Red Bull X-Alps
The Race Takes its Toll
Press Release / 15.06.2023
Seven-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI1) held a narrow lead over French athlete Maxime Pinot (FRA1) today in a replay of their duel two years ago. By mid-afternoon, he had tagged Turnpoint 11, Dufourspitze – this despite suffering from a cough that meant he was not sleeping well and not feeling his physical best. At one point it looked like Maurer was charging ahead but tricky flying conditions in northern Italy meant the chaser pack was gaining on him.
Elsewhere in the race, there were wild scenes on the border of France and Italy at Turnpoint 10, Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, as the athletes Simon Oberrauner (AUT1), Sepp Inniger (SUI4) and Tommy Friedrich (AUT3) all landed within seconds of each other, took a mandatory selfie – a race rule – and quickly launched back into the sky.
Veteran Austrian athlete Paul Guschlbauer (AUT2) was ecstatic after arriving at the border-crossing Turnpoint late last night, after tagging five Turnpoints in a day – possibly a record for any athlete in the race’s history. In doing so, he surged from 12th to 3rd place, albeit briefly. “It was a crazy day. It’s awesome,” Pauls mountain guide supporter Werner Strittl said.
After Maurer, Guschlbauer is the most successful athlete in the Red Bull X-Alps, with four 3rd place finishes since his debut in 2011. “He messed up on Day 1 but since then he’s been on fire,” comments former athlete and race reporter Gavin McClurg.
Another star move came from French athlete Tim Alongi (FRA4) who after arriving at the Col de Petit Saint-Bernard late last night decided his best move was sleep. He didn’t get up until almost 08:30. (The minimum rest period is seven hours, which means most athletes are on the move by 05:00). He launched around 09:30 and then enjoyed an incredible flight all the way to Turnpoint 11. “It was a brilliant move to rest and power through,” added McClurg.
Other athletes are showing the strain. Maxime Pinot (FRA1) failed to keep pace with Maurer in the air yesterday. He pulled a Night Pass to get ahead but after hiking through to 01:00, it only brought him to within 20km of Maurer.
Comments race co-founder Ulrich Grill: “Chrigel is just 16km ahead of the pack, but the gaggle are breathing down his neck. Will he be able to break away? There is a risk of thunderstorms along the south side of the Alps all the way towards Sexten.”
Eli Egger (AUT4) is currently the highest placed female athlete and was on track to tag Turnpoint 8, Niesen, mid-afternoon. She has been enjoying an amazing race the past few days, climbing through the rankings.
Tomorrow the second automatic elimination takes place. Junming Song (CHN) is currently in last place. Unless he can get ahead of Laurie Genovese (FRA3) his Red Bull X-Alps will be over.
Follow all the action via Live Tracking on redbullxalps.com, which is also home to the latest updates and athlete stats.
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