Red Bull X-Alps Route Revealed

News Release / 12.03.2013

The organizers of the 2013 Red Bull X-Alps have announced the route that will see 32 athletes from 21 countries race across the Alps on July 7th. Any doubts over why the Red Bull X-Alps is the world's toughest adventure race were answered during a live unveiling in Red Bull's Hangar-7 in Salzburg.

At 1,031km as the crow flies, the route is almost 200km longer than in 2011, and will see athletes battling across some of the most challenging and inhospitable terrain in the Alps. As in previous years the race begins in Salzburg, Austria. From there athletes must make their way south-east to the Dachstein massif (2,995m) and then west through the Hohe Tauern national park holiday region where the peak of Wildkogel (2,224m) awaits. Athletes must then negotiate tricky Innsbruck airspace and a confusing Karwendel crossing to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze (2,962m), Germany's highest mountain.

The route then crosses the Italian border and goes through South Tyrol, passing Sulden in the Ortler region, and then heads west on one of the longest stages to Interlaken, Switzerland, which offers no easy route. Then it's south across the Bernese Oberland to the Matterhorn (4,478m), one of the most spectacular parts of the route. For the athletes still in contention the race then becomes a tactical battle but also a visual tour as they cross the high Alps passing Mt Blanc (4,810m), before heading south for the Alps Maritimes and the finish line of Monaco.

Comments Red Bull X-Alps Mastermind Hannes Arch: “This is an exciting route that will test the athletes to the limit. It's longer than in previous years and will require tactical skill and incredible fitness! We're also thrilled to be going back to Germany for the first time since 2009.”

Comments Paul Guschlbauer, who finished third in 2011: “The Red Bull X-Alps is the ulimate test of mind, body and spirit. It's a complex strategic challenge while your body and soul are challenged to the max. This will be my second time taking part. I've been training hard and I can't wait to get to the start line.”

ABOUT THE RED BULL X-ALPS

The Red Bull X-Alps 2013 will be the sixth edition of the world's toughest adventure race and starts on July 7th. Athletes must either hike or fly over 1,000km across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco in the fastest time possible. Every kilometer must be covered either on foot or flown by paraglider.

It's a formidable undertaking and takes place in one of most breathtaking yet also unforgiving environments. Each team consists of one athlete and up to two supporters. No technical or outside assistance is allowed. Athletes can race between the hours of 05:00 to 22:30. But in a new twist for 2013 that promises to make the race even more exciting, athletes can each pull one 'Night Pass' that will allow them to push-on through the night on foot.

The race requires expert paragliding experience and a very high level of endurance fitness — it's not uncommon for athletes to hike up to 100km in a day. The 2011 edition was won by Christian Maurer (SUI) in 11 days, 4 hours and 22 minutes. The 2013 edition comes on the ten-year anniversary of the first Red Bull X-Alps.

Comments Mike Küng, Team AUT2: “The Red Bull X-Alps is the last real paragliding adventure and the greatest challenge out there — it's an emotional and gladiatorial event like no other.”

These are the mandatory tunpoints that athletes must pass. Some are mountains that will have to be climbed while others may involve complicated flying around restricted airspace:

Start: Salzburg

1. Gaisberg 1,287m

2. Dachstein 2,995m

3. Wildkogel, 2,224m

4. Zugspitze / Garmisch-Partenkirchen 2,962m 5. Ortler / Sulden 1,906m 6. Interlaken 568m 7. Matterhorn 4,478m 8. Mont Blanc 4,810m 9. Saint Hilaire 995m 10. Peille 600m

Finish: Monaco

Follow the event on www.redbullxalps.com, www.facebook.com/redbullxalps and www.twitter.com/redbullxalps