Red Bull X-Alps

Red Bull X-Alps 2023: Athletes Pass Race Midpoint

Press Release / 14.06.2023

The lead athletes today had Italy in their sights after one of the fastest starts to the Red Bull X-Alps in its 20-year history. 
 
In just 72 hours since the start gun fired in Kitzbühel, Austria, on Sunday, several athletes had crossed almost the entire northern - westward half of the route across Austria, Germany and Switzerland. By mid-afternoon they were poised to cross the French section – possibly the most challenging part of the route, with athletes needing to pass Mt Blanc to the west. 
 
“I’ve never known a race as fast as this with so many athletes racing all together,” comments race co-founder Ulrich Grill. “One interesting observation – it’s a bit like a cycling race where there’s great camaraderie in the peloton and athletes work together. In the Red Bull X-Alps athletes also work together to be as fast as possible in the air– but we also see individuals making bold bids to get ahead of the pack. It’s just incredibly exciting.”

One athlete to attempt a breakaway today is the seven-time champion Chrigel ‘the eagle’ Maurer (SUI1). Last night he pulled a Night Pass and hiked until midnight to get ahead. It wasn't just an attempt to steal a march on his rivals – he was determined to be first to arrive in Turnpoint 7, Frutigen – his backyard. 

He duly received a hero’s welcome as he landed and there were emotional scenes as his family and friends came out and embraced him. Fighting back tears, he said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream to be here first. Yesterday I was unsure if it would work or not. We calculated that it would be possible with a Night Pass and the glide ratio [from the Lötschepass] was exactly to the Turnpoint.”

Despite only four hours sleep, Maurer used his two-hour advantage to get away as fast as possible and all morning was leading the field. But hot on his heels was the current paragliding world champion Maxime Pinot (FRA1). Asked whether he thought Maurer had a strategic advantage, his reply was firm. “No,” he said. 

He took a different line to Maurer and by mid-afternoon was leading the race as he approached his home territory. He, Maurer and Pal Takats (HUN) were on the point of rounding Turnpoint 9, Mont Blanc. This is the point where athletes turn around and start the journey back.

At the back, a fierce overnight battle took place as athletes tried to avoid the first round of elimination of the last placed athlete, which takes place every two days. Junming Song (CHN) hiked 74km through the night. That left Ondrej Prochazka (CZE) in last place and he was eliminated this morning. The frenetic pace of the race continues, and the leaders could be expected to reach the finish in Zell am See as early as this weekend.

Follow all the action via Live Tracking on redbullxalps.com, which is also home to the latest updates and athlete stats.