Silver medal for Ben Proebster at the German Championship 2025
Spießer Trophy - Where it all begins
📍 May 17, 2025
First round for Ben and first emotions: 48.5 km run, 5 flights, 28 km walk and 3,300 m positive altitude difference. It's fair to say that the Spießer Trophy did its participants no favors.
No thermals, just a series of glides, landings, foot climbs, and so on! Despite the very physical conditions, Ben managed to keep pace with a leading group of X-Alps greats such as Schugg, Anders and Durogati, not to mention the sharp local athletes.
In the end, Ben put in a fine performance that placed him 6th overall!
Wanderbird Trophy - Keep the momentum going
📍 June 7-9, 2025
We headed for Kitzbühel for the second round, opening with a dry climb straight up the Streif, the steepest downhill run on the Alpine ski circuit. The result: 23 km and 2,300 m+ from day 1. Unfortunately, the weather got in the way and the round was stopped at 10 a.m., frozen in the current positions. Ben finished a provisional 5th.
The next day, conditions improved, providing the opportunity for a real cross-country run. After a good start, Ben fell behind at TP3. Rather than hang on to a bad option, he decided to take a gamble: 350 m more ascent for a more promising take-off. Bingo: he climbed straight up to 2,200 m and ran full speed ahead to the next markers, while others were still trying to extricate themselves. Result: 9th on the day, 5th overall in a highly competitive international event.
A first in WILD2... convincing!
Ben had just switched to a 2-lineglider , the WILD2the day before the Spießer. A risk-taker? Well, perhaps. But the full-scale test quickly turned into a pleasant surprise:
"It was my first real cross-country race with the WILD2 in Kitzbühel, and I felt like I'd known it for months. Intuitive, stable even in the worst conditions, hyper-efficient at full speed. Frankly, I was blown away. A glider that makes you want to push without thinking."
On the harness side, Ben flew with theALP for comfort in the air, precision on the move, and lightness throughout. The perfect combo to perform in such demanding races.
These two rounds of the German Hike & Fly Championship not only tested his physique, but also his mind. It was also an opportunity for Ben to see what the WILD2 and the harness ALP harness... All with a well-deserved silver medal to show for it.
Races like these remind us that Hike & Fly isn't just about flying further or faster - it's also about knowing how to adapt, choosing your moments and daring to make bets, even when your legs are burning. And it's clear that Ben isn't done with Hike & Fly yet.
Congratulations again Ben!
👉 Want to know more about Ben?
Find out more about him here: Pilot portrait - Benjamin Proebster
And follow him on his networks: @benproebster
