's one of the best places to learn, to evolve ourselves, like to watch the top pilots and do it the same, you know, and for my results. I was first women. We also got the first team. And overall, I was 27. I was pretty good in the first day. I thought that I would get like between top ten, but I still have a lot to work on it. Like my end game and like the last term or to go.
And but I'm happy with my result because it was like the first comp that I feel like 100 percent. I'm comfortable with my answer, like I'm fully speed and really comfortable. So I think I will improve this year. It's going to be a better year than last year since it's my second year with Enzo. So it's a good thing.
What what what size are you flying on the end? So. Yes. OK, so small size. Where where are you trying to get? I'm assuming you're using a lot of ballast then because I flew the small end of Enzo last year for a period of time when Nivea didn't have a race wing ready. What are you trying to fly it at?
Yeah, I mean, when I started to fly, I used to carry like a lot of ballast, so I gained weight so I didn't have to carry that much. So now I'm carrying like only eight kilos, which is still a lot. But yeah, I mean, it's OK. So I fly with like like nine, nine, seven, nine, eight.
You're up, but not quite at the top. But you're you're trying to be the top third. Yeah. OK. Yeah.
So I kind of liked but I like it this way. I mean, I tried like to fly heavier, but I didn't like too much.
Just you didn't like the feeling on the ground or you didn't like it in the air? No, in the
air, because I think knowing is like it's how can I say, like it's more stiff, but it doesn't let you know too much about what is happening. So when you are lighter, it moves more. But I mean, it warns you more. I know if it's going to have a collapse or anything. I think it's the feeling is better, you know, like the feeling in your hands.
Interesting. I only really ever flew it right at the top. So I probably should have played around with that a little bit more.
Yeah. But
and what wing did you come from before it went before you came to the Enzo?
I had a Zeno before the first time that I went to Sertão, I was with the Zeno. I flew like one hundred and fifty hours with Zeno before moving to Enzo. And before Zeno, I had an M6 and from M6 I wanted to get an Enzo. So I talked to Rafael Saladini, which is like one big friend. And like this, that is I don't need to tell who he is. Right.
No, he's bigger than life. Rafael is amazing. Yeah, he's been on the podcast. He was awesome. I need to get him back.
Yeah, I heard it.
And I mean, he always helped me a lot with questions and everything. He was really good at talking about flying and like he suggests me would be better to fly with Zeno first, like an introduction to a two liner and then move to an Enzo. So I'm very happy that I heard that I listened to him because I think it was like the perfect steps to getting CCC wing, you know?
Yeah. So before we get into your big flight, let's give the listeners a little bit of background on your your history, because this was new to me. I found this out before we started recording, but they had this whole, you know, they've had this whole kind of like zero to hero thing when they wrote you up about your four hundred eleven K record this this fall spring, I guess for you. But and it was, you know, but you actually you've actually been flying for quite a while. You just weren't you were going to school. Is that correct? So you started flying like nine years ago.
Yeah. I started flying in 2010, but at the time I was in college, so I didn't have much time to fly. And then I started a master's degree. And only when I finished this master's in 2015, I finished. So in 2016, I started to focus really on flying. So I was like dating, dedicating a lot to it. And I think it's when I started to see the results.
And at that time I was flying like Skywalk, Chile, you know, and I think it was a really good wing for learning, like because you don't need to to focus on the wing. You only you can focus on the conditions and everything. So I started competing with the Chile. I mean, even before that, my first nationals, I was with the Elos, like it's a B wing from salt gliders. And I only like the all the days I landed, like the foot of the hill, you know, just
straight down.
Yeah. I mean, I didn't even make the start, I guess. But I mean, it was really good to learn. And I mean, when you are with a good pilot, it's when you are learning. I think so. You know, what
was the what was the catalyst to why did you learn to paraglide? What was the reason? What got you into it?
I did a skydiving tandem and I love it. So in 2009 and when I came back to my hometown, I was obsessed with it. I wanted to take a course and everything. And it was so expensive, the skydiving. And I mean, I would have to pay each jump and everything. And in my city, in my hometown at that time, there was no woman flying. And I knew the guys from the paragliding school. And they said, oh, there's no woman fly. If you want to fly, we can teach you for free. And I said, oh, no way. So, yes, I wanted.
And like when my first time, the very first time I took off my feet from the ground, I was like completely in love, you know, and I landed. I looked to the takeoff and like the little persons there. And I looked there and I was, oh, my God, I came flying from there to here. I came flying. You know, I couldn't believe I was crying. You laugh. I mean, at the same time, like too much happiness, you know.
So, yeah, I mean, I felt the love. It was love the first time. The first time.
My my first XC was like six K from the in the Dominican Republic. I was I was starting this big, you know, around the world sailing adventure back then, and I had just gotten kind of hooked on paragliding and gotten my P2. And but I hadn't really you know, I didn't really know XC. I didn't know that what that was really back then when I first learned and so I did this like first little six K flight and I was just oh, my God. The people in the car must have been so annoyed with me. I just flew from there to there.
Yeah, I think like the people in the car, like every big flight or good flight that we do and when we come back and they don't get it. Right. They're like, oh, these people are crazy.
So, OK, so it's love at first sight. Take us through just, you know, give us the short version of how did you decide to how did you go from, you know, spring chicken? Obviously, you're you're getting your master's. So you weren't able to dedicate that much time really to it until 2015. It sounds like. But, you know, how did you go from bug to, you know, breaking the world record?
So
even though that I didn't fly that much, I always dream about the world record. Like this. Yes. Since my first year, like I met Camila, one Brazilian girl that had the record that time in 2010. And there was a pit. I was in my city in 2010. So, like, I met all these great top pilots of the world. And I also met her, who was who is a Brazilian. And she had the record. And I said, oh, my God, it's so cool. I mean, one day I want to be the girl that fly the most, the most in the world. You know, but I mean, it was just like a dream, a distant dream.
And like I had my college and then master's. So it's like the dream. And I kept it in the box, you know. And
what were you studying? Just just to start to break in. But what did you get your master's in?
My master's, I got a scholarship to do it overseas, so I did it in Europe. And it was like a special kind of program. It has most Mondo's it's called. And it's like six months in each country. So I started in France. And then I went to Spain and then Belgium. And then my thesis, I could choose anywhere in the world that I wanted to develop it. And I always and my second great passion are sharks. I love sharks. And I did my thesis about sharks in Bahamas. So it was like a dreaming come true. You know,
that's interesting, because when I when I Googled you and started doing a little bit of research, all kinds of pictures of sharks came up. So now I understand why. So are you are you marine biologists?
Yes, marine biologists. OK,
fantastic. OK, cool. Well, carry on with your story of progression. I just I wanted to find out what you studied.
So and then when I finished the masters, I came back to Brazil. I was going to start a Ph.D. But I thought to myself, if I start a Ph.D. I won't have a PhD. I won't have time at all to fly, you know. And I mean, I thought this is the time to do what I want and what I really dream. And what I so I went to ask my father for help, like if he couldn't help me out for a couple of years to see this paragliding thing would get me anywhere. And he said, yes, for sure. I can help you. And so in 2016, I really started to dedicate in my house.
I changed it to from Chile to M6. Actually, I first I got Kayene as Kayene five. But I stayed with it. I flew only like 20 hours because I lost some weight and I had to change the wing and like all sea wings. And the small size were all the gated D. So I said, OK, so I'm going to get a D and I'm going to get M6. So and then was when I really like started and understand that to fly and cross country, I mean, with Chile, I did many great flights. I did many of 90, 99, but not 100.
I mean, another wing. I got to get to 100.
It was like crazy. I had so many flights of 90, you know, but I couldn't make 100.
But then with M6, I flew a lot, a lot. I mean, I think it's one of the wings I flew the most. And I had like a friend help me out, like flying together. So! I think we improved a lot, like flying together and changing experiences and always trying to join the most competitions that I could, because like I told you, I think it's where you learn the most, you know, even for XC flights, I think you learn a lot in competitions because you are watching the top pilots and you are learning to fly.
You know, you're learning to fly fast. So it's perfect for your pilot evolution, you know. Yeah. And then after that, I went to talk with Rafael about I wanted to get a CCC wing and he told me about the Xeno that I should go slowly so I don't like scare myself or anything like that. And I told him that I really wanted to go to Sertão. And he said, I don't think it's a good idea to go to the first time to Sertão with the CCC wing and your first year, you know. So I yeah, it was really good advice.
I was kind of crazy, I guess.
So I got the Xeno and I flew a lot. I mean, I had the opportunity to go to lots of competitions, including two PWCs, one here near my hometown in Andradas in 2017.
And then I went to the Sertão for the first time with my friends, with two friends, and we were flying first in Quixadá and then we went to Patu. And in that year, in Patu, I flew like 362, which was the Brazilian female record. So I was like so into the world record that I didn't even know, like which one was the Brazilian record female record, you know, because when I landed, I was like my my phone was like with a million messages.
Oh, my God. I was. I was what these people are talking about. I didn't break any record, you know, because I was so into it, like 402, you know, Seiko records. So but I mean, it was a great first year to Sertão. I learned a lot. I learned my focus. My main focus was to fly the whole window, like to fly from dawn to dusk, you know.
And I mean, not caring about the kilometers, only to be able to fly the whole day, which is difficult.
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that's the special thing about that place is it starts working literally almost before the sun comes up, you know, it's just it's just like instantly. I wouldn't say on, you know, in my my experience at Tessima, one was this unbelievable, just incredible how patient you had to be. You know, those guys, when they did the big record, you know, I think it was two flights in thirty nine days. And, you know, there are much more special places in the world than Tessima, Brazil, you know, if you go out there at five thirty and get set up and you don't make it over that first plateau, which was, you know, really hard to do, his base is basically right on the dirt. And that early in the morning and it's blowing, you know, it's like everybody sees the the videos and Kishida, you know, it's blowing hard.
And, you know, if you don't make it over that, you go back to the hotel at eight a.m. You sit there all day and look
at the clouds. Right. Yeah. I
mean, it's just, you know, and those guys, Rafael and Samuel and those guys, one day, you know, they just knew that they weren't on pace, you know, for a really big so they just went and landed and went back. And it was still, you know, it was a decent day. But I just thought, man, these guys are dedicated to this. It's just it's a hard game. It's I would call it type two fun for sure. Well, you know, so the explain. I think
it's like it's not even fun. It's like a mission. Yeah. I would agree.
It's not really that fun. Yeah. Yes. I had a lot more fun when I moved. I had a nice flight from from Tsema to Kishida. And then I just stayed in Kishida the rest of the time. I was I was over it. I'd spent like 11 or 12 days in Tsema and I was like, oh, yeah, Kishida, at least there's a hotel. And I don't know, there's yeah, there's people around that you can talk to.
So, you know, a lot of people have seen the launch videos at Kishida. And it looks you know, it looks pretty serious. Patu, I never flew Patu, but I understand it's kind of the same if maybe not trickier. When you first went there, were you were you pretty reticent? Were you pretty nervous? Because it's you know, it's a little serious.
Yes, I was like really nervous.
So, I mean, I decided to go, but when I got there and I saw like people taking it off, I was like, oh, my God, what am I doing here? You know, it's like I want to go home. And like in the very first day that I was going to fly, like the first day we arrived late. So we went to the takeoff. I wanted to watch. And, OK, I got scared because the takeoffs were especially when it's later. It's worse, you know.
So I went to the hotel, like, think, oh, my God, what I'm doing here. And like the next day that I was supposed to fly, a guy died like in Kishida. Like one. This was like the second person to die there. And unfortunately, I was there. When it happened. So I was like pretty scared and like watching the helicopters coming and rescuing the guy and then after knowing that he was really dead, was like horrible. I really thought about going back home. So I didn't fly like for five days, you know, I was it really affect me, affect me.
I mean, even though that I didn't know the guy, I was like pretty scared, you know, and I didn't tell my parents because I knew that they would like freak out and like two or three days later, my dad calls me like really pissed off and like he used it to work. He worked with the guy one time and he got the news about the guy that he was flying. And, you know, crashed. And my dad was like really mad at me for not telling him. And my mom was like, oh, my God, I will give you anything in the world. So just come home, you know, don't fly there. And I was like with the pressure of my parents and I was scared.
But I said, no, I came to do this and I'm going to do it. I know that I'm prepared to do it. I have been prepared, preparing for it like the whole year, the whole two years. And I was so looking for it. So I'm going to do it, you know. So the first flight was like really, I was really nervous before taking off. And it's like you get there and the guy stays on like on the top of the takeoff and he tells you when to take off.
Yeah. Yeah, it's incredibly intimidating. My first time I went to Quichada, it was like a little bit of a! It was, you know, it was just a normal day. It wasn't it wasn't violent or bad. It was perfect. And and but golly, man, you stand on the top there with 50 other people and everybody's watching and it is watching you. And man, it was like and you can just see you can kind of visualize in your head like, man, if I screw up and get towed into the you know, you can get towed into that where that guy died or you go over the back or, you know, I mean, man, it's intense. Yeah.
Yeah. It's very intense. Very intense. I mean, you have to get like the real the mind like in the right place. Yeah, because if you don't, I mean, it's really hard. But then like this first day to cough was really good. Like the conditions were not like crazy. And I took off really, really early. Like that was like my main goal, like in Quichada. I wouldn't take off. I wouldn't take off after seven. Not at all. Like always like 630 maximum, you know, like 6 630. I was in there. I didn't care because you could take off nicely.
I mean, for there, you know. Yeah. And
the first time I was in that time, it's soft. I mean, it's not turbulent. Right. I mean, the wind is strong. But there are no much thermals yet. So it's calm. And all it's all I wanted just doing like a lift and the big rock. And it was calm, you know. So I was like getting into it and relaxing. So I think it's very good. Like you feel take off early there because it gives you time to understand the condition and to be more relaxed to start the flight because you need to wait until like 730 a.m.
So the cloud base, the cloud base,
it's high enough so you can go back to the take off. Right. So I think this one hour flying there in front of the rock, just feeling the conditions and feeling the lines. Where it sinks and how it is. And I think it's very good. So you can start a good flight. So but from Kishida, I only did like two good flights. I guess one of 200 and another one 240.
And then I have an accident there in the take off.
Oh, no.
Yeah. I mean, I didn't talk too much and I didn't like. Like publish my post my video because I mean, I don't like to post like collapses and this type of things because, you know, like this things go like spread so fast and the good things. No. Right.
Right. Yeah. Everybody perceives paragliding badly enough as it is. We don't need to help.
Yes, sure. So but I mean,
it was been like, I don't know. I don't know, like two weeks I was there. I was already comfortable, you know, and I think like this about the take off. The guy tells you when to take off. It's good, but at the same time, it's not good. But I mean, because I got to the point that I wasn't even look to the wind. You know, I wasn't even,
you know, like analyzing the conditions. So I wanted to just get in the line. And so I was like, I'm going to take off, you know, and this day was pretty strong, was really strong and was kind of cross crosswords. The wind was a little bit from the side, which is I mean, now that I think if I would realize that the time I wouldn't take off, you know, but like I told you, I was not even looking too much at the conditions. I was so automatic, like waking up really early. And before the lines get so big there. So I had like only three guys in front of me, I guess two or three. And they took so long to take off because there were no like lows
that the winds were so
high, like so strong that there were no windows to take off, you know, and
like was getting late and later. And when it was my turn, I sat there like for almost 20 minutes. So to get to get a low. So at this time. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, now that I see it, I see it this way. But, you know, I was so I don't know, blinded and wanted to fly that they didn't care, you know. But I mean, it was too strong. And when I took off, I got like a big collapse from left side from where the wind was coming, you know,
because I left a little loose the the line. It was my mistake because I watch it like a hundred times the video. And it was my mistake. But anyway, I got like this big collapse and my wing like shoots like spinning. And I like when I watch, I'm like like coming back to the take off, like from in front, you know. And so my wing was still closed, like half of it. And I couldn't like hold too much the other side because otherwise I would stall it. Yeah. So I heard it as much as I could. And I just crashed it on the take off.
I was very, very lucky because I crashed it just like beside the rock.
And this was like in my mind for weeks that I was very lucky and I didn't hurt. I mean, I was hurting. I went to the hospital and that night because I had my back hurting a lot. And I was worried that I really had hurt something. But luckily, I didn't hurt was just the pain from the impact. So I stayed one week without flying. And then I decided to go to Patu. I asked my friend, I said, oh, I don't want to fly here anymore. I'm not comfortable. Anyway, let's try another place. And then we went to Patu.
And that was like the best thing I did. Because I really prefer to take off. It's much safer. And because, I mean, it has like a plateau, you know, so even if you fly backwards, you have more space to accelerate, accelerate and escape from the the hill, you know, because Kisha dies to how can I explain is to like a peak, you know, if you fly a little bit backwards, you are riding the lee side, right?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Drops immediately off on the backside.
Yes. And in Patu you have more space to accelerate and see and more like alternative ways to escape the lee side, you know. So I got more comfortable there and there was no many people, like 100 people watching you, were only like five pilots or so. So it was really good in that way, I guess. Yeah. And less
pressure, less stress.
Yes. And I also like the like the route better because you can escape the little hills and you can go like almost flat in the morning, like when the wind is stronger, you know. So I felt safer there. And I did good flights in the beginning. And then on almost the end of the expedition, I did this 362 flight. Like we flew the whole day.
And that was the women's record at the time.
Yeah. The Brazilian. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So
that kind of planted the seed for 2018. You left on a really good note. Nice last one. Yeah.
I didn't want to leave. I was like, oh, my God. I'm so close to 400. I want to stay.
But I had to leave and I didn't have money anymore. So I mean, I spent like one month in Suriname. So did the
did did Seiko have the record at that time? Was it was it her record? Yeah. Australia. Yes.
Yeah. Yeah. Okay. It was for I guess in that year, Joanna did a flight of 400. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if it
was that year or the year before. She was like
102K short or something from the.
Yeah. Yeah. I think she flew like 400 like point zero two kilometers from the record.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We talked about that with her on the podcast. And then I think she went back the next year. She was there the year I was there. She got there right after I left. And but unfortunately, I didn't quite get it that year. So, well, it's so cool that you guys are chasing this. So, okay. So the seed is planted. Is that kind of all you thought about for the next 11 months? Yeah. Yeah.
Almost, you know, because I got home and I was like, oh my God, I need to go somewhere. I want to go to Australia. I want to go to Texas. I don't want to wait 11 months.
Yeah. Like you said. I mean, you know, I when I went down there, I was fascinated with Tessima and watching those guys when they did the big flight and then I got there and I just thought, man, this is a different it's a really different mindset. It is not. I wouldn't classify it as fun at all. Yeah. Yeah. Really, you know, I look to me like when I was there that there were there were a lot of big flights going out of Patu and you know, when I had when I finally did hook into some some good days, both had one from Tessima and then several from from Kishida and it was really fun. But at the same time, I mean, these long drives back all night and just, you know, getting up super early, which I don't mind at all, but it was, you know, you really have to dedicate yourself to this.
Yeah. And I mean,
one month doing that, it's like a bad and you are like, oh my God, I can't take it anymore.
You can't. It's exhausting. And Rafael was telling me that, you know, he was having to call his wife and, you know, it almost sounded like, you know, like she's talking him out of suicide at times. You know, just I mean, they sat there for thirty nine days in Tessima. Yeah. Twice. That is brutal. I mean, there's nothing to do in that town. There's nothing there's nowhere to go. There's not really any food. Yeah. It's like you're sitting
in the hotel in the air condition and waiting for tomorrow. Yeah. You just
wait. And the weather forecast mean nothing, you know. So every day, quote unquote, looks better than the last time. And most of the time you go out there and it's raining. You know, it's not even it's not even flyable. You just go out. I will work. Go back to the hotel. It's awful.
Yeah. It's like a super mission. Right. Yeah.
It's a mission. It's yeah, it's definitely type two. Too fun. So between
2017 and 2018, you know, when you go back. Well, you know what? Actually, I wanted to ask you first about your dad. So I just became a dad about a year and a half ago. And, you know, the thought of supporting my daughter to go paragliding is no, it's something I hope I figure out how to do. But like, when I look at this little person and I understand, you know, when you have a child, your your whole concept of love really changes. You're just like, oh, my God, this is this is, you know, you just I didn't know what love was until I had until I had a daughter, you know, knowing the risks and knowing how dangerous this sport can be. You know, I definitely believe that it can be done safely and we don't have to, you know, expect to crash, you know, is it I'm surrounded by mentors and really good pilots who never have so clearly, you know, that can be done with the right training and the right approach and the right approach to risk.
But something we talk about on the podcast all the time. But, man, I don't know if I could support my daughter to go paragliding. What what is the relationship with your dad? And how did how did you know, does he does he understand the risks? Because it sounds like that was, you know, a big, big move to get his support.
Yeah. I mean, when I first started flying, my mom was like the biggest problem. Like my dad was supporting. I mean, not that much, but I mean, he would understand. But my mom was like crazy. She would like really like trying to convince me to give up. You know, it's like I told you, she would like go like, oh, my God, I will do anything. I'll give you anything you want. You know, name it. Just stop doing it. Just stop flying. And I said, I mean, it's I love it. You know, it's like the biggest
passion, love of my life. I love flying. It's like I can't live without it, you know. So, yeah. So I think they had to like to get used to the idea of me flying, you know. And I think it was like very difficult to them because no one's flight flies here. So my family, my mom is really. She doesn't even. She's
like a little like
in a roller coaster, you know, she's like scared of everything. So I don't know where I got the courage because my dad is also like he doesn't like none of this kind of stuff. So it was pretty different for them, you know. But nowadays they are really supportive, you know. They like. Like when I'm in competitions, they watch the live and it's so cool. Like when I landed, like I have like ten messages of my father, like, oh, go. You are in town. You are. And he goes like he
print screen, you know, and send me like.
So they chanted a lot, you know. Yeah, that's cool. They got used to it. I mean, there was no other choice. You know, I think when if you're your daughter wants to fly, you cannot do much. If she really wants to do it. I mean, you cannot hold her back, you know.
Yeah. Yeah. Cool. Well, so, okay. So you go you go back home. It sounds like you have another kind of big year of training and comps and that kind of thing. You've obviously got this the Sertau in the back of your mind. And maybe other places, Australia and Texas and stuff. But so was it? Obviously, that was the plan. Go back there and break the world record. So let's let's take us back there. I
should I tell you about my year like 2008? Yeah. Yeah. Because it's when I changed the wing like from Zeno to Enzo. And I was the year that I went to the most competitions. Like I went to the Superfinal in Colombia is still with my Zeno in January, which I mean, this was the most like incredible competition I ever have been to it. Like I couldn't believe the level, you know,
speed at the super finals. Just a whole. Yeah. Yeah. Oh
my God. So it's like it's really cool because it opens your eyes. You know, it's like, oh my God, people are flying this level. You know, because only when you were only like in regional and national comps, like you don't have this idea then how good the pilots can be, you know? Yeah.
Yeah. It's amazing.
It was really amazing. And then I went to like lots of PWC's, PWC in Basho Gwandu. And then I went to Bulgaria, Turkey. And I feel. I think in Turkey was like the best place, like a preparation for the Sertan because it was like a desert and it was really, really strong. I got to say, I mean, I think it's even stronger than Sertan.
Yeah. That did look like a strong comp.
Yeah. Because there was no much wind. So like the thermals were crazy strong. Like. Not very organized because I think when the wind helps like to organize the thermals and all. And it was kind of chaotic, you know, in Turkey. Yeah. So it was like a comp like I learned a lot. So I think it was a good preparation for Sertan. And like I was talking with the guys. And I had like the great opportunity to go to Sertan with the best pilots, with the best team.
I went with Rafael Saladini with the team that is the world
record. Yeah.
Rafael Saladini, Samuel Nascimento, Frank Brau and Marcelo Pietro. So I was like with the best pilots in the world.
That is a real gift. You're with the A team. Yeah.
So it was just perfect. We went first to Patu, me, Rafael and Samuel just to train me to fly as a group. Like because it's very different when you're flying in a group and then flying by ourselves. You know, like sometimes you have to wait or sometimes. You have to go lower to keep up with the guys. So. Yeah.
You know what? Let's spend a couple of minutes talking about the tactics of that because we were all we all had a really cool time last summer at Nationals here in the US and flying with Donizete, you know, who spent a lot of time flying with those guys over all those years. He taught us a lot about team flying. And that was just something. We didn't know anything about understand. I mean, I think we kind of understood the theory of it, but we were terrible at it until flying with him a little bit. And he really helped us understand, you know, that that staying at the same altitude and, you know, that the guys that were high left that the guy that was low would have to push out.
And it was it was really interesting how they how they've developed this tactic and how, you know, it really munches. You know, if you do it well, it's just so much faster.
Yeah. I mean, it's like in the competition, you know, if you're flying the gaggle, the gaggle is always more effective than flying by yourself. Right. So it's like a similar idea, but it's different because in the competition you are competing with the guys. Right. But in when you are flying the team, you are flying together, not competing to each. Other. So I think when I first saw them flying together was like, oh, my God, because it's very different from what we are usually to see. I mean, they would go like there was one guy that was lower.
One of the guys that was higher would spiral down and go help the guy to climb, you know, so they would climb together. So they would climb faster. But it was just crazy to saw like one spiral down to help another, you know. So it's like a really helping each other. You can't think only about yourself. It's it's the whole group. It's like Rafael Saladini says, it's like a huge organism and each one. It's a cell. And we have to move all together. So in order to work properly.
Right.
Fascinating. But it's terrific.
Yeah. It's really, really cool to watch them flying. I mean, I learned a lot, a lot with them and it was just perfect. And then.
We finished in Patu. We did good flights there. Actually, there was. One flight that that was a crazy flight because every day I would declare three hundred and seven seven kilometers because I like seven.
Seriously. And then this day I go, OK, I'm going to declare three hundred and eighty. So we went flying and like we flew like ten hours and forty minutes, like almost eleven hours. And when we passed above the three hundred and seventy seven seven, I wanted to kill myself. I said, oh, my God, why did I change it?
Because we were low and it was only me and Rafael Saladini
in his wing and it's XL. Right. Yeah. Yeah. And it's
different. Like
in the end. Yeah. It's like a fail plan.
And we're like in the end of the afternoon and just gliding and all the last glide. And I was, oh, my God, we're not going to get it. Not going to get in. It's like three hundred and seven, eight and getting lower. And there was like a little hill. And there was kind of. Trees and everything. So no landing spots. And the point was like just above this little hill. I was so stupid because I didn't check. Where did I put the point? So, yeah. Oh, my God. So I was going, going, going. No, it's not going to happen. So I can turn it and landed safely in the little village that there was.
And how far I went, like just with the glide that she had, he had, he went like and he did it. Two hundred and eighty. Like right on that. Right on the I put the waypoint.
It was like I was so frustrated. I was, oh, my God, the only one kilometer I flew. Three hundred and seventy nine point three. I don't know.
But I mean, when I landed, like the whole village came to me, like really. There was like 50 people around me. They were so excited and happy and they were helping me to carry my stuff. Like one minute my stuff were like, oh, God, you know. Yeah. Let's pack it here in my home. And you want water, you want coffee, you want to take a shower, you want food. What do you want? Oh, my God.
They're so nice. The people are so nice in the Sertau. It's amazing that
I was kind of frustrated because of the flight. But when after this, all good people came and they were like so good and nice that like the frustration of the flight just disappeared. You know, I was like really grateful just for being there.
Yeah. Yeah. That's a special day. So almost an 11 hour flight.
Yes. Ten hours and 40. Yeah. It was not a very good day. I mean, the wind, the wind was not too strong, you know.
Yeah, sure. Sure. And so you and that was from Patu or that was a tow. Yeah, that was from Patu. OK. And then when did you decide to start towing? Because they've been doing this towing out of Keiko. That's been unbelievable the last couple of years, the whole Swiss team and stuff. And they're just getting these huge flights. So is that why you guys switched to just make it easier to get up?
Yeah. I mean, we wanted to try the tow because, of course, it's easier. I mean, it's much easier. Yeah. I my personal opinion, it's like it should be separated. The records. Sure. Because it's completely different. Like with the tow, you don't have like the pressure to go to the takeoff and you go to the takeoff and like the wind is blowing and the trees are like. You're like, oh, my God, I'm going to fly. Yeah. And it's like in the tow. It's like the wind is not even that strong because you are in the ground level. Yeah. You don't have any compression. Yes. And I mean, there are no
sides, so you can fly backwards. No problem because it's so flat. So and we went to Assu. It's the name of the city in Rio Grande do Norte. And I like it there because the beginning of it, there were many options of landing.
And so it would make you like feel more secure. Like if you even if you are flying backwards, there are many lands. Lenny zones.
So I really like the tow because of that. So you don't have to. Face it. The lee side and really strong winds and the takeoff, you know, because it's it's really easy to take off. I mean, we even would do like reverse launching lunch because we were so used to do it. And the wind was not so strong. So we just put it doing in our head. And the tow just push you and was
just really smooth. You know, I've been watching the some of the Swiss videos. They've been using the Cobra launch a lot, which I don't know why I never that never occurred to me. Like when I was in Australia, we would always just do a reverse. And then, you know, but it was often really windy. It seems like the Cobra is a really nice option.
Yeah, I think it's a really nice option. If the ring is too strong, I think it's a better option. Right. But as I told you, like when we were there, like there was not even one day that the wind was like crazy strong, you know. So as we were more used to take off reverse. So we just did it. And
are they are the guys, you know, Samuel and Marcelo and Raphael. Are they if they kind of given up then on on Tessima because I mean, Tessima is so hard to get going. Is it is it if they kind of is the new thing really towing?
Yeah, I mean, he they they wanted to try to towing because everyone was doing it. And of course, I mean, they told me about this about Tessima. It's really, really long wait. And I think they didn't want to they wanted to enjoy more the time that they were there because they didn't have like 40 days to stay in the third town, you know. They stayed long. Only three weeks, I guess.
Yeah. Yeah.
So yeah, it mean it was the first year trying it and we like it. I mean, but I agree and I think they think the same way about like it should be separate the records because so different foot
launching is just way more sexy. It just is, you know, I mean in Texas, you got a toe and Australia. You got a toe and that I mean there should totally be a different, you know, just different classification. It's just a different it's a different sport.
Yeah, because I mean you have an engine and put you up right? You are not going up only I know by yourself. So I think it's different but it's a good thing. I mean towing because it's safer. So I think everyone should do. Do it because it's safer. No one wants to take risks if you can choose not to take them, right?
Yeah, sure. Sure. Okay. Well being mindful your time. Let's let's hear about the big flight. So how to go down sick is I the report I read from you made it sound like it's pretty pretty tough day blue, you know, not super windy, but it sounded like kind of a tough day.
Yeah, it was. I mean that day that in the beginning the wind was a bit strong, but it was blue. No clouds at all. And so the beginning I was the last to be towing. So I fell and Samuka were the first and then Frankie and my cell and then me. So I was by myself. Like the beginning of the flight. So I had to take risks like to go really low to try to catch up with the guys because otherwise I would be left behind, you know, so the first the first the beginning of the flight.
I was like really low and I was like thinking I was going to land but I said no. No, I need to go. So I was like a little. Bubbles. I was like just turning and going with the wind and not wasting any time, you know, and I was able to catch with Frankie and Cecil. So I was flying with both of them and it was much easier than flying alone. Right. And then in the I think was already 10 a.m. or so. So we met with the other guys with Rafael and Samuka because they like to slow it down so we could catch up with them.
So we were like at one point we were all together and there was also another pilot Sebastian Ospina, you know, yeah, he was also with us. Yeah.
And it was very turbulent. Like I couldn't eat. I couldn't drink water. I was just like just worried about leaving the wing above my head.
Just keep it together. Keep it together. Yeah. I was like at one point I was telling I was trembling with the guys and I was telling them I was oh my God, I can't take it anymore. It's too turbulent.
And then Samuka. He was really nice. And he said, thank you. Think it's only phase. We're going to we're going to pass this, you know, think like later on, you know, just don't pay attention now. Don't be like hook up on this, you know, like to the K. I'll try to not focus on that. And we went flying and flying. And then in Kishida, it was around midday, I guess. The wind got lower, but we had some clouds.
So it was good. But it was turbulent. And at this time, it was me, Rafael and Samuka, Franky and Cecel. And Sebastian was Pina. They were in the front of us. Like, I don't know how many kilometers, but they were faster.
And the guy were trying to help me and fly with me.
And what
had you guys discussed? I mean, you know, I know those guys at this point for sure. They know that they're not on world. They're not going to break the world record. You know, they really watch that stuff. And so at this point, was the mission really like, hey, let's break the women's record. Let's help Marcella break the world record. That's just having fun to fly.
Yes. It's like we made a deal. Like, if it was not possible for them to make the world record, they would help me out. So break the female record. Awesome. So they were like really, really good friends and really helped me. I mean, I can't thank them enough, you know, not only because of the flight, but I mean, everything that I learned from them and flying with them, you know, which was I watched the movie Sequel, you know, like so many times, like I would even know the lines.
So it's your Titanic. Yeah, yeah, sure. I mean, I'm not kidding. I used to know the lines and for me flying with them in the third time only being there and flying with them. It was like a dream for me. You know, I was like, oh my God, I'm here with these pilots flying here. You know, it's just a dream. But back on the flight. So so near Quixada, we had some clouds. So it was kind of good, but it was a special difficult day for me because I felt I wasn't flying good that day. You know, you know, you have some good days and bad days. And there's some days that you don't climb well, you know.
So I think that was one of my days. I wasn't climbing so well. So it didn't really this like
keep distracting me, you know, like I was like, oh my God, I'm not flying. I'm not flying. I was like trying to punish me, you know.
But then I was able to eat only after 2 p.m., I guess.
Because of all the turbulence. Yeah. So after Quixada moving. After Quixada, you know, there's Quixada moving. And it was blue again. And it was like there was an inversion. You could see the thick layer, like milk layer, you know.
And so we thought that the flight was kind of over because it got like super weak. The thermals are weak and it was bad. And it was really difficult. And like out of nowhere, we were like the three. The three of us were very low. And out of nowhere, we hit a thermal like on the east side of a little hill of 80 meters per second. So we climbed it like papers. Like, oh, my God. So we were super happy. Three
pieces of confetti in the wind.
Yes. Yes, exactly. So we were back in the game. So and after that, I did the declared record of 377. This time I declared 377.
But in order to make it, I had to like to go a little bit to the left than our route. So I went by myself. And they stayed on our route. So we I did the waypoint, the 377. And I was so happy. Like I was celebrating already, you know, because it's a world record. And the guys and Rafael goes like, swallow that celebration.
We need to focus on the 400. So forget about this. And focus on the flight, you know. So
you guys are still on radio contact there. They've stayed with the obvious line. You've gone over to hit your declared goal. And then you say, screw it, I'm going to keep going.
No, no, because when I hit it, the declared goal, I was so happy that I was telling in the radio, oh, OK, we did it. We did it. And they were like, no, we didn't do it. We need to focus on the word. We need to focus on the record. Yeah, you are right. You know, because I was getting too excited and not concentrating on the flight anymore. You know. So I focus I forget about the 377. I said, OK, let's do this. We still can make it because it was really a week after the eight meter to second. We didn't get anything strong anymore. So. And I was able to go with them again.
So we were like the three together. But I was lower because I went to the left and then I come back. And then we were like the whole end of the flight, like going like every little bubble and being really, really patient to climb any little I mean, any meter we could climb, you know. And we were very patient because it was very weak. And so it was like 10 kilometers to 402. So I was in 392. I was a thousand meters from the ground. So technically, theoretically, theoretically,
I would know that I had the record. Right. Yeah, sure. And the guys were like almost celebrating. And that time I was the one that said, no, we didn't do it. Yeah.
Hold it together. Guys, hold it together. Let's get this.
Yeah. I'm only going to believe it when I see the 402 in my GPS, you know, for all three because I need to fly one kilometer further. Right. So I wasn't even briefing, you know, like this last in case I didn't even read. Like, so I didn't lose gliding.
Sorry.
So I was.
I was like really excited, but I didn't let myself to be excited. So I was really I wasn't briefing. And when I saw like 403 in the GPS, oh, I just like. I was like, oh, my God, I'm going to freak out. You know, then it was I was crying and crying, crying like a baby.
Oh, my God. We did it. We did it. Like I said so many bad words in the radio. Like
like this was like the explosion, you know, like the moment of like a final. I achieved my goal, like after two years trying and like wanting and dreaming about it and like the moment was unforgettable. You know, I'll always remember that moment. And we were still high. I mean, we managed to flew more seven kilometers. So the total was four hundred and ten and seven hundred meters, almost four hundred and eleven. So the glide ratio was really good because it was almost 20 to one right in the end of the day is very good.
Yeah. Yeah. Special hour. Right. So.
Good. So
we landed together, me, Rafael and Samuka. And I mean, it was really amazing. And I think the most the happiest day of my life, for sure. It's really good when you plan a lot and then finally achieve it.
Did anything change for you after that in terms of like sponsorship or ability to fly more, you know, that was there was there was there much of a shift in what you're able to do?
Yeah, I think for sure the record helped me a lot. Like it put my name in the word and I got sponsors after that. Now I have three sponsors. I mean, not nothing like really big, but with these sponsors, I have the opportunity to only fly now. So now I'm only flying and dedicating to competitions and going this year again to Sertão. And my sponsor, one of them is Spotch, you know, the other one is Navtar.
And the the like my city, the government of my city, my hometown. So it's a good thing. So now I can dedicate myself one more year to and let's see what results I can get.
So what are some concrete things you learned from the boys? You know, when you went back and you're able to hang out with, you know, truly the best of the best, you know, what are some of the mental things? Maybe some of what are the some of the technical things? And then was there any I'm asking too many questions here. I'll leave it at that. Just, you know, what are what are the some of the things that the takeaways that you learned in twenty eighteen that, you know, kind of. What was different from what you learned in twenty seventeen when you're doing it on your own?
Well, the main thing I think it's to flying as a team,
it's not we think it's an easy thing to do, but it's not. It's hard to fly out together. And I really appreciate it, too, that they they teach me how to do it. And of course, I learned a lot about the techniques and I don't know how when you about the the drift of the thermals in certain when I mean, many things, little things that helped me a lot, like constructing overall concept. And also, I think one of the most important things was the mindset. Like I always told me.
And I thought me to.
Because in certain you have many frustrations, right?
So you have to deal with them like if you
be like, how can I say if you are if you let your you down, like the frustrations, if you let them to get you down, you are not go anywhere. You know, you have to learn. You learn with them and see what you did wrong in that day and try to make it better in the next day. You know, if you are hang on on that, oh, I did it that wrong and I'm never going to do it and it's too hard and I mean, you get like super frustrated and you don't even like enjoying the flight anymore, you know, like there was one flight after the.
After. No, it was before my record, but the guys landed early, Rafael, Frankie and Cecel. And it was only me and Samuka, but Samuka was like 10 kilometers, 20 kilometers in front of me, so I was flying by myself this whole flight. And but it was really good day, like it was an epic day. It was really, really good, like clouds since the beginning and really good. And when it was 1 p.m., 1.30, the clouds disappear was just all blue after Kishida Mubin.
And I didn't have the feeling to, you know, to notice and be like, oh, my God. Now I need to hold back. You know, I cannot switch
gears. Yeah.
So I was like from 200 meters from the ground to the ground, like, you know, I got like a sink of 80 meters per second or nine was crazy. And I was like going to the other side and speed fully speeding and nothing working. So I landed at 1.30 p.m. With 313 kilometers. Yeah. 1.30. I was like, oh, my God. Wow. Like I had the pace to do 500.
Yeah. You know,
in that day, Samuka did 495, I guess.
So
that's frustrating.
Yeah, it was really, really, really frustrating. And I mean, I landed in a bad place. I was like in the hot like for hours. And then when I got the rest, the retrieve, we went to get Samuka. So I went to the other side of the world, just watching the clouds. Because after Kishiramobin, the end of the day, there were clouds again. So it was like just little. You just had to survive
for a little while.
Yes, yes, yes.
Yeah, you blew it. Yeah, I blew it.
So I mean, it was good to learn, you know. So that's what I mean. You have to learn with this frustration and see what you did wrong and make it better in the next day. You know.
411 is a massive flight. But in the Sertau, you know, it's pretty common. There's a lot of those. So are you feeling a lot of pressure? Like, you know, you know that that's going to get beaten by another girl who's chasing it really hard. So I guess you've got to go. You've got to go back there pretty soon and defend it. But is there pressure?
I think I don't know. I guess that's not going to be that much pressure this year because I mean, the record is mine. So because last year I was like really pressured because I went to it was my second year. So I was thinking, like, I need to do it, you know.
So I think. This year will be more like relaxed because I would think like it's already mine. So I'll do my best, of course. But and I think it's not a good one for 111. I mean, it's amazing, but I want more. I want way more.
So I'm preparing a lot to it. And for sure, I'll be there like in the beginning of the season, the first day I'm there.
We don't have to. We don't have a lot of we haven't had a lot of women on the podcast. And when we do, you know, I always try to kind of dig into the whole women men thing because I still find I don't know that we've ever really gotten a great answer on why there's so few women and in the sport. And so the gal that kind of that recommended I get you on the show, she thought you might have some pretty interesting perspectives about that. And maybe, you know, like like even after the record wasn't there, there was some kind of awkwardness. Right. With the guys or something. There
were some people talking about that. I only did the flight because I was flying with the guys.
And and like they didn't say this about the guys when they did the flight together, you know.
So we felt like we felt like it was just because I'm a girl, you know. Right. So it's like, oh, she only did it because she was with the guys, you know. But I mean, I was piloting my glider. You know, I was the one like 10 hours under it and like really turbulent because the day of the record was crazy turbulent. So it was not easy at all to do it. And but I mean, it didn't bother me because we hear lots kinds of stuff. So why are so many girls so few girls flying? I don't know, but I feel like sometimes maybe it's because there's so many guys and you are like in a surrounding surrounded by guys.
And sometimes the girls have boyfriends or their father that don't like that they're surrounded by guys. So I hear that a lot, you know, like, oh, my boyfriend doesn't like me to fly with the guy's eyes and I have to fly with him only, you know. And I think I never had I didn't have that. So I always fly with everyone, enjoy with everyone. So I don't know. I think maybe it's still kind of sexist. Um, environment, you know, like, yeah, I mean, totally.
Yeah, because there's for sure, because there's so many guys. And it's like when you are good, as good as them, they are like, oh, my God. If she's doing anyone can do it, you know,
that's not fair. But you're right. Yeah, totally.
Yeah. You know, I get that a lot. So yeah, it's like the guys in this nation. You know, there were so many and those flying and the guys were joking with me. That was like a Marcella effect, because since I started flying CCC wing, the guys were like encouraged to change as well. You know, guys really like
that. I love
it. Sounds like a movie. If she had all answer, we can do it, too. You know,
that's funny. Yeah. Yeah. I think a lot of times that, you know, like the sexism that happens on launch and just that whole I don't know, just guys testosterone thing. I'm not letting anybody off the hook here, but I think a lot of it is just that the numbers are so skewed that, you know, I often don't think it's like conscious sexism or, you know, I think it's just something that, you know, like I was just just out in this community flying training for the last month out in Santa Barbara in California, and there's a lot of women pilots they've really got. They're really encouraging it. And it's you know, it's just it's awesome. Right. And they're good. And a lot of them are really good.
And but there's this, you know, like when visiting pilots come and they're not they don't they're not used to it, they don't see it. You know, they'll they'll be like, oh, are you here to drive the van down? You know, and and they call it out. They've got this like they all use telegram there. It's like WhatsApp, you know, and they and they call out on that in a really nice way. Like, hey, guys, just remember, you know, that if you see a girl on launch or in the van, you know, that's not the question to ask them, you know, let's not assume anything about anybody. And yeah, and it's you know, it's it's it's you know, it's almost kind of like, God, yeah, you need kind of that just easy reminder. But it is weird. It is weird that that's where men's brains like go.
Yeah. You know, it's kind of funny, but it's but I think it's not
conscious as well.
It's what?
It's not I mean, it's an unconscious like they do it without notice. Notice, I think so. I
mean, I'm not trying to let them off the hook. It's just I think a lot of it's just, you know, we just don't see you know, we don't see many women in the sport. And so, you know, there are places certainly like Annecy, where there are more, but still, it's it's still a fraction, you know. And so.
Was there any kind of let down, I guess, afterwards, you know, when we when we chase these things so hard and we dedicate to it and, you know, and and then you get it and then was there any kind of like, oh, well, what what's next? You know, because it's it's the obvious thing is just, you know, to go bigger. But I don't know, it feels kind of fleeting, doesn't it?
Yeah, I mean, I thought that that would be the case, but it wasn't because when I did it, I was so happy and like I told you, it was like the happiest day of my life. And but I still wanted more. I really wanted more like the guys left, like because my flight was like two or three days before we were. Leaving. And so the guys left. But I stayed another week trying to beat the record because, you know, was not enough for me.
The guys thought you should go home. We should go home. You shouldn't fly by yourself here. No, no, no. I said, no, I don't want to go home. I want to fly more, you know, but I was so tired because it was like one month in this routine every day. And. Waking up early and go to the takeoff and check the pace. If it's not good land, come back in, you know, and there I came to a point that I actually slept while flying.
That now that's that's that sounds like the ex-alps to me. Oh, my God. We always get little catnaps in that race where you're just like, whoa, I just fell asleep. Wake up. Wake up.
Yeah, it's crazy. First time that happened to me was like seven a.m. and it was really smooth, like no turbulence at all. And I was going gliding to from one cloud to another. So in this gliding, I slept, you know, and then when I wake up, I was, oh, my God, I can't believe I did that and I can't fly anymore. You know, so that's when I realized, OK, I did what I had to do. So it's time to go back home and wait for next year and to be bigger and better.
It is. Is this now really your life? Are you still practicing marine biology? Is are you still, you know, or is this your job?
No, like now that I have these sponsors, I'm only flying. I gave up marine biology.
Wow.
And do you do you see that? Is there any kind of plan right now or is it just more kind of freewheeling? Just see how it goes.
I kind of have like the whole year planned already. No, I'm talking longer
term. Like, are you you know, are you hoping to make paragliding kind of your living for the foreseeable future or or, you know, is this just a temporary stop? And no, no, no,
no.
I hope that I can make a living out of paragliding. I mean, even if it is like doing tandem flights, I don't know. I mean, I really love flying and I don't know, maybe one day I can go back to marine biology because I also love sharks and I miss them so much. But I guess here in Brazil, the only option that I would have with marine biology would be to start a Ph.D. and a Ph.D. would be like to the dedication would be like exclusively almost. So my flying would be compromised. So I don't want to do that now. So I'm trying to do my best and see if I can do it.
I can make a living with paragliding. And if I came to a point that I see that there is no way to keep going, come back to marine biology or do something else, let's see.
I was at a comp in Macedonia last year where a very good friend of mine came up and said, you know, I worry that you want it too much, you know, and it hit me in an interesting way. You know, I think often we fly our best and we you know, we we crunch the kilometers the best when we're really relaxed and in like in a different zone, especially at the comps. You know, like if you really want to win and you're really, you know, you don't fly very well, I mean, at least at least a lot of people on the show have said that. And I know I'm like that, you know, when I when I had my record here, you're the same.
Yeah. I mean, when I had my record here the day before had been my personal best and I, you know, I'd slept like three hours, you know, because I got home super late. It was a long, long retrieve. And, you know, and my my buddy called from the top of the mountain and said, hey, I think today is even better. You know, I was going home to go to bed and and, you know, I went and got a bottle of oxygen and because we fly really, really high here and I raced up the hill and I was, you know, like an hour off the back. And it just happened. It was a really windy day and it was a really kind of on the edge, actually quite scary day. But, you know, I think in any normal circumstances, I would have just it was a scary day. I probably very much I should have landed. But the reason it went so well is because I was so tired and I was so relaxed.
You know, I was getting these huge blowouts because it was incredibly rough that day and I just didn't care. I was, you know, like my heart rate didn't even go up. I don't think it was just I was just kind of like in that zone where you're like super calm about everything. And I think normally if I'd been in my normal headspace, I never would have pulled it off. And I don't know. Do you know what I mean? It's it's I think there's a danger of making it like so serious about it rather than so relaxed about it. I mean, I'm convinced that's why Chrigel is so dominant in the X-Alps is because he's so much more relaxed when he's doing it than the rest of us. He's he's he knows he has those moves. He knows what he can do.
He knows what he's capable of. But he's also just very calm. Yeah.
Yeah, I totally agree. I mean, not only for the cross country flights, but also in competitions. But like the first year in Sertão, I was so into numbers because I mean, I wanted to to beat the record. So I was looking at the distance from takeoff, like from minute to minute. You know, it was too much. So. And as my goal was only to fly the whole day, I remove it. The distance from takeoff from my GPS.
So I couldn't see it, you know, because I was too much.
Great idea.
Yeah, I was too much into it, you know, and I was like, my goal is not about the numbers. My goal is to fly the whole day. So I'm going to remove it and I'm going to enjoy it because I like to fly. So I will enjoy. I enjoy the flying and not worry about how many kilometers I flew, you know. So it was the day that I did the day that I flew the whole day and did the Brazilian female record. So I think. That's a
very small shift. That's a big difference, isn't it? I like that. Big difference. Yeah. And I
think also in competitions when I'm the most relaxed, when I'm not caring about it, it's when I'm good at when I'm too worried and wanting to win. I do something that it's going to get me lower. I'm not going to climb well. And you know, it's it's crazy.
Marcella, that's a great place to end, not only because that's a nice ending, but also because my little one just woke up and it's about to get really loud here. You can probably hear her in the background. She gets pretty excited in the morning. So what a pleasure. It was really nice to hear your story. I wish you the best of luck. It's amazing to be able to make a life out of paragliding. So what a gift. Just keep I can tell you're very excited about it. And that's that's terrific. So keep charging. I wish you the best of luck. And I hope we you and I actually meet flying someday. I'm sure we will. It's a small little world.
Yeah. Thank you, Gavin, for everything. Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you. So it was a great pleasure to meet you. And I also hope that we can fly one day together. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank
you. Good luck. And we'll talk soon.
I hope you enjoyed that. Always fun to sit down with these great pilots in different parts of the world. Super inspiring. As always, all we ask for. Is a buck a show. If you're getting something out of the cloud based mayhem, there are many ways you can support it, either financially through PayPal and soon to be just directly through our website, we'll have details of that up pretty soon. But if you can't support us financially, we totally understand this will remain free as long as we can do it. But you can support it in many other ways. You can give us on a rating on iTunes or Stitcher or however you listen to your podcast. That really goes a long ways. You can blog about it on your own blog. You can post about it. You can share it on social media. Share it with your friends. Talk about it on the way to launch. I know many, many of you are doing that. I really appreciate it. And another way you can support us is through our store.
We've just got a whole new load of awesome Patagonia T-shirts for men and women and a whole new box of super style. The trucker hats by recaps. Each one is totally unique. Got a whole bunch more colors that seem to be more in favor. So go to cloudbasedmayhem.com. Click on the store link and get some cool swag. That's another great way to support the show. But yeah, get behind us. We're doing this directly just through you instead of sponsors, because I just can't stand having that whole sponsor thing at the top of the show. And I want you to know that it's an authentic conversation. It's just opinions and they're not being skewed by advertising dollars, which I think is a pretty toxic thing that's happening going on right now
globally with all the stuff going on with Facebook and others. So anyway, we'd like to do a direct. We appreciate your support and we'll see you on the next one. Cheers.
Cheers.