A festive bonus to end another fantastic year!

Set out with confidence to fly, hike and conquer in 2012 with a new Limited Edition Red Bull X-Alps watch on your wrist! In addition, the Suunto Core Red Bull X-Alps watch now comes with a FREE copy of the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps DVD. This serves as a big thank you to all our loyal fans and supporters, and offers the opportunity for some end-of-year reflection over another great year and another fantastic race! Here’s to approaching next year with the Red Bull X-Alps spirit of adventure… Merry...

News from the Wild X-West

The Race Committee (Hannes Arch, Ulrich Grill, Chad Harp) made a detailed recon in the USA and Canada this fall to evaluate the X-West but more time is needed to select a course. The remote landscape of the Rockies and Cascades makes it a very different adventure to the Red Bull X-Alps and will force athletes to alter their strategies. The committee will therefore use the summer of 2012 for route checks and trials with athletes to ensure that any race in North America is properly planned and...

Get your freshly pressed disc now!

It’s the world’s toughest adventure race — and it’s just been released on DVD. The 2011 Red Bull X-Alps DVD tells the story of this year’s epic race. Thirty athletes from 22 countries raced 864km along the length of the Alps in either a paraglider or a pair of mountain boots.

The 52-minute documentary chronicles the exhaustion and elation of the pilots as they battled their way from Salzburg to Monaco. All the action is caught in the film — from spectacular flights past iconic mountains to...

An exciting tour of the Großglockner on Arctic Cat ATVs!

As part of the generous Red Bull X-Alps prize giveaways, an exciting tour of the Großglockner on Arctic Cat ATVs was raffled on Servus TV. The lucky winner? Daniel Stampfer from Mals in South Tyrol. Stampfer was allowed to bring a partner and it seems adventure runs in the family… the chosen one was Tobias Stampfer, his brother. The Stampfer’s spent the day riding up Austria’s most famous mountain on two sturdy Arctic Cat ATVs. When we asked the brothers for a comment about their day, all we...

Register your interest in the Red Bull X-Alps DVD now

If you are suffering from post- Red Bull X-Alps depression and yearn for more thrills and excitement to fill your days, fear not, we have just the cure for you. The exhilarating DVD with all the action of the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps is in production.

Adventure race featured on Take-Off show

German TV channel N-TV will feature the Red Bull X-Alps on its Take Off Adventure Magazine show tomorrow, Saturday August 20 at 18:30 CET.

The show will be repeated on Sunday August 21 at 07.30 and Tuesday August 23 at 16:30.

Visit the Take Off webpage here.

Host broadcaster to show final part of documentary series about Red Bull X-Alps

Tune in to ServusTV at 20:15 (CET) Monday August 22 for the third and final installment of their documentary series about the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps.

The ServusTV team were on site the entire event following the athletes as they raced from Salzburg to Monaco across the Alps. This 45min broadcast promises to show the highlights of the 14-day event which was won by <link...

Just how far and how fast did the athletes travel?

The full race statistics and rankings are now online, check out who flew the furthest and highest and who ran the most (it wasn't Toma Coconea!).

Click here for the table.

The very best images of Red Bull X-Alps 2011

Second-placed Toma Coconea and Daniel Pisica return home

Toma Coconea has returned to Romania, after his fifth participation at the Red Bull X-Alps and finishing on the podium for the second time.

Toma and his supporter, Daniel Pisica, were welcomed by media as real heroes, filling page after page in the country's main newspapers and hours on local TV stations.

On Monday August 8, 30 of the national media met them in person, at a press conference where they had the chance to talk directly to Toma and Daniel and ask them everything about...

Red Bull X-Alps on television in Italy, Germany and Austria

Fans will be able to watch highlights programs from the Red Bull X-Alps in Italy, Germany and Austria in the upcoming weeks.

RAI Bozen will broadcast two shows tomorrow (August 11) and the following day (August 12) at 21:40 and 18:00 respectively.

Next week, German broadcasters NTV will put out Red Bull X-Alps shows at these...

Christian Amon's (AUT2) movescount.com profile receives the most views

Winner of the Suunto Movescount Training Page competition was Christian Amon (AUT2). The Austrian's profile page received the most views between January 1 and the Red Bull X-Alps race start on July 17, 2011.

Nine athletes in total took part in the movescount.com training programme, using a Suunto t6c watch to record all training sessions which they then uploaded to their movescount.com profiles.

Despite the race not going totally to plan for Christian Amon, the Austrian athlete was...

Great behind the scenes shots, straight from the teams' Leica V-Lux 30 cameras

Red Bull X-Alps athletes honoured at prize giving and party

The Red Bull X-Alps athletes and assistants were all honoured at a prize giving ceremony on Sunday night, August 1, at Stars and Bars in Monaco, one day after the 2011 event drew to a close. Former race director Steve Cox moderated the presentation and current race director Christoph Weber handed over the trophies and certificates.

Winning first prize was Christian Maurer (SUI1) who completed the 864km alpine adventure race in 11 days 4 hours 52 minutes. Maurer was also first to the...

The highlights of Red Bull X-Alps 2011

Winning Swiss team relax after well-won race

Austrian flies within 10km of race finish but is denied finish in Monaco due to strong southerly winds

Romanian star runs 80km on day 14 of the Red Bull X-Alps to reach the finish

The race is over: a final day's summary

It was a spectacular end to the race today with a close duel between two athletes sparring for second place.

The Red Bull X-Alps finishes 48 hours after the winner arrives in Monaco. Christian Maurer clinched victory at 16:22 on Thursday, and at that time, his nearest followers were over 150 km away.

However, by last night, Toma Coconea (ROM) and Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4) were lying neck-and neck, around 65 km out from Monaco. They had both flown spectacular flights at...

Race Director Christoph Weber ends 2011 edition

The Red Bull X-Alps 2011 has ended. Race Director Christoph Weber drew the event to a close at 16:22 on Saturday July 30, two days after Christian Maurer (SUI1) won the race for a second time.

Toma Coconea (ROM) was second and Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4) third.

The Red Bull X-Alps organisation wishes to congratulate all 30 athletes on a magnificent event and looks forward to the party and prize giving ceremony on Sunday July 31, 2011 in Monaco.

More news, images, videos and interviews to follow!

Frötscher and Fanderl end race in joint 14th place

Canadian Max Fanderl and Italian Andy Frötscher have finished the Red Bull X-Alps in joint 14th place at the Matterhorn turnpoint, 559km from the start in Salzburg and 305km from Monaco.

The duo are Red Bull X-Alps veterans - Frötscher first competing in 2003 and Fanderl in 2007.

Congratulations to both of them!

Toma takes off for the float

At last some good luck for Toma. A 15min break in the clouds allowed him to fly. Now the mist has returned and Guschlbauer is fighting hard against the southerly wind.

Romanian supporter briefs Coconea on flight to float

Romanian walks with winner Christian Maurer to the take off at Peille

Jubilant scenes. Toma's now landed on the float below and swum into the beach!

Coconea and Guschlbauer could be able to fly to float

Report from Hugh Miller on the Peille take off: the mist is clearing, cloud base is now level with take off and there's a moderate south easterly wind, which means he might be able to fly. There are about 20 Toma fans on take off waving flags, great atmosphere.

Meanwhile Paul Guschlbauer is searching for another take off, according to Race Director Christoph Weber.

It's all kicking off in the top 10 - and finish rules explained

Jon Chambers (GBR2) has bade his time and recently launched to try and maintain his fifth position. Meanwhile, positions remain close behind him, with Makkonen (FIN) airborne and looking to leap-frog over Gebert (GER) and Van Schelven (NED).

Here in Monaco, Coconea (ROM) and Guschlbauer (AUT4) must pass through Peille take-off on foot before either flying or hiking down to Monaco. Peille is within the 3 km cylinder of Mt Gros.

Team CAN and ITA strike a pact

Fanderl (CAN) and Frotscher (ITA) say they are walking together into the sector of the Matterhorn turnpoint. After reaching it, they are going to put their trackers together and switch them off, to share 14th place. What sportsmanship at the end of the adventure!

Fingers crossed, says Aidan Toase

So this is it, the last few hours. Toma would have woken up this morning knowing that reaching Monaco was in his control, this would have re-energised him - but lets face it, he needs all the energy he can muster to do a double marathon, through terrible terrain, in scorching heat, carrying a glider, before tea time!

Pilots further back are dependent on a bit of luck and will be hoping that the weather is good enough such that they can fly to Monaco - a 4.20pm deadline makes this really...

Foggy at goal but good conditions reports photographer Olivier Laugero

Photographer Harry Tauderer's great shots of Max Fanderl and Paul Guschlbauer

They've driven 26 hours from Romania to support Coconea!

Toma Coconea (ROM) will be cheered on at the finish by a crowd of Romanian supporters. We caught up with two of them near Peille take-off. They have taken two weeks off work to follow Coconea throughout the race, sleeping in their car and meeting up with him to cheer him on whenever possible - and they've got a 26 hour drive back home once it's all over!

The race nears its end and the athletes give everything they've got

Will Gadd shares his views on the last day of the Red Bull X-Alps

Every athlete that is still racing has my total respect and support, I know what these last 24 hours feel like, and it sucks. No way around it, you just have to really, really suffer. Soon it's going to be over, I'll buy any athlete in the race a beer in person if I see 'em, congratulations on racing and surviving, no small thing!

I am impressed with Toma Coconea this year. He's flown well (unlike in previous years where his flying was occasionally a disaster), not made any huge mistakes that...

Coconea putting in an unbelievable performance... Guschlbauer waits for his moment. Is this a classic Tortoise and Hare end to the race?

Toma Coconea (ROM) is now less than 25 km from goal. He has been running at around 7 km/h since 0400 hrs.

Romanian supporters have been arriving in Monaco already to cheer him at the finish.

Meanwhile Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4) is climbing up to launch from the same spot Maurer flew from two days ago.

The roads and terrain are very twisty as you near Mt Gros, so Coconea may have more like 40 km to actually run as of now.

If Guschlbauer can repeat Maurer's performance, that would place him on...

Comms difficult today!

Just met the race director, who reports that he has finally made contact with Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4).

Paul reports he is walking and he's just seen Coconea flying, so they must be neck-and-neck...

Toma Coconea is laying out his glider near Isola preparing for a short flight.

His supporter just reported Coconea will fly, and then continue to hike into the night.

Helmut Eichholzer (AUT1) in an orchard

Helmut Eichholzer reports that he landed this afternoon in an apple tree in an orchard. He's OK, his equipment is not damaged, and will be on his way again soon.

Jack Bauer never had it this exciting

With less than 24 hours left until the end of the race, AUT4 and ROM are blazing fast, flying at up to 3500 m and following Maurer's trail south.

There is everything to play for. However, Martin Muller and Jon Chambers, although a long way back, still have an afternoon and a day to make it.

It's going to be very interesting to see where the leaders are at 2300 hrs this evening. Tomorrow there'll be a big tactical choice: hit the road early and hike as far as possible, or roll the dice, wait...

Team USA back on top of world

Team USA supporter Dave Hanning reports blue skies peppered with fluffy cumulus clouds over Martigny right now.

Honza Rejmanek is taking full advantage, flying fast with Helli Eichholzer.

"Yesterday we had Chamonix as our goal" said Hanning. "Today it looks like we're going to smoke right past it".

Before the race, Rejmanek said he would be "disappointed" not to finish in the Top 10, and right now it looks like he's pulling out all the stops to achieve that goal.

Guest gallery by photographer and Red Bull X-Alps fan Harry Tauderer

Photographer and Red Bull X-Alps fan Harry Tauderer sent us these great behind-the-scenes images from his days on the race following some of the athletes.

Guschlbauer off the map, but not out of depth

With a close race for second position developing, Austrian rookie Paul Guschlbauer must be heavily leaning on supporter Sara Gudelius at this point.

Guschlbauer (AUT4), arguably the surprise find of this edition of the Red Bull X-Alps, seems to have surprised even himself, flying in what for him is uncharted territory, and has confessed to feeling out of his depth this far south.

Yet he has persistently been able to catch up and leapfrog veteran Toma Coconea (ROM) in a tussle for second...

GBR2 escapes clutches of GER and NED

Jon Chambers (GBR2) has the home advantage, and is using it well. Chambers lives in Geneva, and has flown several big triangles in the area of the French Alps he's in right now. He has been harangued by Ferdinand Van Schelven and Michael Gebert in the last few days but seems to have made a break for it, flying the south-easterly faces early in the morning while the others still hike.

"I miss it already!" says Nash after just one night out of the race

Steve Nash (GBR1) was disqualified from the race yesterday after infringing a forbidden zone near Locarno. Yet today he is back in good spirits and looking forward to the next race in 2013.

"I know how much I've enjoyed it, because I'm already missing it!" he said this morning. "You'd think that after a first proper night's sleep I'd be over it, but it was such fun, such a challenge, getting up and going for it day after day," he said.

Nash knows there are "a...

Coconea and Guschlbauer have crossed the divide into stronger flying conditions, says Dav Dagault

Dav Dagault gives an analysis of today's flying conditions, and says Coconea is well positioned to take advantage.

Further north, flying conditions are not as good. "It's a cruel race", says Dagault. "the further back you are, the more difficult it is!"

10 km/h NW forecast: just what the doctor ordered

Forecasts for the French Alps show 10 km/h north-westerly wind, a reasonable lapse rate and good thermal strength for today and tomorrow.

David Dagault will be providing more expert analysis shortly, but at present, it looks like just the kind of weather Coconea, Muller and Guschlbauer had been praying for...

Chrigel made it!

Steve Nash eliminated from Red Bull X-Alps for Locarno infringement

Race Director Christoph Weber has just announced that Steve Nash (GBR1) infringed a forbidden zone this afternoon near Locarno. Unfortunately he went beyond the buffer zone, meaning that, as per race rules, he has to be eliminated from the race.

Just yesterday, Nash talked of his hopes of reaching the Matterhorn, and he will no doubt be frustrated with this end to his race. Nash has raced really hard. It is unfortunate that his efforts have been foiled by one small error navigating the tricky...

Eichholzer OK, good forecast for next 48 hours

The Safety Director has just announced that Heli Eichholzer (AUT1) is fine and well, walking in the Zermatt valley, and not flying at 8000 m as was announced on Live Tracking.

"I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the figure" said Jurgen, "as there are big thunderstorms in the area at the moment."

There's a good weather forecast for the next two days in the French Alps, so those who have rounded Mt Blanc are still in with a chance of making Monaco before the race ends at...

Swiss champion takes second successive Red Bull X-Alps victory

Christian Maurer (SUI1) has won the Red Bull X-Alps 2011, landing in Monaco this afternoon. He completed the 864 km course in just under 11 days, 4 hours and 22 minutes.
 
Today, Maurer flew over 60 km through the southern French Alps to seal his victory. He arrived high over final turnpoint Mt Gros, and flew an aerobatic sequence before landing atop Peille to the cheers of several spectators.
 
Maurer was hugged by his supporter Thomas Theurillat before being...

Christian Maurer's final flight to Monaco

Othar Lawrence just shot this video of Christian Maurer flying down from Peille

Christian Maurer seals the deal in Monaco

Touch down after acro show!

Christian Maurer finished it in style, doing fly-bys of the take-off, pulling acro moves in front of a huge cruise ship then landing just a minute ago.

48 hours now for the others to race to Monaco before the race finishes!

Videos coming soon.

Maurer launches

Moments ago Christian Maurer (SUI1) launched from Peille to fly down to Monaco beach. Shortly before him, his supporter Thomas Theurillat took off.

They're ending it the way they've raced it - together!

Supporter intends to fly down to float ahead of Maurer

The leading duo, Christian Maurer and Thomas Theurillat, are currently on top of Peille catching a breath after Maurer's brilliant flight south.

Monaco principality have now kindly given permission for Theurillat to make a victory flight down accompanying Maurer, and they will take-off in the next 30-40 minutes.

No joke: Maurer´s "Hello" was done in practise for in flight messages!

Arriving at the top of Peille, supporter Thomas Theurillat told me that their "Hello" message of yesterday, captured by Live Tracking, was just a practice run.

Maurer was planning to write "CM" - his initials - on his way to Monaco. It would have involved a full stall and flying backwards to make the "M", apparently.

Indeed Maurer did pen a message on his way to Peille. Whether it was intentional or not remains to be seen, but his heart shape was spotted by...

A few words before Christian Maurer prepared to fly down

Christian Maurer (SUI1) top landed at Peille take-off today looking relaxed and surprised that he'd managed to fly all the way in.

"It hasn't settled in yet" he said when asked what it was like to finally arrive.

"Yesterday was rain, today amazing flying."

Thomas Theurillat is planning to fly down just ahead of Christian to a float moored just off Monaco beach to mark the end of their epic adventure together.

Christian Maurer (SUI1) top lands at Peille after his epic flight

He is looking relaxed as he touches down.

He is looking relaxed as he touches down. Seems a bit surprised not to have had to walk! At the moment he's taking off his cold weather gear before going in for his final flight down to the beach! 

Chopper shooting around him as he glides down...

Maurer's pulling helicopter spins and huge wingovers on his way down.

It's very soarable here - it's hard for him to come down.

Looks set to top land Peille.

Looks set to top land Peille.

Coming in now at 300 m over Gros.

From PEILLE

There is a light westerly wind here at Peille.

His supporter Thomas Theurillat has just arrived.

Maurer's closing in and clouds are forming over Mt Gros. There is a light

southerly seabreeze. Conditions better than expected and Theurillat says

Maurer's is optimistic about flying all them way to Peille.

Maurer climbing out fast!

The Swiss leader is taking some strong climbs right now and 32 ks out.

You don't get better than Live Tracking for entertainment - check out the 3D picture of his last thermal entry and exit. Classic!

Looks like cloudbase is around 2000 m at Maurer's current location... it tends to get lower the further south, and nearer the coast you get.

It may OD early as Maurer approaches

The sky over Mt Gros right now shows some early towering cumuli with grey, low bases: the classic signs of a sky that is set to over-develop. 

Maurer is at 1500 m and slowing down after a fast blast south over the past 90 minutes.

Further north, Jon Chambers earlier suggested there might be a "30 minute flying window".

Conditions continue to prove tough!

Overcast 8/8 skies cast a huge shadow on Coconea's hopes...

Toma Coconea (ROM) has made one short flight today and hopes to make another, however he is struggling with fully overcast skies.

There's no rain where Coconea is, but supporter Daniel Pisica says; "after the next flight, Toma will walk."

It will be, according to Pisica, the "only chance walk."

Earlier, Chambers had to shelter in a hut because it was raining so hard. He flew in the only break, and didn't see Van Schelven and Gebert but thinks they must have flown right...

Chambers gets a soaking in Chamonix Valley

The chasing pack had really hoped for better conditions than this.

John Chambers (GBR2) reports rain in the Chamonix valley - with thunderstorms predicted for this evening!

We're going to try and contact one of the athletes ahead of him to get a proper realtime perspective on conditions now to his south.

So much for weather forecasts!

Meanwhile - blue skies and puffing cumulus in the hills behind Monaco...

Live Tracking shows Maurer maintaining but struggling to establish

Well, he's certainly been given the hype.

Right now, Maurer is 61 km out and struggling to establish in a climb. His tracklog shows some uncertainty - dare we say it a little indecision - in his flying so far this morning.

One track shows him drifting back in a very weak climb, while the other shows his triangular search pattern. It is unlike Maurer to go back on himself.

Perhaps Maurer too knows how important today's flight is...

Shocking claim by north European race follower

The paragliding and art worlds have been SIMULTANEOUSLY ROCKED by the news that Maurer's art may not indeed be an original.

Yesterday, Maurer wrote a message for his fans by walking slowly around a field, creating letters large enough to be visible through Live Tracking. The resulting work, titled, "HELLO", has been widely acclaimed as a breakthrough in modern art.

Some critics had even started comparing Christian Maurer to LEONARDO DA VINCI who invented the concept of the hang...

The most important flight of their lives...

This message from a follower in South Africa seems to sum up the atmosphere:

"It's like the flying world is waiting and watching what the three pilots at the front are going to  do."

"They all seem to be taking their time getting into the best position, almost like they  know this flight is going to be one of the most important of the event and they don't want to blow it. Whatever they're doing, my nerves are shot watching!"

Red Bull X-Alps commentator David...

Looking good for Coconea, Muller and Guschlbauer

French big distance pilot David Dagault reports a great weather forecast for the French Alps today with light to moderate north-westerly winds helping to push the ahtletes home to Monaco.

It may storm later but there should be a good flying window from 10:00 - 15:00 hrs.

He reckons it's too close to call between Guschlbauer, Coconea and Muller. In the last 24 hours, Muller has hiked hard to close the gap, and may have the most big distance XC experience of the three.

However, Guschlbauer...

Team AUT4 in unchartered territory

Race director Weber has just been speaking to AUT4 team supporter Sarah. 

"She told me that they are a bit lost, as they have never been in this part of the Alps before", said Weber.

"Paul is planning to follow the Chrigel's route, but it sounds like they're both a bit stressed by not knowing the mountains and valleys so well," he continued.

"Otherwise, she said Paul is physically very well."

Former competitor Tom Payne gives his views on the 'end game' of the race

As Chrigel Maurer approaches Monaco, the athletes will be facing the end of the race that has defined their lives for the last twelve months. Psychologically this will be the toughest part of the race, and it is now that we will see who the true heros of the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps are. Each athlete, standing on the start line in Salzburg at the other end of the European Alps nearly two weeks ago will have had a goal, be it to be the first to reach Monaco, to land on the raft, to  get to a...

Christoph Weber serves an eviction notice on Jan Skrabalek

This morning, in perhaps the last elimination of the Red Bull X-Alps, race director Weber rings Skrabalek (CZE) to tell him his race is over.

Well raced Jan - see you at the party!

Christian Maurer: Paragliding prodigy?

Another day of poor flying weather saw the athletes covering as much ground as possible on foot

A quick chat with Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4)

Paul Guschlbauer describes flying through snow on his way past the Matterhorn, and how France hasn't exactly given him the best welcome ever...

Outside of the recorded interview, he also said that the Red Bull X-Alps routine was becoming "quite normal!" 

"You get up early, hike, fly, hike... I think my body and mind are getting quite used to it!"

Guschlbauer is optimistic about making Monaco. He reckons there's a good flying window tomorrow morning, and that he will...

Team SUI1 take the day off and send a message to their fans

This Czech's not going to bounce... back

Tomorrow at 0700 hrs will see the next eviction from the Red Bull X-Alps household.

And unless Pawel Faron walks 30 km backwards, it will be Jan Skrabalek (CZE) who faces the chop. He is that far behind his nearest competitor.

Before speaking to Jan, I was keen to get some headline like 'Skrabalak scrambles' into this story.

However, Jan has actually accepted his fate and is now enjoying his evening with his supporter Karel.

"We took a risk today, and tried to fly this valley",...

It's been the talking point of the day...

Maurer's message in the fields of France has been the buzz point of the day.

It's done the rounds in the forums and even been animated - check out YouTube here.

Others have taken the joke even further - like Rod Bailey.

But some didn't take it so lightly. One concerned person who saw the message through Live Tracking...

Martin Muller set to become fourth into France

Martin Muller (SUI3) yesterday spoke of his wishes for flyable conditions... they might not have become true, but he is about to cross the border from Switzerland into France.

At present, he is just east of the Col de Balme, and given the time of day, should be able to get into position to fly the south-easterly slopes past the Brevent tomorrow morning. Muller is now a long way behind Guschlbauer, who's brave move yesterday from the Matterhorn has seen him firmly secure third position.

GBR1 are pushing hard and enjoying every minute!

Steve Nash (GBR1) has run several mountain marathons and is one of the UK’s finest pilots. He’s currently in 15th position and pounding the tarmac in wet conditions – with thunderstorms likely to pop later this evening.

 Nash and supporter Bungay have been desperately trying to play catch-up. His experience is that “it has meant you try different things, and it can either work, or fail dismally.”

“As much as I try and not compare myself to others, it’s very hard,” he...

Christian Maurer writes a message for his followers...

Images from around the race course on the tenth day of the Red Bull X-Alps day 10

AUT4 flies length of Chamonix Valley

Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4) soared the south-easterly slopes of Chamonix valley this morning before slope-landing on Le Prarion.

His 21 km flight has seen him almost catch Coconea, who is now both the hunter and the hunted. At present, Guschlbauer trails Coconea by 9 km.

Weather conditions in the northern French Alps are better than the southern Alps, as predicted.

At Mt Gros, it is pouring with rain and cloudbase is around 400 ft above sea level.

Maurer is moving slowly, waiting for flyable...

The next evolution in hiking and paragliding adventure racing is ready for launch: Red Bull X-West will take place in North America in summer 2012

Based on the massively successful Red Bull X-Alps format, Red Bull X-West will be an invitational event where ten international athletes must hike and fly their way over an 800km (500mile) route.

Fans will be able to follow every move made by the athletes in the event via an online function using GPS data where viewers can see the exact tracks made by the athletes in virtual real-time.

“It’s the next step in the evolution of the Red Bull X-Alps,” says Red Bull...

David Dagault gives an insider's analysis...

SUI1 supporter Theurillat reports that Christian Maurer has no choice but to wait it out for good weather.

He is growing tired, and even if he did push on south walking, there are very few places to launch as you near the Cote d’Azur.

David Dagault finished second in the 2003 Red Bull X-Alps. He comments, “For people that don't know, the end is atrocious ... you can't wait to be in Monaco, but the km you have to do are harder than anytime before since the start of the race”.

He says,...

The race continues

New rules regarding Mt Gros, Peille and Monaco

Due to the very unexpected closure today of access to Mt Gros even to walkers, we have had to change the Mt Gros turnpoint cylinder and Monaco final rules. Effectively, these changes mean that athletes must now reach Peille before going down to the float off Monaco beach.
 
1) The new cylinder around Mt Gros is extended to 3 km radius around the summit. Athletes are allowed to pass through this cylinder by flying or walking.

2) Athletes MUST walk through a small gate on Peille...

Up close with Christian Maurer as he closes in on Monaco

The teams still make good use of their Leicas

Low pressure weather, high pressure racing

Immaculately dressed men and women? Check.

Expensive looking cars parked inch to inch? Check.

Poodles brushing against your legs? Check.

Yes, it's definitely Monaco, home to the rich and wrinkled. But what's with the weather?

Rain and low cloud.

It NEVER rains in Monaco!

Must be the Red Bull X-Alps on it's way...

Never in the history of the race have athletes had to contend with such challenging weather. Check out the <link...

Explaining the Matterhorn, Mt Blanc and Mt Gros turnpoint rules

We don't normally answer questions here (check our Facebook page for a more interactive experience) but this question came from an eager spectator in Felsted, Essex, UK, and it seemed useful to answer it to clear up common queries...

"Please can you clear up one query we have? How do the athletes have to pass the turnpoints? Earlier in the race I thought they had to do a 360 round them but Guschlbauer seemed to go just inside a zone round the Matterhorn. Is this why he might be...