Calais, Frankreich 28/5/2003:
Mission not impossible - paragliding across the Channel

The horizon is hidden behind a grey mist so you only have a vague idea where the English coast may be. Mad Mike is going to take aim and fly towards the white cliffs of Dover. The helicopter reached its final altitude, 5.300m above the French coast. Helicopters can’t go any higher because the engines might overheat because of the thin air. “Ready to go?” the pilot asks. Mike, hanging from the helicopter, his paraglider packed, answers: “Yes, ready to go.” One pull and he falls downwards. The weight of his body pulls the glider from the packsack and within partzs of seconds the glider is completely open.

Mike glides across the Channel. The temperature at the start: minus 15 degrees Celsius. Mike wants to be the first pilot to get from France to England with the help of a paraglider without a motor. The direction of the wind is not absolutely to his liking, Mike has to change the lead angle again and again. His gliding angle gets worse.

After a forty minutes flight across the black-blue sea, Mad Mike reaches the English coast and lands on a cricket field, grinning happily. His longstanding dream has come true. And he has become a tiny part of history.

Before the jump above the French coast.

Landing on a cricket field in Küngdown, sorry, Kingsdown near Dover

Mad Mike on his way back after his mission has been accomplished.

Photos: Hannes Schmalzl (see the PictureGallery)	Video Channel crossing
Paragliding Magazine (pdf)