ADVENTURE RACING

Salzburg hills host gripping hike and fly battle

By Red Bull X-Alps

In scorching temperatures, 32 athletes from around the world descended upon the picturesque lakeside village of Fuschl am See in Austria today, for the prelude to the world’s toughest adventure race – the Red Bull X-Alps.

Inside the race, things got pretty heated too as the athletes battled for a prized podium position. For much of the race it looked like the Italian flying ace Aaron Durogati would win – he led through much of the day.


Athletes on their way to Schafberg, Austria. © zooom/Felix Wolk

“The flight was crazy! It was so cool,” he said afterwards. “The running up, I didn’t push too hard. I was just going fast, enjoying myself.”But it was local adventure athlete Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) who crossed the line first, in 2h 21m.

Thirty-two athletes set off from Fuschl at a racing pace at 10am. The first athletes arrived at the summit of the Zwölferhorn about 1h 10m later. Conditions on the summit were good for flying and athletes quickly started to launch. The 38km Prologue course took athletes from the lakeside resort of Fuschl am See into the Salzburgerland region mountains. They had to tag two Turnpoints, which included the summits of the Zwölferhorn and Schafberg.

To cover distance in the air, athletes need to find thermals, rising currents of air, that let them stay airborne. It was tricky due to hot and stable weather conditions, but they were soon on track to the second Turnpoint, above the Schafberg. Although he was first to round the peak Aaron Durogati (ITA) made a tactical error towards the end that forced him to land early.

He was philosophical about finishing up fourth. “I took a bad line in the final glide,” he said. “I was at the Schafberg TP first and was taking it pretty easy but I got a big sink in altitude and ended up 2km short.”

Guschlbauer saw his chance and took it – racing over the head of Durogati to take the win, amid cheers and applause from the crowd.

Second across the line was Stanislav Mayer (CZE), followed closely by Gavin McClurg (USA2) who was ecstatic to come in third. “It was a blast, it was so much fun,” he said.

All three athletes win an extra Led Lenser Night Pass to use during the Red Bull X-Alps, which starts on Sunday in Salzburg. The Night Pass allows athletes to walk through the night while other athletes are resting, helping them to steal a march on the other competitors. They also get a five minute headstart on all the other athletes in the Red Bull X-Alps.

The main race starts 11.30 on Sunday in Salzburg and the weather is looking hot. “High pressure and very high temperatures are expected to continue until the beginning of the next week,” says Clemens Teutsch, from official Red Bull X-Alps meteo partner wetter.tv, part of UBIMET.


Off they go! © zooom



Aaron Durogati (ITA) arrives at the summit of the Zwölferhorn © zooom/Markus Berger



Aaron Durogati (ITA) is the first to take flight! © zooom/Markus Berger



Top 3 finishers: Red Bull X-Alps Powertraveller Prologue winner
Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) with runner-up Stanislav Mayer (CZE) on
his left and 3rd place finisher Gavin McClurg (USA2) on his right.
© zooom/Markus Berger



Smiles all around as Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) is embraced by fans after
landing in Fuschl am See. Guschlbauer snuck past Aaron Durogati (ITA)
close to the finish to win the race. © zooom/Markus Berger