McClurg later lined up 17 other sponsors, including gin paragliders, Aviso surfboards and Teva sandals.

FORBES: Life

It said Miss Preston had been flying paragliders for two years and started hang glider training in April 2011.

BBC: Glider crash site near Ashbourne

False starts are common and occasionally the paragliders crash into the side of the hill, before they are quickly dragged up to try again.

BBC: Paragliding in Mosul, a way to shake off recent past

He added that he enjoys ultralight aircraft and remote-controlled airplanes, had equipment in his home used for three motor-powered paragliders and had wanted to teach his Chechen friends how to fly them.

CNN: Judge in Spain takes statements from terror suspects

The means of locomotion through the outback vary greatly: The Paris-based organizers of the Raid Gauloises, the sport's most prestigious event, require racers to travel on everything from camels to paragliders in places like Madagascar and Oman.

FORBES: Hypothermia for Fun and Profit