Speed Flying & Wingsuit Flying - Video Footage to Take your Breath Away

If you are reading this, don’t tell your mother.  She will probably have palpitations at the thought of speed flying, let alone the fact that you are reading this and perhaps even considering having a go yourself.

The best way to describe this fairly new sport is visually.  The video above which will have your chin meeting the floor is Alain Montant, sliding down the lines of a cable car in Chamonix.

The words mad fool spring to mind, followed quickly by give me a go!


It is also known as ski-base and speed riding.  Here, Mattias Giraud displays his skill with a Ski-BASE triple backflip captured in 960p that has to be seen to be believed.  Hold on to your hats. It is almost as if there is a switch in your head that you have to click in order to get in to the mentality to do this thing - and this video imagines it in exactly that way.


As winter sports go this is a long way from being accepted at the Olympics as it is considered way too dangerous.  It was created by skydivers and paragliders who were looking for new sensations – and they certainly got one too.  They wanted to create a link between gliding through the air and gliding by ski.  They got it right.  The sport has now developed.  Where once the paragliders modified their own equipment, now you can buy SpeedFlying wings and gliders.


Here is a compilation of the progression from skiing to skiflying.  You have to wait a minute or two but then the videos of these guys simply propelling themselves off the edge of cliffs is something awesome - you have to see it to believe it.


Ultimately, you might think, who needs skis - or snow for that matter.  Come forth the new generation of  wingsuit flyers who are ready to take things to the next level.  This is a collection of shots from flights made by guys called Robert, Jean Noel, Ludo and Halvor during the 2009-2010 season, while flying the V3 and testing several new V-series wingsuit prototypes around Europe.  Holy cow.

Gary Speed Appointed Wales Manager

The Welsh Football Association has announced that Gary Speed has taken up the vacant position as the National team coach, Speed’s club Sheffield United gave the Welsh FA permission to speak with Speed and the former international player was selected ahead of Chris Coleman, John Hartson, Brian Flynn and former Sweden manager Lars Largerback to the position.

Gary Speed’s only management positon has come within the last four months at Sheffield United, many will feel that he may lack experience at coaching level and Speed's first task will be to help get Wales off the foot of their Euro 2012 qualifying group.

Speaking on his appointment, he said: "It's something that's very difficult to turn down when your country comes calling. I'm a very proud man at this moment to be asked to be the manager of Wales."

On Leaving from Bramall Lane, he said: "These things happen in football, where the timing's not always great.

"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United because I feel I had a job to do there and was fully committed but obviously when your country comes calling it's a tough decision you have to make. I feel in my heart it's the right one.

"To be fair to them they've been fantastic throughout and made the decision really easy for me.

"I'd like to thank Sheffield United for the opportunity I've been given there both as a coach under Kevin Blackwell and then as a manager."