How flying cars and jet suit racing are redefining the boundaries of sports.

In a world obsessed with speed, the race track has long been a battleground for the most audacious of dreamers. 

It’s where innovation meets adrenaline, where the sound of engines and the screech of tires on asphalt have defined generations of speed fans. 

But as we stand on the brink of a new era, the race track is no longer confined to the limitations of the ground. We are entering an age where the sky becomes the ultimate racing frontier, and the boundaries of sports are being redefined right before our eyes.

Believe it or not — we already have a virtual reality gates for the flying cars. 

Growing up, I was mesmerised by speed. The faster, the better. Cars, bikes, rollerblades — if it could move, I wanted to see how fast it could go. Yet, even in my wildest dreams, flying cars were a fantasy reserved for superheroes and sci-fi movies. 

Little did I know, the future of racing was quietly brewing, not in the pages of comic books, but within the labs and minds of engineers and visionaries around the world.

And I was a part of it. — Lexie Janson, a flying car racing pilot

When Dreams Take Flight

The pursuit of flying cars has long captured the human imagination. It’s a symbol of our desire to break free, to defy the very laws of nature that have bound us. But what once seemed like a distant dream is now palpably close. 

Companies around the globe are developing flying cars, not just as luxurious gimmicks, but as the next big thing in personal transport and, more importantly, in racing.

Imagine cities hosting grand prix events not on closed circuits, but above them, with flying cars racing between skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, and down the riverbeds. 

And of course — crashing, which is a way less desirable part of it. 

Maybe let’s skip landmarks and historically important spots. 

The skillset for pilots in this new era goes beyond steering and braking. It is a mix of jet fighter pilot and Formula 1 driver. It’s about surviving the G-forces, creating a strategy for 3D circumstances and quick reaction times (especially if another pilot comes from above or below). 

Jet suit racing (Iron Man!?)

If flying cars promise to redefine racing on a macro scale, jet suit racing touches upon the individual’s quest for speed (and nerdy dreams of becoming an Iron Man)

Picture this: racers dressed in jet suits, lifting off from the ground, powered by the sheer force of technology strapped to their backs and hands. This sport requires an extreme core balance and body control strength. One missed move may mean crashing or spinning uncontrollably. 

“Oh, this is still an imagination,” you may say. But it’s not. It’s real:

In February 2024, Dubai, UAE — Gravity.co has conducted the first jetsuit race in the world. In this historical event 8 pilots have been fighting for the title of the first champion. The event had it all: crash into the water, disqualification, a pilot “losing it” and extreme circumstances. 

The final race lasted 90 seconds.

Its winner — Issa Kalfon has left his name on the pages of history for ever. An ex-gymnast claims that his past career path was one of the deciding factors in his training and win. Because machina sports are not just about the machines. It’s about human and the machine. 

Jet suit racing isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first; it’s a testament to human ambition and ingenuity. Each race pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, challenging pilots to outmanoeuvre their opponents while maintaining control over their high-powered suits. 

It’s exciting, nerve-wracking and extreme.

But Gravity.co is not only about racing. Their jetsuit is also created to help medics get to their patients in less favourable spots, transportation and military use. 

FPV Drone Racing — Esports and athletes

But not all the new sports require athletes to get into any type of a suit. FPV Drone racing is a discipline that connects esports with athletic abilities. 

As esports players get their time in the gym for reaction times, cardio, and general health — FPV Pilots need to do the same to withstand the stress and pressure during their races. 

It’s not all about the drones that one can buy in the store. It’s mostly self-built racing drones that can fly with a speed of 200km/h. 

During an FPV Race 4–8 pilots fly the FPV Drones through an obstacle track. Pilots see what their drones see in real time through FPV Goggles, and control them via an RC controller. 

Pilots often experience midair collisions, crashes, and exciting chases throughgout the race. But is it a spectator sport? Yes! In the recent event MultiGP Sharjah — FPV Drone Racing has reached a brand new level of spectator-friendly event. The audience could see what the pilots saw on the screens, but also “line of sight”. And the view? Easy to understand, and pretty exciting. If you are interested in more visuals — check out our vlog.

The Evolution of the Spectator

The sports as we know them haven’t changed much in the last decades, as the human bodies have limited capabilities. This is why machina sports are popping here and there showing that human and the machine mean even more excitement and a new, fresh outlook on sports and athletes. 

As racing seems to take to the skies, so too must our conception of spectatorship evolve. Traditional racetracks may transform into multi-dimensional arenas, offering views from below, above, and all around.

Can you imagine!?

Fans might follow races through augmented reality interfaces, experiencing the flight from the perspective of their favourite pilots. With the virtual reality tracks — the world becomes a stage, turning spectators into an integral part of the racing narrative.

And I guess we are all here for it. 

Embracing the Future

The migration of racing from wheels to the skies is more than an evolution in sports; it’s reimagining of human potential. 

Picture cyborgs…

In this era of air racing, every pilot’s journey, every race, every breathtaking moment reminds us of our collective drive to break barriers and explore new horizons.

As a child, I could only dream of such marvels. Yet, as we stand on the cliff of this thrilling future, it’s clear that those dreams weren’t just flights of fancy (pun intended). 

They were visions of what was to come. 

The future of racing is here, and it’s inviting us to look upwards, to the skies where the next chapter of human achievement is waiting to unfold (and entertain).

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It’s no secret that skiing is tough on the back and knees. The high-intensity sport only becomes more difficult as we age. However, thanks to an exoskeleton dubbed Againer, that doesn’t have to be the case. 

Againer reduces pressure on your knees and back while increasing your leg power output. This simple-to-use exoskeleton can be attached to any ski boot and is made from lightweight plastics. The frame is stiff enough to give you the support that you need while still having adequate elasticity. 

This exoskeleton will set you back over $900, but if you love skiing like Bodie Miller, it’s well worth the investment. Againer is also incredibly easy to use, it clips onto your boots and then is worn over your ski pants.

How Does Againer Work?

Againer is a passive knee-only exoskeleton. You still need to do all of the work when it comes to making turns and guiding your skis down the mountain. This exoskeleton also comes loaded with an adjustable gas spring, alleviating pressure on the back and knees. You can increase or decrease the pressure depending on how much support you require.

The bottom of Againer clicks into your ski boots using a special connector that can be placed on all types of boots. There are multiple straps to ensure the exoskeleton stays securely attached to your knees. 

Againer has soft padding on the inside, so you won’t feel any discomfort no matter how long you use the exoskeleton or how many turns you make. It also has a simple click-and-go mechanism, which means it takes literally seconds to put on and take the brace. 

Who Is Againer For?

Againer can be used for skiers of all abilities and ages. It’s particularly effective for older skiers who have back and knee pain or have some leg muscle weakness. Many older skiers have reported feeling 20 years younger when strapping on the exoskeleton. They no longer feel that nasty leg burn and feel more confident making turns.

A 75-year-old advanced skier with mild osteoarthritis in his left knee recently put the Againer exoskeleton to the test. He decided to make 60 tight turns as quickly as possible while wearing the exoskeleton. He noted that his legs felt fine while normally he’s exhausted after making so many sharp turns in quick concessions.

Againer is also great for skiers who are coming back from injury. Skiing for the first time after an injury can be a daunting process as you don’t know if you can trust your body, and weakness, particularly in the back, legs, or knees, can negatively affect your technique.

However, with Againer helping you out, you essentially get a super strong pair of legs while alleviating excess pressure on your back and knees. With this exoskeleton guiding you down the mountain, you can ski confidently, even if you feel a bit rusty or out of shape. Also, you’re far less likely to hurt yourself when you take a tumble, as the exoskeleton acts as a brace.

Exoskeletons Make Sports More Accessible

While Againer won’t turn you into a professional skier, it does have the power to make the sport more accessible to people from varying backgrounds. It reduces the risk of injury while giving you the feeling of having iron legs. At the same time, you won’t feel any discomfort in your back or knees, which is a common complaint among skiers. 

If you’ve had to give up skiing due to an injury or feel exhausted after just one or two runs, then Againer may be the perfect tool to get you back out on the slopes. It’d be great if the company released a more active exoskeleton that could perform turns for you so virtually anyone could hit the slopes, no matter their experience level. However, the technology isn’t there yet, and we shudder to think how much that type of exoskeleton would cost.

In the future, we might see hybrid skiing events where professionals are able to achieve significantly faster times by wearing exoskeletons and potentially even new events. It’d also be awesome to see amateurs donning exoskeletons taking on pros skiing, competing old school with zero assistance. The presence of aids like Againer can also significantly extend the careers of professionals while making the sport safer.

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