X-Alps 13 July - 대회일정

For Immediate Release July 13th, 2013 The race for second place took a dramatic turn Saturday after Frenchman Antoine Girard (FRA2) took an inspired move across the high mountains south of Sion, Switzerland in the approch to Mt Blanc. For the last few days the 33-year-old teacher, who is taking part in his first Red Bull X-Alps, has been racing alongside Jon Chambers (GBR) and Clement Latour (FRA1). It has become the race to follow on Live Tracking. The three have been jostling for position since Turnpoint 4. But while Chambers and Latour both opted for the north of Sion, at lunchtime on Saturday, Girard forked west to fly to the south. It's a gamble that looked set to pay off. By mid-afternoon, he had gained 20km on the pair. "In my eyes, it was a very good decision," says race director Christoph Weber. "North of Sion there is restricted airspace, the risk of headwinds and weak thermals. But Girard is in a place of good thermals, which last for one-and-a-half hours more in the high mountains." But anything could still happen. Meanwhile, up front Christian Maurer (SUI1) looked on the point of reaching Monaco but it was impossible to guess when exactly he would make the city-state. Lying in 26th place, Pierre Carter (RSA) pulled a Night Pass on Saturday so he will hike through the night into Sunday. At the back, the competition is just as fierce, if only to avoid being knocked out. Provided Maurer does not make Monaco by 06:00 on Sunday, the team lying in last place will be eliminated. (Once the first athlete makes goal, there are no more eliminations.) So there's still everything to play for. For what happens next in the drama, go to Red Bull Mobile Live Tracking, which lets you follow the athletes in real time on redbullxalps.com. Follow the race on: www.redbullxalps.com/live-tracking Facebook.com/redbullxalps Twitter.com/redbullxalps More Information: Uploaded every day on the Red Bull X-Alps' dedicated newsroom, www.redbullxalpsnewsroom.com, you will find: o High res images cleared for editorial usage in connection with Red Bull X-Alps o Web clips o Daily summaries o Background info, athlete biogs, route details and more We only ask that you send us a copy or link of the article to zooom productions, Felderstrasse 12, 5330, Fuschl am See, Austria. Image credits should read: ©photographer name (found in metadata)/ Red Bull Content Pool ABOUT THE RED BULL X-ALPS The Red Bull X-Alps 2013 will be the sixth edition of the world's toughest adventure race. It starts on July 7th and will see 31 athletes from 21 countries battling over 1,000km across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco via 10 mandatory turnpoints, in the fastest time possible. Every kilometer must be covered either on foot or flown by paraglider. Each team consists of one athlete and up to two supporters. No technical or outside assistance is allowed. Athletes can race between the hours of 05:00 to 22:30 but can each pull one 'Night Pass' that allows them to push-on through the night on foot. The race requires expert paragliding experience and a very high level of endurance fitness - it's not uncommon for athletes to hike up to 100km in a day. The 2011 edition was won by Christian Maurer (SUI) in 11 days, 4 hours and 22 minutes. The 2013 edition comes on the ten-year anniversary of the first Red Bull X-Alps held in 2003. For all image, interview requests and other media enquiries, please contact: Tarquin Cooper zooom productions gmbh media@redbullxalps.com tel: +43 6226 8848-25 / mob: +43 664 544 9241