Carlo Borsattino

The Mantra M7 fits well in Ozone's paraglider range midway between the Delta 3 (EN C) and the Zeno (two-liner EN D). What's it like to fly, and who should buy one?

Carlo had the opportunity to try out the X-ALPS4. Like its predecessor, X-ALPS4 is an ultralight 3-liner with 6.99 aspect ratio, nylon wires, complex internal design, and certified EN/LTF D. Skywalk explain that they deliberately chose a 3-line concept for the X-ALPS4 because they feel this is currently the best symbiosis of high performance, low weight and ease of use. "The X-ALPS4 is not only for the athletes of the 2019 Red Bull-X-Alps... but also for all XC pilots looking for a performant and extremely well-balanced racing wing."

I was excited when PHI released a lightweight version of the TENOR. The original wing (also a low B) has impressive performance, nippy handling and great passive safety. How does the new TENOR LIGHT compare to the full fat version? I flew it in the UK winter and then for 30 hours in Colombia in a wide spectrum of flying conditions whilst leading a cross country paragliding tour, which gave me a great opportunity to test the responses and compare it with other current wings. Is it any good? Let’s find out.

The Supair SKYPPER 2 has everything else you’d expect from a top of the range harness: two reserve containers, thick 18cm back protection, generous storage pockets, a wide instrument cockpit and removable panel, and drogue chute pockets on both sides. It is a slightly different take on the competition harness that makes it more appealing to a broad range of experienced XC pilots.

The Gin BONANZA 2 makes it clear, it’s aiming for Sports Class, and the EN C rating leaves no room for misunderstanding: it’s only suitable for experienced pilots. It looks especially clean, high aspect and racy. Is it too hot? Carlo Borsattino tests the wing in a range of conditions in Tenerife and the UK to analyse the handling and features.

The Supair STEP is a 'high B' suitable for pilots with some experience wanting to 'step up' from their first wing or progression wing into the top part of the EN B category focused on XC flying. Carlo and Nancy flew the wing in a range of summertime conditions in the UK, with some good thermals and quite choppy conditions that gave the STEP a good testing.

The TENOR (EN B) is bigger brother to the SYMPHONIA ('super-high A'), which the Flybubble Crew are extremely impressed with, so we were excited to try out this new Hanesh Papesh design billed as a ‘kick-ass’ wing. Carlo Borsattino tested it in exceptionally summery conditions in the UK.

The Kortel Kanibal Race II has all the features you’d expect from a modern competition harness. Two reserve containers (one on each side) that are very neatly integrated. Removable full-size flight deck. Drogue chute pocket (ambidextrous). Ratchet pulleys. Aerodynamic tail fin, ballast storage. But most of all: supreme comfort and control.