NOVA and Aaron Durogati agree on long-term collaboration

You started in paragliding with NOVA gliders. Tell us more about it!

When I started flying, my father sold NOVA paragliders in South Tyrol. I was 16 years old at the time and had direct access to the scene and the products from the beginning. So, my second glider was already from NOVA: the PHERON – a beautiful beginner's glider, but I wanted more! It has always been my goal to become a professional pilot. My great ambition helped me to switch to a higher classified model after just one winter season. With this equipment, I trained so much that I soon got the next best glider, and so on. I participated in my first competitions with NOVA gliders and quickly landed among the top five at international competitions. However, as NOVA then specialized in other target groups and product segments, I flew with other brands after 2009. But the contact and interest never broke off. In the last four years, I have participated three times with the ultra-light miniwing BANTAM 1 and 2 in the Dolomitenmann and won in 2023.

In the future, I would like to work with NOVA's chief designer Philipp Medicus and his team on a new hike & fly competition glider in the EN-D category. At NOVA, in collaboration with Nicola Donini, there is already a current R&D project in the CCC class that I am also looking forward to. Now that I live in the Stubai Valley (Tyrol), I am pleased about the proximity to NOVA, which makes direct and uncomplicated exchange possible. I am totally motivated for joint projects.

What will the collaboration with NOVA look like?

I want to represent the NOVA brand in the best possible way at competitions, events, and film projects. I also look forward to bringing my experience and know-how to paraglider development. My wish is to incorporate my needs and demands and ultimately fly a glider with which I am completely satisfied. I am most motivated for participating in hike & fly competitions with the gliders that emerge from the collaboration.

What are your plans for 2024 and beyond?

In the first half of 2024, I am fully occupied with my training and a very large film project – I don't want to reveal anything more specific about it at the moment. In the second half, I will dedicate myself more intensively to hike & fly competitions like the Red Bull Dolomitenmann. In the fall, I will start some climb & fly actions, and in the winter, my beloved ski adventures will call me again. I still have a big goal for 2024: I want to (again) try to break the FAI world record of 350 km. Unfortunately, I narrowly missed it last year.

In 2025, the X-Alps are up again, and generally, I will participate in as many H&F competitions as possible this year. I simply like this discipline the best because you are always in action. You can also make progress in bad weather – then on foot. I am always full of drive. Hence my motto: "Great things happen to those who don't wait."

Thank you, Aaron, for the interview. We look forward to a successful and exciting collaboration!

AARON DUROGATI – Achievements

• Red Bull X-Alps: 2013 – 7th place, 2015 – 6th place, 2019 – 9th place, 2021 –12th place, 2023 – 8th place
• Red Bull Dolomitenmann: 2014 –3rd place, 2016 – 2nd place, 2016 – 2nd place, 2017 – 1st place, 2018 – 1st place, 2019 – 2nd place, 2021 – 2nd place, 2022 – 2nd place, 2023 – 1st place
• Rise & Fall: 2018 – winning team, 2019 – 1st place, 2024 – 1st place
• PWC Superfinal: 2013, 2017 – 1st place
• Started professional paragliding career with NOVA over 20 years ago
• and many more

Movies

• Red Bull Peaks Trilogy (The Alps)
• Why Not (The Dolomites)
• Indian Flying Trip (India)
• Playing with the Invisible (The Alps)
• Home away from home (Georgia)
• Climb to Fly (Patagonia)