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Chrigel Maurer (Eagle of Adelboden)
Christian “Chrigel” Maurer, born in 1982, is a renowned Swiss paragliding competitor and endurance athlete. Widely known as “Chrigel the Eagle” or the “Eagle of Adelboden,” he boasts an impressive list of achievements in the world of paragliding.
Chrigel Maurer has earned the title of Red Bull X-Alps champion an astounding eight times consecutively, starting from 2009 and including his latest victory in the 2023 edition. His dominance extends beyond this prestigious event, as he has also clinched multiple titles in the paragliding World Cup, as well as securing victories in the World, European, and Swiss championships. Furthermore, he has triumphed four times in the Pyreneean X-Pyr hike-and-fly championships, having won every edition since 2014, including 2022. Notably, he emerged victorious in the Swiss Hang Gliding championships in 2007.
Switzerland
| Chrigel Maurer (Eagle of Adelboden) | |
| Chrigel the Eagle | |
| Date Of Birth | 1982 |
| Birth of Place | Switzerland |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Profession | Competition paraglider pilot |
| Sport | Paragliding |
| Spouse | Karin Appenzeller (m. 2007) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | Go To |
| Achievements | |
| World Ranking |
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In 2009, Maurer achieved an aerobatic world record by executing an astonishing 210 consecutive “Infinity Tumbles” in a paraglider.
Since 2012, Chrigel Maurer has contributed his expertise as an advisor and test pilot for prominent European paraglider manufacturers, Ozone and Advance. He actively engages in coaching and mentoring young paraglider pilots, particularly in the realm of competition paragliding. Furthermore, he offers motivational speaking sessions to various groups and organizations.
Chrigel Maurer’s journey in the world of paragliding began in his hometown of Adelboden, situated in the Bernese Highlands. His early experiences included tandem paragliding flights with his father at the tender age of four. By the age of nine, he was already performing “flying exercises” close to the ground and attempting “small takeoffs.” Upon reaching the legal flying age of 16, he successfully passed his tests and obtained his flying certificate. Although he initially balanced his passion for flying with a two-year stint as a bricklayer, in 2004, he made the pivotal decision to fully commit to a career as a professional paragliding competitor and test pilot.
In 2006, fate brought Chrigel Maurer together with his future wife, Karin Maurer (formerly Appenzeller), a fellow Swiss paragliding champion and World Cup winner. Both excelled on the Paragliding World Cup (PWC) circuit, securing gold medals in their respective categories. Their exceptional partnership earned them the nickname “dream couple” in local media, and they sealed their love with marriage in 2007. Together, they have been blessed with two sons.
Notably, Chrigel Maurer’s younger brother, Michael, has also carved out a successful career as a paragliding competition pilot, further solidifying the family’s legacy in the sport.
