A COMPANY director is flying across America on a powered paraglider in the toughest air race on the planet.

James Borges, 35, is using the paramotor to take part in the first ever Icarus Trophy, a two-week race.

James, who runs Property Book UK, in Mile End, started the race with 24 other pilots in Eatonville, Washington on October 12.

He will travel 1,300km to Valley Springs, in California, and is expected to finish this weekend.

So far he has flown over the Cascade Mountain Range, Klamath Falls and crossed the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

James has only been flying a paramotor for a year but has already done 124 flights.

Before the race, the furthest he had flown was from Mersea Island to Cromer in Norfolk.

Gazette:

His brother Anthony said: “I’m the big brother so naturally I just want him home safely.

“But honestly, I think he`s brave and brilliant, ever so slightly bonkers, possibly. We are all very proud.

“He’s always been into extreme sports. He loves doing things that are a bit on the edge.

“He’s doing really well. He’s been fearless yet he’s kept his head.

“James is always pushing himself with physical challenges.”

There have already been a number of accidents and two pilots are in hospital with broken bones.

Another had to be rescued after getting stuck in a tree.

James has managed to avoid accidents, but did have a tough moment over Klamath Falls when his phone went dead leaving him withoutamap or a compass.

He is part of Team Wing It with Matthew Crackett and Jason Taylor.

His girlfriend Juliet Luffman is in the country supporting him.

James has taken on the challenge to raise money for charity.

Half of the money will go to the organiser’s official charity Cool Earth, which works with indigenous villages to put local people back in control with the resources they need to keep their rainforest intact, and the rest will go to a charity of his choice.