Pilot Ariel Zlatkovski completes Project 100 with Niviuk wings

For all these flights, his equipment of choice was a Niviuk wing. Throughout the year, Ariel flew the Peak 6, Klimber 2 P, and Artik R 2 models, which confirms the reliability and high performance of these wings for cross-country flying.


The pilot himself emphasized that these wings were a key factor in successfully completing the project: “They made the challenge doable for me. They have nice handling and transmit information clearly, including in difficult moments and days when conditions weren’t the best. For example, the first week I flew the Artik R 2 I managed six consecutive days of more than 100 km in lots of different conditions; it was incredible.”


His Artik R 2, with only three months of use, already totals 270 flight hours.

The challenge was completed on September 17, 2025, when Ariel flew 100.85 km in Bassano, thus achieving his 100th valid flight according to his own count.


On his XContest pilot profile, 92 flights are currently listed as >100km, since some routes were classified as triangles of under 100 km, which awarded more points in the contest.


However, according to the “Club 100k” page which counts flight as Open Distance with three turnpoints, those same routes exceeded the real 100 km distance, resulting in 100x100+km flown.

To celebrate the milestone, Ariel added a creative touch of trackpainting: in the final leg of the flight, he traced the number 100 on the map with his track.


Upon completing the challenge, the pilot shared his feelings:
“So nice to be done! I might still fly more 100+ flights this season (13 days left and some good weather forecast), but there's no pressure now. The goal wasn't as many as possible; it was 100. And it's done! Such a relief, especially so close to the deadline. Thanks to all who followed along with the project and cheered me on, especially when it was difficult this summer.”

Over the season, the total distance flown adds up to around 19,000 km, nearly half a lap around the Earth (40,075 km). And over the duration of the project, he flew 880 hours, just over 10% of the hours in a year (24*365=8760/10=876). Throughout the project, he not only flew in the Alps, but also in Colombia and India, covering thousands of kilometers and gaining experience in very diverse environments.


With this achievement, Ariel Zlatkovski not only sets a personal and mind-blowing milestone in the history of great distance challenges, but also leaves an inspiring example of perseverance, discipline, and passion for free flight.




Photographer: Matthew Fiddes