2015 US PARAGLIDING TEAM

The 2015 US Team will be traveling to Roldanillo, Colombia in Janruary to compete in the World Championships (a.k.a. "The Worlds"). The Worlds are held every 2 years, and the best pilots from each country battle it out for their spot on the podium. The level of the competition at the Worlds is amazing. The US Team is selected based on the performance of US Pilots in competitions over the last 2 years, and this ranking is called NTSS, or National Team Selection System. You can view the current NTSS rankings by visiting USHPA.aero. The 2015 Team consists of the following four Pilots plus the team leader.

Josh Cohn

Josh Cohn is perhaps the most accomplished pilot in the US competition scene. Josh has been at the top of the field for as long as anyone and continues to rule the skies. If you are at a US competition, you will likely see most pilots following Josh before and after the start of the race. As Nate Scales puts it, "People have been following J.C. for two thousand years". Josh has competed at more World Championship events than any other U.S. Pilot.

2014 US NTSS Ranking: 1

Current World WPRS Ranking:176

Age: 41

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 70kg

Hometown: El Cerrito, CA

Birthplace: San Francisco, CA

Education: Masters, Geology

Occupation: Buyer, Independent Music Distributor

Local Paragliding Club: BAPA

Favorite US PG Site: Chelan, Washington

Home Paragliding Site: Dunlap?

Favorite World PG Site: Roldanillo

Sponsors: Eagle Paragliding, Flytec USA

Year Started Flying: 1989

Glider at Worlds: Ozone Enzo 2

Harness at Worlds: Woody Valley X-Alps GTO

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
2014 US Paragliding National Championships 2nd place
2013 Monarca Open 1st Place
2012 Chelan XC Open 1st Place
2012 Rat Race 2nd Place
2011 Rat Race 2nd Place
2012 PWC Superfinal, Valle de Bravo 5th Place
2011 Paragliding World Championships 4th Place
2010 Chelan Paragliding World Cup 1st Place
2010 Monarca Paragliding Open 2nd Place
2008 Pre-Worlds Mexico 4th place
2007 World Championships 8th place
2004 World Championships Portugal task 5 winner
1999 US Paragliding Champion

Eric Reed

Pound for pound BADGER is the toughest animal in the paraglidng kingdom. Period. Enough said.

2013 US NTSS Ranking: 2

Current World WPRS Ranking: 44

Age: 22 in badger years

Height: 5'6

Weight: 150

Hometown: New Jersey

Birthplace: a deep dark hole

Education:Bachelors degrees in Cognitive Science & Biology

Occupation: Paragliding & Software

Local Paragliding Club:Bay Area Paragliding Association

Favorite US PG Site: Telluride, CO

Home Paragliding Site: Dunlap, CA

Favorite World PG Site:Himalayas

Sponsors: Eagle Paragliding, Niviuk, Sup Air

Year Started Flying: 1997

Glider at Worlds: Ozone Enzo 2

Harness at Worlds: Woody Valley X-Alps GTO

Instruments: Flytec 6030 Garmin 76s, Android

Achievements:
Longest bivy flight in World (2010, 1182 km)
Longest bivy flight in US (2012, 663 km)
2011 US Paragliding Champion
2003 US Paragliding Champion
2011 1st Colombian Open
2010 1st Sun Valley Nationals

Nick Greece

Nick Greece, a man with innumerable talents, is tough to define. Poet, world traveler, philosopher, rap impresario, big game hunter, philanthropist, contortionist, ladie's man, man's man, nick is one of the great enigmas of our time. On an average day our USHPA magazine editor might spend his time fishing off his porch, slaying trophy grizzly bears, or saving the children of impoverished countries. Despite his many pursuits Nick still found time last year to set the National foot launch distance record and completed the longest vol biv expedition ever in the USA.

2011 US NTSS Ranking: 3

Current World WPRS Ranking: 453

Age: 37

Height: 6'

Weight: 185

Hometown: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Birthplace: Ohio

Education: Beloit College, Wisconsin

Occupation: Editor for the USHPA Magazine

Local Paragliding Club: Jackson Hole Free Flight Club

Favorite US PG Site: Jackson, Chelan, Sun Valley

Home Paragliding Site: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Favorite World PG Site: Aravis, Piedrahita, Colombia

Sponsors: KAVU, KEEN, Ozone, Flytec, Goal Zero, Sharkies

Year Started Flying: 2001

Glider at Worlds: Ozone Enzo

Harness at Worlds: Woody Valley XAlps GTO

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
2014 US National Champion
2014 Longest paraglider flight by an American, 419km 2012 3rd Place Rat Race/US Nationals
2012 2nd Place Chelan
2011 1st Place Rat Race
2011 Paragliding World Cup Americas Champion
2011 Paragliding World Cup Colombia 7th place
2010 Paragliding World Cup Chelan 2nd place
2010 Paragliding World Cup Americas Title 2nd place
2010 US Nationals Series 2nd place
2009 US Nationals Series 3rd place

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson is a self-confessed paragliding addict, he even sold his dental clinic to chase his flying dreams. As a relative rookie in the competition scene, He placed an impressive 3rd overall at his first PWC in Argentina. Having flown in the Pre-worlds in Colombia last year, Jared is ready for battle.

2014 US NTSS Ranking: 4

Current World WPRS Ranking: 112

Age: 44

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 198 lbs

Hometown: Medford, OR

Birthplace: Bend, OR

Education: Doctorate

Occupation: Dentist

Local Paragliding Club: Rogue Valley Hang/Paraglider Assoc.

Favorite US PG Site: Chelan, Woodrat

Home Paragliding Site: Woodrat, OR

Favorite World PG Site: Valle de Bravo, Roldanillo

Sponsors: Eagle Paragliding, Thermaltracker Paragliding

Year Started Flying: 2007

Glider at Worlds: Ozone Enzo 2

Harness at Worlds: Woody Valley X-Rated 6

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
2014 PWC Argentina: 3rd place

Brad Gunnuscio

Brad Gunnuscio has developed the reputation to be known as the best all-around paraglider pilot in the United States. Brad possesses top notch acro skills in addition to his skills in the area of cross country competition. Brad was crowned the US National Paragliding Champion in 2009 after his win in Dunlap, CA and a strong showing at Inspo in Provo, Utah. Prior that year, Brad was a member of the 2009 US Paragliding Team in Valle De Bravo, Mexico where he won Task 2. Winning a task at the World Championships is an achievement very few get to experience.

2015 US NTSS Ranking: 5

Current World WPRS Ranking: 59

Age: 37

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 202 lbs.

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Education: College of Paragliding

Occupation: Paragliding Instructor

Local Paragliding Club: UHGPGA

Favorite US PG Site: Chelan, Washington

Home Paragliding Site: North Side Point of the Mountain

Favorite World PG Site: Wherever the weather is good

Sponsors: Eagle Paragliding, Flytec USA, Paraglide Utah

Year Started Flying: 1996

Glider at Worlds: Ozone Enzo2

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
2011 Roldanillo Open 2nd Place
2010 Monarca Paragliding Open 1st Place
2009 United States Paragliding Champion
2009 Dunlap US Nationals 1st Place
2009 World Championships Task 2 Winner
2009 Monarca Open 3rd Place

2015 US TEAM LEADER

Matt Beechinor

Matt was a member of the 2009 US Paragliding Team and will use his years of competition experience to help the team achieve their best results in Colombia.

Matt Says: "As President of the U.S. Paragliding Team I hope to help raise funds so the team pilots can enjoy this experience they have worked so hard to earn. I will make sure the team is ready for battle, and support them so they can focus on the flying."

Hometown: Sun Valley, ID

Birthplace: Wenatchee, WA

Education: B.A.

Occupation: Paragliding Guide, Tandem Pilot, Carpenter

Local Paragliding Club: Sun Valley Paragliding Club

2015 Red Bull X-Alps

The Red Bull X-Alps is the world's toughest adventure race, a bold claim, but one it surely deserves. The concept is a simple one. Athletes must race from Salzburg to Monaco, by foot or paraglider, a straight-line distance of approximately 1,000km. Its simplicity is something that has attracted and tested to the limit some of the world's top adventurers over the last 12 years. Among adventurers, it's known as the ultimate race. It's an incredible challenge, demanding not only expert paragliding skill but extreme endurance. Some athletes will hike over 100km in a day and will have covered over 900km on foot by the time the race is over! Each team consists of one athlete and up to two supporters. No technical or outside assistance is allowed. The support team is just there to help with logistics, food and mental help. For the fans following the action live, the seventh Red Bull X-Alps promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of action. The USA will represented this year by three teams. USA-1, althlete Honza Rejmanek with supporter Jesse Williams. USA-2, Athlete Gavin McClurg with supporter to be announced. USA-2, Athlete Dawn Westrum with supporter to be announced.

Honza Rejmanek USA-1

Honza has been specifically designed to compete in the Red Bull X-Alps, one part mad scientist, one part pure animal. His birdlike flying abilities combined with his master’s degree in atmospheric science that he obtained from UC Davis gives him a unique ability to maximizing the flying days in this brutal race. On those race days that require athletes to cover massive amounts of distance on foot Honza excels, he eats pain and suffering for breakfast, he thrives on it. After a podium finish in 2009 and multiple top 10 finishes he is more motivated than ever to land on that raft in Monaco.

Age: 39

Height:6'1"

Weight: 175 lb before the X-Alps, 165 after

Hometown: Davis, CA

Birthplace: Prague, Czech Republic

Education: Masters in Atmospheric Science

Occupation: Atmospheric Scientist

Local Paragliding Club: BAPA

Favorite US PG Site: Sun Valley, Idaho

Home Paragliding Site: Berryessa

Favorite World PG Site: The Alps

Sponsors: US Pilots and Enthusiasts who support the U.S. Paragliding Team, TAKA UP Paragliders, Sup-Air, Black Diamond, Hammer Nutrition, Foundation for Free Flight, GoFly Project, Atlanta Paragliding, Eagle Paragliding, Super Fly Paragliding, Seattle Paragliding, Orthovox, XC-Skies, Brave Soldier

Year Started Flying: 1993

Glider: UP Trango X-light 2

Harness: Sup Air XA13

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
Top ten last three X-Alps with a podium finish in 2009

USA-1 / Honza Rejmanek Supporter

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams, 35, first took and introductory paragliding course in New Zealand in 2000. Since this first flight, Jesse embraced carrying the heavy gear up mountains. He attributes hiking heavier gear up the mountain frequently with pushing his fitness to top level in spring 2011 when he placed first in the Sun Mountain 50k trail race (4h 28m). Jesse is thrilled to be part of the X-Alps as a supporter this year and is hoping to bring flying knowledge as well his trail racing background to this great competition. Jesse is expecting to put in a lot of tough miles doing foot support and is eagerly awaiting the ultimate competition of strength, strategy, endurance, and flying skill."

Hometown: Bellingham WA

Birthplace: Mount Vernon WA

Education: Associate degree in nursing

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Local Paragliding Club: Northwest Paragliding Club

Gavin McClurg USA-2

World-class adventurer Gavin McClurg spent over a decade sailing around the world – and may be the only person ever to learn to paraglide while living on a boat. With some of the longest vol-bivvy flights in the world under his belt – and the North American foot launch record of 387km in one day – he's ready for the Red Bull X-Alps. To learn more about Gavin, check out his blog www.cloudbasemayhem.com

Age: 42

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 155

Hometown: Sun Valley, ID

Birthplace: Vista, CA

Education: Bachelors, Business

Occupation: Owner, Entrepreneur, dreamer

Local Paragliding Club: Sun Valley

Favorite US PG Site: Sun Valley!

Home Paragliding Site: Sun Valley dammit!

Favorite World PG Site: Sun Valley for crying out loud!

Sponsors: Patagonia, Niviuk, GoPro, Sup’Air, Smith Optics, NocoXGrid, Klymit, Pocketfuel Naturals, Patagonia Provisions, SteriPen, BlackDiamond Equipment, Flytec

Year Started Flying: 2006

Glider: Niviuk IcePeak 7

Harness: Sup’Air

Instruments: Flytec 6030

Achievements:
2014 Longest connected flight log (vol biv) in the world? (Mackenzie to US border)
2014 2nd Place, Pre Worlds (Colombia)
2013 North American Foot Launch Distance Record (387 km)
2012 Longest North American Vol-Biv (Sierras)

Dawn Westrum USA-3

Dawn can't seem to figure out which sport to pursue, so she tries them all. Triathlete turned adventure racer, she has completed hundreds of races including marathons, ultra marathons, Ironman triathlons, expedition races and even a hundred mile run. Add paragliding to the mix and it's a recipe for a female comeback in the 2015 Red Bull X-Alps. Dawn has been paragliding for 6 years and loves the challenge of XC, as well as having fun doing lots of top and side hill landings on South Side of the Point of the Mountain! Combining her love of running with paragliding is the ultimate challenge.

Age: 36

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 135

Hometown: Draper, UTAH

Birthplace: Boone, Iowa

Education: Bachelors, Humanities

Occupation:Nutritionist and House Flipper

Local Paragliding Club: UHGPGA

Favorite US PG Site: Inspo, Utah

Home Paragliding Site: Point of the Mountain, Utah

Favorite World PG Site:Iquique, Chile

Sponsors: ?????????????

Year Started Flying: 2009

Glider: Ozone Delta 2

Harness: Woody Valley X-Alps GTO

Instruments: Flymaster Nav

Achievements:
2015 Red Bull X-Alps Participant
2014 Point Rat Series 1st Place Overall
2013 Open Distance Nationals Utah, 3rd Woman
2013 Rat Race Sprint, 3rd Woman