GILGIT: A French team has set a paragliding ‘world record’ by flying over 8,000 meters in the Karakoram mountain range this summer.

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the French paragliders set a paragliding world record in Pakistan, soaring above the summit of Broad Peak to a maximum altitude of 8,407 meters.

The seven-member French team, including Antoine Girard, François Ragolski, Julien Dusserre, Sébastien Brugalla, Alexandre Jofresa, Fabian Buhl and Guillaume Omont, had arrived in Skardu on May 25. In his social media post, François Ragolski said: “We had the privilege to break the paragliding altitude world record in July this year.”

Antoine Girard said: “We spent 18 days in Baltoro to make this flight a success.

“There were very strong conditions, requiring serious commitment. On the day of the summit there was 70kmh of wind.

“We passed over the summit on our sixth attempt at the mountain. The flight to and from Broad Peak is around 80km.”

He said he also had the opportunity to summit Spantik peak (7,027m) in one day.

This is considered the highest flight of the history of paragliding.

During their two-month stay in Gilgit-Baltistan, the French team flew from Rakaposhi (7,788m) Diran (7,266m) and Spantik (7,027m).

The team also successfully flew from four different peaks at altitudes between 5,000 and 6,000 meters. The paragliders thanked the Pakistani government, the military and the citizens for their support.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2021