Thunderstorms Ground the X-Alps Athletes
Press Release / 24.06.2021
In the end, they came earlier than predicted. Thunderstorms tore through the course line this morning, forcing athletes to abandon hopes of flying and to seek shelter from the driving rain.
The lead group were all positioned on Switzerland’s scenic Linthal valley heading south to the Klausenpass (1,948m) when the day’s race clock started at 5AM. Chrigel Maurer (SUI1), Patrick von Känel (SUI2), Aaron Durogati (ITA1), Maxime Pinot (FRA1) and Benoît Outters (FRA2) all began long marches up the valley; their one hope that a good flight would be possible at the top. They were all to be disappointed.
Maurer was first in the air after launching in strong conditions with gusts hitting over 50kph. He didn’t manage to fly far but at least he was away. Next up his fellow countryman and protégé Patrick von Känel was in the air and gliding away, just as a squall struck. Durogati and Pinot were not so lucky and took shelter with their support teams as the heavens opened and the rain came down.
What followed was a classic hike and fly battle as athletes marched on foot up to high ground then snatched windows between the weather to launch their wings and cover distance by gliding. Then they continued on foot. At times the landings could be challenging.
Most of the field followed this same route, but Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1), forged a different line further to the east and south, crossing the Panixer pass into the Rhine valley. It would seem to offer a more natural line to the next Turnpoint of Fiesch, in the Aletsch Arena, but by mid afternoon it was unclear whether the gamble would pay off.
Ulrich Grill, race founder and organizer, said: “The race has never been more exciting or epic. There are six or seven athletes all within 30km of each other, which is nothing, and any one of them could triumph. But it is still early days, we are still not quite halfway into the race, with another week to go before the race ends on July 2nd.”
Tomorrow morning the athlete lying in last place is automatically eliminated. Currently it looks almost certain it will be th e hugely experienced athlete Nick Neynens (NZL), competing in his fourth Red BullX-Alps. He has been suffering from an ankle complaint and is hiking more slowly than other teams. However, determined not to give up without a fight, he has pulled a Night Pass which allows him to hike through the night. He needs to hike over 30km to catch up his nearest rival – a tall order.