Red Bull X-Alps
A Day of Highs and Lows at the Red Bull X-Alps
Press Release / 22.06.2021
It’s day two of the Red Bull X-Alps and it’s wide open, with multiple athletes looking very strong up front. The day began with French athlete Benoît Outters (FRA2) in the lead. A formidable endurance athlete, he started hiking shortly after 5am, marched the 18km to Zell am See, then climbed 1,000m to the top of Schmittenhöhe, and was ready to launch by 09.30AM.
Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) had other ideas. Just a few kilometers behind Outters when dawn broke, he chose to hike straight up into the hills to the east of Zell am See, and in an inspiring move, managed to climb – and escape. As Outters, Markus Anders (GER2) and Chrigel Maurer (SUI1) all prepared to launch from Schmittenhöhe, suddenly all eyes on Live Tracking turned to the Austrian athlete who only three months ago broke his leg in a skiing accident.
After a stunning flight, he landed at midday at Turnpoint 3, situated at the top of the famous Hahnenkamm ski descent in Kitzbühel. Markus Anders was next to land.
15 minutes later the chaser group arrived in style. It was quite the spectacle for the crowd spread out along the mountain ridge. First Simon Oberrauner (AUT2) spiraled down and top-landed on a tiny grass patch no bigger than a 20m swimming pool. Chrigel Maurer was next to drop in, almost signing the board with his wing still in the air. Then in quick succession Aaron Durogati (ITA1), Tobias Grossrubatscher (ITA2), Patrick von Känel (SUI2), Damien Lacaze (FRA5) all arrived – and launched again within minutes.
It was a disappointing day for Maxime Pinot (FRA1) who was leading towards the end of Day 1 but made a costly mistake. He failed to top land at Turnpoint 3 and had to hike up, costing him more valuable time against the leaders. His situation now looks bleak.
The rest of the field had all cleared Wagrain-Kleinarl by early afternoon and were spread out along the Pinzgau valley, normally a fast ‘superhighway’ for paragliders, but with considerable haze dampening thermal development, athletes found their flying skills tested to the max – and many were forced to cover distance on foot.
Andrei Mashak, lying in last place, has pulled his Night Pass today, which allows him to hike through the night. He will be hoping it allows him to gain ground on Nick Neynens (NZL1) and Gavin McClurg (USA1) and so avoid the threat of elimination on Day 4.
Follow all the action via Live Tracking on redbullxalps.com.
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