History In the late 1970s, French mountaineers began launching parachutes from steep mountains on foot (ground launching) and with skis. Modifications to these parachutes evolved into larger, easier to launch wings now called paragliders, and parachute ground launching remained largely forgotten. However, advances in material and parachute swooping events inspired a new generation of pilots in France and America about 20 years later. Foot-launched parachute slalom course competitions known as Blade Running (or Runner ) competitions started in the Western United States in 1996 and continue with the Blade Raid since 2005. An American team of stunt parachutists expanded the sport, making stunt videos skimming mountain slopes in the Alps from 2001 to 2002. One team member opened the first 'Ground Launching School' for foot-launched parachutes in 2004 in California, USA . Later, in 2005, a group of French pilots began experimenting with modified parachute and parafoil kite designs. One of these , Francois Bon, a paraglider test pilot, unsatisfied with foot-launched parachute performance  helped perfect the first speed wing design, the Gin Nano. This evolved into other commercial wings (between 9 and 14 square metres) designed for speed, portability, and a lower glide ratio. Today speed gliders are produced by over 30 manufacturers worldwide. France hosted the first yearly speed flying competition, "Speed Flying Pro Les Arcs", in January 2007, which continued to be dominated by pioneer speed flyer Antoine Montant until his death in 2011. Speed flying and Speed riding requires different wing sizes because of the different glide angles , and launch techniques. Speed flying requires a larger, slower wing for foot launches (between 13 and 18 square metres), while Speed riding involves a faster, smaller, ski-launched wing (between 8 and 14 square metres). This allows the pilot to periodically touch down and speed ride the slope on skis or a snowboard. Safety Because of the high flight speed (30–145 km/h or 20-90 mph), and close proximity to the slope and obstacles, injury and death are considerable risks in this sport. Over 50 pilots have already suffered fatal injuries worldwide since 2006. Also, because of its small size and high wing loading, the wing responds quickly to little pilot input  which makes professional instruction very important. However, the high velocities help the glider remain pressurised and resistant to collapse even in turbulent conditions. Proper equipment such as helmets, padded harnesses, and reserve parachutes can help reduce injuries. Advanced wing and ski training, and thorough knowledge of site conditions and hazards  are imperative to practicing this sport safely. External links Abovethepines: website information (spot map, schools, wing reviews, weather...) SKIANDFLY: website information (has been organising Speed Riding camps, workshops for beginner, intermediate and expert Speed Riders in France, Norway and New Zealand) Video Documentary: "It's Fantastic", Global Speed Riding Video: Introduction to Foot-Launched Speed Flying Video: Speed Riding near Wengen, Switzerland 2010 Speed Flying Group on Paragliding Forum
History In the late 1970s, French mountaineers began launching parachutes from steep mountains on foot (ground launching) and with skis. Modifications to these parachutes evolved into larger, easier to launch wings now called paragliders, and parachute ground launching remained largely forgotten. However, advances in material and parachute swooping events inspired a new generation of pilots in France and America about 20 years later. Foot-launched parachute slalom course competitions known as blade running (or runner ) competitions started in the Western United States in 1996 and continue with the Blade Raid since 2005. An American team of stunt parachutists expanded the sport, making stunt videos skimming mountain slopes in the Alps from 2001 to 2002. One team member opened the first 'Ground Launching School' for foot-launched parachutes in 2004 in California, US . In 2005, a group of French pilots began experimenting with modified parachute and parafoil kite designs. One of them , Francois Bon, a paraglider test pilot, unsatisfied with foot-launched parachute performance , helped perfect the first speed wing design, the Gin Nano. This evolved into other commercial wings (between 9 and 14 square metres) designed for speed, portability, and a lower glide ratio. Today speed gliders are produced by over 30 manufacturers worldwide. France hosted the first yearly speed flying competition, "Speed Flying Pro Les Arcs", in January 2007, which continued to be dominated by pioneer speed flyer Antoine Montant until his death in 2011. Speed flying and speed riding require different wing sizes because of the different glide angles and launch techniques. Speed flying requires a larger, slower wing for foot launches (between 13 and 18 square metres), while speed riding involves a faster, smaller, ski-launched wing (between 8 and 14 square metres). This allows the pilot to periodically touch down and speed ride the slope on skis or a snowboard. Safety Because of the high flight speed (30–145 km/h or 20-90 mph), and close proximity to the slope and obstacles, injury and death are considerable risks in this sport. Over 50 pilots have suffered fatal injuries worldwide since 2006. Also, because of its small size and high wing loading, the wing responds quickly to little pilot input , which makes professional instruction very important. However, the high velocities help the glider remain pressurised and resistant to collapse even in turbulent conditions. Proper equipment such as helmets, padded harnesses, and reserve parachutes can help reduce injuries. Advanced wing and ski training, and thorough knowledge of site conditions and hazards , are imperative to practicing this sport safely. External links Abovethepines: website information (spot map, schools, wing reviews, weather...) SKIANDFLY: website information (has organised speed riding camps, workshops for beginner, intermediate and expert speed riders in France, Norway and New Zealand) 
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Video Documentary: "It's Fantastic", Global Speed Riding Video: Introduction to Foot-Launched Speed Flying Video: Speed Riding near Wengen, Switzerland 2010 Speed Flying Group on Paragliding Forum