Jochen’s Parachute Saved His Life — Now He Needs Our Help

[00:00:00]I'm just saying one of my friends has come down on their parachute.

[00:00:09]I was going to land, but I don't fancy landing down there safely.

[00:00:13]I have pressed the SOS button.

[00:00:18]I've pressed a button that will mark my position.

[00:00:22]So, you know where to send the rescue.

[00:00:25]Don't know what happened.

[00:00:27]It looked like the glider was broken.

[00:00:29]>> During the recent French and Spanish National Championships, something happened that every pilot dreads.

[00:00:36]The conditions were extremely turbulent.

[00:00:39]And as you can see here from my own flight, where a sudden nose dip put me in fear of being in a tumble as well, forcing me to leave the area immediately.

[00:00:48]Shortly before that moment, my friend Jochen suffered a full structural tumble. His hang glider was completely destroyed.

[00:00:57]Thankfully, he managed to deploy his emergency parachute. And by some miracle, he walked away with only minor cuts and bruises.

[00:01:06]I've been flying for 28 years, and in almost three decades, I've only seen an accident like this twice.

[00:01:13]Modern hang gliding equipment and safety standards are exceptionally high, making events like this remarkably rare.

[00:01:21]But when the extreme unexpected happens, the consequences go beyond just physical relief.

[00:01:27]Jochen is a cornerstone of our flying community.

[00:01:31]He's one of the top pilots in the world, someone who gives back tirelessly, whether setting race routes or advocating for safety protocols that keep the rest of us safe.

[00:01:42]Competing at a high level takes immense personal sacrifice.

[00:01:46]While top pilots dedicate their lives to the sport, they're not backed by massive sponsorships.

[00:01:52]A lost glider isn't just a minor setback. It's a devastating financial hit that can instantly halt a pilot's ability to fly.

[00:02:01]That's why I've set up a fundraiser to help Jochen replace his equipment and get back in the air.

[00:02:07]To my fellow pilots, if you were in this position, you know how much a supportive community means.

[00:02:14]To non-pilots watching, if you've ever wanted to support someone who gives everything to their passion and community, then this is a chance to make a tangible difference.

[00:02:24]Every bit helps.

[00:02:26]Please check out the link below, share this video, and let's get Jochen back where he belongs, in the sky.

[00:02:33]Thank you.

[00:02:35]>> Won't you fly dreamer?

[00:02:39]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Dreamer.

[00:03:24]Won't you fly >> [music]