Red Bull X-Alps Announces New Race Director

Press Release / 02.08.2022

The Red Bull X-Alps has a new race director. Ferdinand Vogel has joined the race committee and now takes a leading responsibility for the running of the race.

As a test pilot, paragliding instructor and examiner based in Innsbruck, Austria, Vogel says he’s thrilled to take on the challenge, “I’m really excited to become the new race director for Red Bull X-Alps 2023. I’ve followed the race for many years as both a fan and supporter. It’s the ultimate and original hike-and-fly race so it’s a huge honour to step into this role and I can’t wait to get started.”

Anyone who wants to take part in the next edition has until August 31 to apply on redbullxalps.com. One of Vogel’s first jobs, together with the rest of the race committee, will be to select the 30 or so athletes judged fit and experienced enough to take on the world’s toughest adventure race next year in June. The athlete announcement will be made in October. 

Vogel supported Hungarian athlete Pal Takats in the 2017 race so he knows the hardships of the race from the inside, and once had thoughts of taking part himself before a back injury prevented that. He added: “Being an athlete is not an option for me so being the race director is the best way to get inside the race. I’m really happy to take on the job and looking forward to starting.”

Vogel takes over from the previous race director Christoph Weber, who’s decided to take a step back from the race. “I’m very happy to see Ferdinand as my successor,” Weber said. “He’s highly motivated and knows the race really well. I have many happy memories being associated with the Red Bull X-Alps and I look forward to supporting him.”

Red Bull X-Alps co-founder Ulrich Grill says Weber will continue to be a part of the Red Bull X-Alps family and welcomed Vogel to the team. He said: “Ferdinand is an experienced pilot, knows the race and will bring fresh energy and ideas to the race as it grows in the future.”

ABOUT RED BULL X-ALPS

The Red Bull X-Alps is the world’s toughest adventure race. It’s a fiercely contested battle across the Alps lasting almost two weeks in which around 30 athletes run, hike and fly by paraglider up to 150km a day passing set Turnpoints positioned across the highest and most iconic mountains of the Alps as well as in famous resorts. With athletes often hiking up to 4,000m of vertical ascent each day and running as much as 100km on foot, it’s not only an incredible test of physical endurance but also of flying skill.                 The Red Bull X-Alps is the ultimate test of body and mind and only open to the world’s best paraglider pilots and adventure athletes. 

The Red Bull X-Alps was founded in 2003 by the late adventurer Hannes Arch and has taken place every two years since then. The 2023 edition marks 20 years since the first race took place. Every edition since 2009 has been won by the Swiss athlete Christian Maurer, or ‘Chrigel the Eagle’ as he has become known to the race’s legion of fans and followers.