por parapentenet
A cold front swept across the northern Alps yesterday, bringing thunderstorms, strong f枚hn winds and difficult flying conditions, forcing athletes to shoulder their packs, and cover as much distance as possible on foot.
The first athlete to reach Turnpoint 5 is awarded the Salewa Brenta Trophy. Shortly before 1pm that honor went to Chrigel Maurer (SUI1). The Turnpoint is situated at the Maria e Alberto ai Brentei hut in the Brenta mountains of Italy. Dominated by the towering vertical walls of Cima Tosa, 3,173m, it an area of outstanding beauty.
Christian Maurer (SUI1) arrives at Brenta first and takes home the Salewa Brenta Trophy. /Kelvin Trautman
But that was probably the last thing on most athletes minds as they trudged up hillsides and along roads. The field is now down to 31 athletes after the athlete in last place was eliminated at 06:00am this morning. That was Yvonne Dathe (GER2) who failed in her tactic to race ahead by flying, instead of choosing to take a Led Lenser Night Pass.
think we made a good effort, she said. Reached our goal to have fun. I a little bit sad the race ended so fast for us but it ok.
That leaves Dawn Westrum (USA2) as the only woman left in the race. Last night she hiked about 35km through the night.
Been raining like crazy, she said. went through this rain storm, there was massive lightning. It was awesome! The rain then went around me and I could see the stars. I had my husband walking with me for a while. It worked out pretty well but my feet hurt quite a bit.
She wasn the only athlete hurting. Ivan Colás (ESP) called a doctor Wednesday morning after suffering intense pain in his legs. He was given some anti-inflammatories and given the all-clear. t ok now, he said, feel fine and on my way to Lermoos.
Also hurt was Dave Turner (USA4). He was attacked by a swarm of bees. had to run down the hill. I got bee stings all over the back of my neck, my arms, my legs! he reported on his athlete diary. Fortunately, he recovered ok. fine, he later said.
The seventh edition of the Red Bull X-Alps remains as unpredictable as ever and a serious and grueling adventure for everyone taking part.
Follow live on Red Bull MOBILE live tracking.
Dawn Westrum (USA3) with a race official. /Harald Tauderer
Yvonne Dathe (GER2). /Harald Tauderer
Stephan Kruger (RSA) hiking through the rain. /Harald Tauderer
Tough weather conditions on Day 4. /Kelvin Trautman
Ivan Colás (ESP) given medical all clear. /Harald Tauderer
ABOUT THE RED BULL X-ALPS
The 2015 Red Bull X-Alps is the seventh edition of the world's toughest adventure race in which athletes must hike or fly 1,038km across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco in the fastest time possible. The race starts on July 5, 2015. It's an epic undertaking that can involve hiking up to 100km of mountain terrain in a day or flying at altitudes in excess of 4,000m. The race demands not only a very high level of endurance fitness but expert paragliding experience. The 2013 edition was the fastest on record with 10 athletes reaching Monaco. It was won by Christian Maurer (SUI) in 6d 23hr 40m.
New in 2015 is the one-day Powertraveller Prologue on July 2 which was won by Paul Guschlbauer in 2h 21m. Stanislav Mayer (CZE) was 2nd in 2h 22m and Gavin McClurg (USA2) came 3rd in 2h 24m. Athletes started and finished in Fuschl am See, passing the Turnpoints of the Zw枚lferhorn and Schafberg peaks. The first three athletes each gained an additional Led Lenser Nightpass and a five-minute headstart on the main race start.
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