Momentum is building for the second Saab Salomon Mountain-X Race

Rob Howard / 25.04.2008

Momentum is building for the second Saab Salomon Mountain-X and the deadline for early-bird entry is fast approaching. The race takes place from July 21st to 26th and teams who get their entry in before April 30th can enter for the astonishing price of only 1000 Euro per team. For 5 days of top class, technical competition in the Alps, including the cost of all meals, equipment and bivouacs it’s an offer not to be missed.

It’s not surprising the entry list is filling fast and already shows 29 teams from 10 countries. There are not all elite teams, as the race format, with daily stages in different sports, combined with a daily trail run, allows up-and-coming teams to race alongside the superstars of AR, and push their own limits in a spectacular location and with the full support of the most experienced race organisation in the world.

That said, the race is one of the biggest international events of the year, and has a prize pool of $120,000 US (spread across all categories and the top 10 places overall), and the big names in Adventure Racing are lining up to compete. Defending champions Saab Salomon (UK) will be back to defend their title, with a slightly different line up, and will be up against challenges from Nike (USA), Salomon Crested Butte (USA) and Sport Lafuma 2000 (France) among others. Last years winners in the women’s category, Salomon Crested Butte Women, are also returning to defend their title.

The impressive redesigned race website already has a lot of detail on the course plans and some superb video of last year’s race, which are sure to whet any team’s appetite. The highlights this year will be a climb to over 3000m on day one, promising views across the Mont Blanc Massif, a double mountain bike stage, a day of high wire action on via ferrata, with ropes sections, canyoning and a repeat of the nerve tingling 30m rock climbing challenge introduced last year. The watersports day will involve white water canoeing on the rivers Aarve, Giffre and Dranses and a whitewater swim, and the final, decisive day, will take teams briefly into Switzerland on an adventure run from Les Raverettes to the finishing line in Morzine.