MEDIA RELEASE: It’s known as the world’s hardest adventure race but with temperatures over 30º C, the Red Bull X-Alps, which started on Sunday, might just be the world’s hottest adventure race.
In soaring heat and amid roaring cheers from hundreds of spectators and fans, 32 athletes from 18 countries, including two women, set off from the historic Mozartplatz of Salzburg city center. Their destination is the cooling waters off Monaco in the Mediterranean sea some 1,038km away. In between lie 10 Turnpoints scattered across the mountains of Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France – and one formidable challenge.
The first of them was the Gaisberg peak above Salzburg. The first three athletes to reach the summit were Sebastian Huber (GER3) in 1h 03m, followed by Aaron Durogati (ITA) five minutes later. Third up was Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) who summited in 1h 14m after setting off. After waiting for good flying conditions the first athletes were in the air approximately an hour later.
Day 1 saw lots of action as there is a threat of thunderstorms for Monday, according to weather partner wetter.tv (part of UBIMET), leading athletes to make the most out of amazing flying conditions on day one.
At 14:00 the Race Committee announced that two athletes have decided to pull a Led Lenser Night Pass, Stephan Gruber (AUT3) and Pascal Purin (AUT4). This allows them to hike through the night.
By early afternoon the leading pack of athletes had already passed Turnpoint 2, the peak of the Dachstein, and were heading west, and fast towards Turnpoint 3, Aschau Chiemsee (Kampenwand), making the most out of amazing flying conditions.
After that things could get more challenging, according to race director Christoph Weber. “After Turnpoint 3, it could become more difficult for athletes as they head towards Turnpoint 4, at the Lermoos Tiroler Zugspitz Arena.”
Adds Weber: “We wish all the athletes good luck and a safe race. It will be an amazing adventure!”
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ABOUT THE RED BULL X-ALPS
The 2015 Red Bull X-Alps is the seventh edition of the world’s toughest adventure race in which athletes must hike or fly 1,038km across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco in the fastest time possible. The race starts on July 5, 2015. It’s an epic undertaking that can involve hiking up to 100km of mountain terrain in a day – or flying at altitudes in excess of 4,000m. The race demands not only a very high level of endurance fitness but expert paragliding experience. The 2013 edition was the fastest on record with 10 athletes reaching Monaco. It was won by Christian Maurer (SUI) in 6d 23hr 40m.
New in 2015 is the one-day Powertraveller Prologue on July 2 which was won by Paul Guschlbauer in 2h 21m. Stanislav Mayer (CZE) was 2nd in 2h 22m and Gavin McClurg (USA2) came 3rd in 2h 24m. Athletes started and finished in Fuschl am See, passing the Turnpoints of the Zwölferhorn and Schafberg peaks. The first three athletes each gained an additional Led Lenser Nightpass and a five-minute headstart on the main race start.