Confident but full of respect for the rest of contenders, the reigning champion is looking forward to seeing the Great Wall from above and to flying with the best pilots of the World. After winning the Paramotor Worlds of 2005 (Levroux, France) and the Europeans in 2006 (Leon, Spain), Mathieu is often seen on podiums in Europe or throwing away the most amazing tricks with his paramotor in shows and festivals.
Now, he feels well prepared to fight for the World title again, if the odds are with him –as he told us last year: “A 50% is in your mind, a 25% in the gear and a 25% is just luck. In competition the most important is to make no mistakes, to be cool”.
He will not be alone in China. Some outstanding French pilots expect to take their Team to the top of the World ranking by flying their best. They are Ronan Chollou (French Champion 2007), Michel Touitou, Nicolas Salinas, Fred Mallard and Pascal Vallee, with Alain Barthere as the trainer, “with a surprise staff” tells Mathieu.
-Mathieu, how do you feel about these championships and your chances to be on the podium again?
I’m very happy to go there. I like rice and Asian style, and it’s a dream from a long time to see the Great Wall. My chances to be on the podium are good, and I’m confident with that. Anyway, finishing first is not the first thing in my life;-)
-What is the gear you’ll use this time? And how do you feel about it?
I will use a PAP Top 80 and my Ozone Viper. I don’t want to change something that works very well.*
-Who, in your opinion, are the best pilots at the moment - the ones to “beat”?
There are many, I will not announce everybody, but I can say in the French team are very good pilots, and in England, Quebec, Czech, Spain… Everybody is dangerous, and I hope to see some new very good enemies this year (I’m thinking about Thailand also and Georges Macak)
-How have you trained for these Worlds with your team? Have you done special training sessions or something like that?
Training? A little bit, but I prefer to fly and enjoy, training is not very interesting for me…
-How’s the spirit of the French pilots for these worlds?
‘Veni vidi vinci’, hahaha… I’m kidding; the spirit is: we want to see China (he he) and enjoy one more time in this beautiful community.
*More about Mathieu, including comments on his glider and paramotor: in the interview done by Ojovolador.com last year.
