Extract from Tom's X Alps athlete profile:
For full information see the official website

TOM PAYNE (GBR2)
Age: 33
Lives: Knighton, Wales (??)
Marital status: Single
Profession: System Administrator
Glider: AxisPara custom ultra-lightweight Venus II Helmet: Plusmax
Other sponsors: Axis Para UK, Les Grands Espaces (Annecy)

When did you begin paragliding?
Back in 1996 after seeing paragliders during a mountaineering expedition to Chamonix. As soon as I returned to the UK, I signed up for a course and the following year when I returned to the Alps, I took a paraglider with me.

What does paragliding mean to you and your life?
Paragliding is my life. When I'm not doing it, I'm dreaming about it, planning my next adventure. In the spring I fly cross country, in the summer I fly competitions. Autumn is dedicated to paralpinism (hike and fly, usually from high peaks), and the winter is spent speedriding, eagerly awaiting the first spring thermals. If it's raining I'm writing articles for magazines, planning flights or just hanging out on the internet forums.

Where are your favourite paragliding spots and why?
Top of the list has to be Chamonix in the French Alps. In this awesome mountain theatre you can practice all aspects of paragliding, from riding the ski lifts to speedflying to climbing and flying from the highest peaks in Europe. Where it really comes into its own, however, is the spring XC season. The Southeast facing slopes of the Aiguilles Rouges mountain chain generate powerful thermals even early in the day, opening the door for huge cross country flights through some of the most beautiful terrain on earth. However far you fly, it is the early evening returns to the Chamonix valley and the west-facing slopes of Mont Blanc that make for the most breathtaking moments in free flight. Soaring amongst the majestic red granite pinnacles and pure white snow at 4000m is simply beyond words.

What are your best and worst paragliding memories?
The best moments are invariably shared over a long and special day, be it climbing with close friends in the last thermal before goal, or playing in the last filaments of lift as the day draws to a close. The worst moments are those that threaten that: an injured friend.

What is your biggest sporting success?
The year 2008. In this year I finished sixth overall in the French XC league (in 2007 I was also sixth overall) with nine 100km flights from several different sites throughout the French Alps. I was selected for the British Paragliding Team and finished top British pilot in the international XContest. I also ran a 3hr 10min marathon and finished in the top 15% of the CCC Ultratrail running race: 98km with 5600m of height gain all off-road day and night in under 20 hours.

Why does the Red Bull X-Alps interest you?
The pure challenge of the world's toughest adventure race. It demands skills in so many areas: the finesse, intelligence and tactics of a world class paraglider pilot and the endurance and determination of an ultra-marathon runner.

What will be your strategy during the race?
Although I have neither the paragliding skill of Alex Hofer nor the running endurance of Toma Coconea, I feel that I have a good balance of both. This means I can pull out the big flights if the weather permits and lay down the hard miles on the ground if it doesn't.

What do you think will be your weaknesses?
There's a risk that I'll push too hard in the early part of the race.

The Red Bull X-Alps is no picnic; how will you cope with two weeks of pain and exhaustion?
With pleasure! Pain is almost by definition unpleasant at the time, but the sheer scale of the endeavour makes it all worthwhile. Throughout my training any temporary pain has been banished by on each step simply saying "Red Bull X-Alps, Red Bull X-Alps..."

Supporter:
ALEX RAYMONT
Age: 36
Lives: Vancouver, Canada
Marital status: With a long-term girlfriend
Profession: High Rigger, Surveyor, Ski Technician

How long have you known each other?
Four years. We met at a paragliding competition in Laragne, France and have since flown and climbed together in the Alps. Alex is a former Canadian National Paragliding Champion, has flown throughout the Alps and has just completed a 1000km canoe trip through the wilds of Canada.

Why will he make a good supporter?
Not only does he have the depth of paragliding knowledge and skill to make the critical strategic decisions, he also knows what is required to successfully complete long distance endurance events. I'm totally honoured to be in a team with Alex.