Ferdinand (aka “Ferdy”) Van Shelven, “The Flying Dutchman” is returning for his 5th Red Bull X-Alps this June after taking a break from the 2019 race. Ferdy has been in the top 7 in all of his previous 4 campaigns from 2011 to 2017. How has a pilot from the flatlands of the Netherlands become so competitive in the toughest race on Earth? We explore his flying philosophy; his approach to risk; the dynamic with his wife Nicole supporting him in the race; the right head-space for something as huge as the X-Alps; how his approach will change in this edition; the good and bad side of ignorance; some of the sketchy situations he’s experienced in the race; how to follow your instincts; sitting out the 2019 race and a lot more. Enjoy this fun talk with a huge fan favorite of the race!
Show Notes:

* The flying dutchman returns!
* Some sketchy situations
* Sitting out the 2019 race
* Oh the crazy places you will go!
* Pain
* What rookies should expect, and are they ready?
* Doing the race with your wife as supporter and a new baby on board!
* The breakthrough of Ferdy’s 2017 race, and how he’s been so consistent
* The crazy vertical the race requires on some days
* Dealing with the risk of the X-Alps
* Day 2 of the 2017 X-Alps when Benoit crashed and Antoine Girard got really hurt and had to retire from the race
* How much psychological trauma can we handle?
* Where and how Chrigel gains on the rest and the advantage of being out front early
* Best/ worst experiences of the race

 
Mentioned in this episode: Red Bull X-Alps, Zooom, Tom De Dorlodot, Nick Neynens, Chrigel Maurer, Bruce Marks, Skywalk, Salewa, Toma Coconea, Aaron Durogati, Paul Guschlbauer, Simon Oberrauner, Rick Brezina, Michal Gierlach, Benoit Outters, Antoine Girard, Reavis Sutphin-Gray